“Every good work” or “every good deed” is a technical term in the New Testament. The Greek is “pan ergon agathon” and it occurs nine times. Therefore, it’s an important concept for every Christian to understand. Here are those nine New Testament occurrences.
- “God is able to make all grace about to you, so that in all things in all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (New International Version)
- “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:9-10
- “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
- “No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds” [lit. “every good deed”]. 1 Timothy 5:9-10
- “Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work [lit. “every good work].” 2 Timothy 2:21
- “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good [lit. “every good work].” Titus 1:16
- “Remind the people to be subject to rulers, and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good” [lit. “every good work”]. Titus 3:1
- “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good [lit. “every good work”] for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20–21
Summary
“Every good work” refers to the things a servant of God does to please him. The Bible is especially useful for preparing us to accomplish every good work since it informs us of God’s will. Holiness always results in every good work. And God promises to give us everything we need to accomplish every good work. Examples of every good work are bringing up children, hospitality, washing the saints feet, and helping the poor. Also involved in every good work is submitting to government authorities. A distinctive of a godless man is that he is unfit to do every good work.
Simply put, every good work is what we Christians are always about. They are our joy and purpose in life because we know that good works please God and that they are what we have been saved to do.
This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.
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