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Romans 2:6 – Works and Salvation – Ergon
For a book supposedly against works, the book of Romans speaks of works both positively and negatively; of both good works and bad; those of the Law and those of grace; and even those by God and man. It becomes obvious by looking at the various uses that the paradox of works and salvation is solved by considering two revealed truths:
- We are not saved by works, but we cannot be saved without works.
- While we are not saved by our works, we will be judged by our works.
Consider the definition of ergon:
- “1. business, employment, that with which any one is occupied;
- 2. any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, mind;
- 3. an act, deed, thing done” (Thayer, p.248)
We can simply see that being saved requires being busy doing God’s works not because the works save but because they are a response to God’s grace, kindness, tolerance, and patience (2:4) and because we seek God’s “glory, honor, immortality and eternal life (2:7).”
Ergon (2041) – NASB – 2:6 (deeds); 2:7 (doing); 2:15 (work); 3:20 (works); 3:27 (works); 3:28 (works); 4:2 (works); 4:6 (works); 9:11 (works); 9:32 (works); 11:16 (works); 13:3 (works); 13:12 (deeds); 14:20 (work); 15:18 (deed).
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