An Orthodox Catechism

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus

    Question 91

    Section 33: Lord’s Day 33

    But what are good works?

    Only those which proceed from a true faith,a are performed according to the law of God,b and to his glory;c and not such as are founded on our imaginations, or the institutions of men.d

    1. a. Romans 14:23

      Romans 14:23

      14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

      14:23 But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    2. b. 1 Samuel 15:22; Ephesians 2:2, 10

      1 Samuel 15:22

      15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

      15:22 But Samuel declared: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.

      Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 2:10

      2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

      2:2 in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    3. c. 1 Corinthians 10:31

      1 Corinthians 10:31

      10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

      10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    4. d. Deuteronomy 12:32; Ezekiel 20:18; Matthew 15:9

      Deuteronomy 12:32

      12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

      12:32 See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.

      Ezekiel 20:18

      20:18 But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:

      20:18 In the wilderness I said to their children: 'Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.

      Matthew 15:9

      15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

      15:9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.'"

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    Diff style

    Changes in An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 100

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 100

    But What are good Works?

    Only Those only which proceed from are done by a true Faith, are performed according to the God’s Law, of God, and are referred only to his Glory, and not such as those which are imagined by us as seeming to us to be right and good, or which are founded on our imaginations, the institutions of delivered and commanded by Men.

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 91

    But what are good works?

    Only those which proceed from a true faith, are performed according to the law of God, and to his glory; and not such as are founded on our imaginations, or the institutions of men.

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 100

    What are good Works?

    Those only which are done by a true Faith, according to God’s Law, and are referred only to his Glory, and not those which are imagined by us as seeming to us to be right and good, or which are delivered and commanded by Men.

    Commentaries (2)

    • Zacharias Ursinus, 1587, The Summe of Christian Religion (2 parts)

      What are good-workes? Those only which are done, by a true faith, according to gods law, & are referred only to his glorie: and not those which are imagined by vs, as seeming to…

      Zacharias Ursinus’s text

    • Jeremias Bastingius, 1591, A Catechisme of Christian Religion, with the Arguments and Use

      What workes are good? Onely those that are done af a true faith, according to the lawe of God, & are referred only to his glory, and not those which are deuised by our selues…

      Jeremias Bastingius’s text