Plain-language reading guide
READING HELP
Read this chapter alongside the Confession chapter on the same subject. The Testimony states what the church teaches, applies that teaching, and identifies views it rejects. Read each statement with its Scripture proofs and the surrounding paragraphs.
To find explicit rejections in this chapter, go to point 2, point 3. Read each full point to see exactly which teaching is rejected.
This reading guide is separate from the official text below.
Read the official text, or choose a simpler explanation to explore together.
Westminster Confession
1. Good works are only such as God hath commanded in His holy Word, and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intention.
Scripture proofs: Mic. 6:8; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 13:21; Matt. 15:9; Isa. 29:13; 1 Pet. 1:18; Rom. 10: 2; John 16:2; 1 Sam. 15:21-23.
2. These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the Gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto; that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life.
Scripture proofs: Jas. 2:18, 22; Ps. 116:12-13; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 John 2:3, 5; 2 Pet. 1:5-10; 2 Cor. 9:2; Matt. 5:16; Titus 2:5, 9-12; 1 Tim. 6:1; 1 Pet. 2:15; 1 Pet. 2:12; Phil. 1:11; John 15:8; Eph. 2:10; Rom. 6:22.
3. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. And that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will and to do of His good pleasure: yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.
Scripture proofs: John 15:4-5; Ezek. 36:26-27; Phil. 2:13; Phil. 4:13; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 2:12; Heb. 6:11-12; 2 Pet. 1:3, 5, 10-11; Isa. 64:7; 2 Tim. 1:6; Acts 26:6-7; Jude 1:20-21.
4. They, who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.
Scripture proofs: Luke 17:10; Neh. 13:22; Job 9:2-3; Gal. 5:17.
5. We cannot, by our best works, merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom, by them, we can neither profit, nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins, but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants; and because, as they are good, they proceed from His Spirit; and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled, and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God’s judgment.
Scripture proofs: Rom. 3:20; Rom. 4:2, 4, 6; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 8:18; Ps. 16:2; Job 22:2-3; Job 35:7-8; Luke 17:10; Gal. 5: 22-23; Isa. 64:6; Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:15, 18; Ps. 143:2; Ps. 130:3.
6. Yet notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in Him, not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovable in God’s sight; but that He, looking upon them in His Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.
Scripture proofs: Eph. 1:6; 1 Pet. 2:5; Ex. 28:38; Gen. 4: 4 with Heb. 11:4; Job 9:20; Ps. 143:2; Heb. 13:20-21; 2 Cor. 8:12; Heb. 6:10; Matt. 25:21, 23.
7. Works done by unregenerate men, although, for the matter of them, they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others: yet, because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God; they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God. And yet, their neglect of them is more sinful, and displeasing unto God.
Scripture proofs: 2 Kings 10:30-31; 1 Kings 21:27, 29; Phil. 1:15-16, 18; Gen. 4:5 with Heb. 11:4, 6; 1 Cor. 13:3; Isa. 1:12; Matt. 6: 2, 5, 16; Hag. 2:14; Titus 1:15; Amos 5:21-22; Hos. 1:4; Rom. 9:16; Titus 3:5; Ps. 14:4; Ps. 36:3; Job 21:14-15; Matt. 25:41-43, 45; Matt. 23:23.
Words to know
- Good works
- Actions God commands, done in faith, love, and obedience for his glory.
- Merit
- To earn a reward; our works cannot earn forgiveness or eternal life.
WCF 16.1 · God tells us what is good
Good works are actions God commands in Scripture. We cannot invent duties and call them pleasing to God merely because we are enthusiastic or have good intentions. His Word, rather than our imagination, sets the standard.
Micah 6:8; Romans 12:2; Hebrews 13:21.
Can good intentions make a wrong action right?
WCF 16.2 · Good works show living faith
Obedience is the fruit and evidence of real faith. It thanks God, encourages believers, strengthens assurance, honors the gospel, and answers accusations. God made us new in Christ for this holy life. Good works grow from salvation; they do not purchase it.
