en_tw/bible/kt/works/01.md

works, deeds, work

Definition

In the Bible, the terms "works" and "deeds" are general terms that refer to good or bad things that someone does, including what he thinks or says. The term "work" also refers to what people do, usually in relation to serving God and other people.

• God's works are all the things he does or has done, including creating the world and other miracles.
• The works or deeds that a person does can be either good or evil.
• The Holy Spirit empowers believers to do good works, which are also called "good fruit."
• People are not saved by their good works; they are saved through faith in Jesus.
• A person's "work" can be what he does to earn a living or to serve God.

Translation Suggestions

• Other ways to translate "works" or "deeds" could be, "actions" or "things that are done."
• Make sure that the words used to translate these terms can include words and thoughts.
• When referring to God's works or deeds, these could also be translated as, "miracles" or "mighty acts" or "amazing things he does."
• The phrase, "the work of God" coudl be translated as, "the things that God is doing."
• The term "work" can just be the singular of "works" as in, "every good work" or "every good deed." But it also can have the broader meaning of "service" or "ministry" as in, "your work in the Lord" or "examine your own work." These could also be translated as "what you do for the Lord" or "make sure what you are doing is God's will."
• The phrase "the work of the Holy Spirit" could be translated as, "the empowering of the Holy Spirit" or "the ministry of hte Holy Spirit" or "the things that the Holy Spirit does."
• The idiom "at work" could be translated as, "working" or "empowering."