What do Catholics consider works to be? Do we need works? What are works?

There's no official Catholic teaching to what Good Works are. According to some, Saint Paul uses the word works differently throughout Scripture. This causes confusion because there are some passages that inspire others to believe that good works are only vanity.

We're saved by faith and not by works in the law - these inspire questions for some:

• "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8–9
• "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" James 2:14

When Paul refers to good works, he refers to acts that are of a moral nature that are inspired by charity or love. But there are other times when they are of the law.

Schools of thought

There are different schools of thought: Saint Augustine and Saint Jerome.

Paul could have meant that works or done to obey the Mosaic Law - the torah, the first five books of the Bible. These include anything to obey the Mosaic Law. Paul often links these to things like circumcision and food laws.

Sometimes Paul just uses works.

Is it works of the law or good works? In Romans and Galatians is often means works of the Law.

Would works mean serving and providing for your family? Those are normally good works one does them out of love and service to others.

Resources

• Catholic.com search for works

Discuss

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