James 2:18; Psalm 116:12-13; 1 Peter 2:9.
What does fruit show about a living tree?
WCF 16.3 · Depend on the Spirit and act
Our ability to do good comes from Christ’s Spirit. We need his continuing help even after receiving new life. Yet we should not wait lazily for a special feeling before obeying. We are responsible to use God’s gifts diligently and do the duties we already know.
John 15:4-5; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Philippians 2:13.
Should you wait for a special feeling before doing what God commands?
WCF 16.4 · We never do more than we owe
Even the most obedient Christian falls short of what God requires during this life. No one builds up extra goodness beyond their duty that can be stored or given to someone else. We all depend on grace.
Luke 17:10; Nehemiah 13:22; Job 9:2-3.
Can someone earn a surplus of goodness beyond what God requires?
WCF 16.5 · Our best deeds cannot earn heaven
Even our best works cannot earn pardon or eternal life. We owe obedience already, and God receives no needed benefit from us. The good in our works comes from his Spirit, while our weakness mixes them with sin. They cannot pay our debt or withstand his perfect judgment.
Romans 3:20; Romans 4:2; Ephesians 2:8-9.
Why can even our best work not pay for our sins?
WCF 16.6 · God delights in sincere obedience
God accepts believers through Christ, and he also accepts their sincere good works through Christ. Their works are not perfect. Yet as their Father, he is pleased to receive and reward the genuine obedience he sees, despite its weakness. His acceptance encourages us to serve him.
Ephesians 1:6; 1 Peter 2:5; Exodus 28:38.
Can God be pleased with sincere obedience that is still imperfect?
WCF 16.7 · Helpful actions still need a changed heart
People without new spiritual life can do things that are useful and outwardly match God’s commands. Yet without faith, obedience to his Word, and a desire for his glory, those works do not please him or prepare someone to earn grace. Neglecting the good they should do is still worse. Everyone needs both right actions and a heart turned to God.
2 Kings 10:30-31; 1 Kings 21:27; Philippians 1:15-16.
Why does God care about our motives as well as our actions?
1. Good works, while not a means of salvation, are required of believers as a testimony to God’s grace, as evidence of regeneration and as a blessing to mankind. Matt. 5:16; Eph. 2:10; Titus 3:8-14.
2. We reject the notion that sincerity of performance, or the declaration of a church, can make any act a “good work.” Rom. 10:2; Matt. 15:9.
3. We reject the idea that we, by good works, can win favor with God, either for ourselves or for others. Rom. 3:20; Isa. 64:6.
4. By God’s grace, many unregenerate men have generous impulses and may lead outwardly moral lives. Yet good works are only those things done in obedience to His revealed will, out of sincere love for Him and desire to serve Him. The Christian may work with unbelievers in seeking the good of society, but his chief motive should be the glory of God. Christians should avoid any voluntary association in which they cannot maintain a consistent testimony for Christ. Rom. 14:23; Eph. 2:10; John 15:5; Rom. 12:1-2.
Words to know
- Good works
- Actions God commands, done in faith, love, and obedience for his glory.
- Merit
- To earn a reward; our works cannot earn forgiveness or eternal life.
- Rejects
- Says that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.
Testimony 16.1
Good works do not save us. They are required as evidence of new life, a witness to God’s grace, and a benefit to others.
Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 16.2
The Testimony rejects the idea that sincerity or church approval can make an action good when it does not conform to God’s will.
Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 16.3
The Testimony rejects trying to earn God’s favor for ourselves or others through our deeds.
Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 16.4
People who do not believe in Christ can still do things that help others. But pleasing God requires faith, love for him, and obedience. Christians may work with others to help their neighbors while remaining faithful to Christ.
Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →Source: The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, updated 2026, A-48, A-49, A-50, A-51.