Doing Good

I believe Jesus originally preached a message of doing good toward others as opposed to his own sacrifice for sins. These verses emphasize that fact. Also, look at the list of verses focusing on the poor which is certainly a part of doing good.

Romans 2:7-8

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

[Persistence in doing good is the method by which Paul indicates we ought to seek glory, honor, and immortality. What is interesting is that by those pursuits one will reap ‘eternal’ life. This is clearly something other than immortality or else it is fairly redundant and strange to say. Again, it should read more as ‘boundless’ life and the focus is entirely on doing good and being righteous.]

Romans 12:10-18

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

[The focus is entirely on being kind to others]

Romans 12:21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

[Along with being a fairly radical sentiment akin to turning the other cheek, it emphasizes that the battle is between good and evil as opposed to faith and lack thereof. The goal is to do good and in so doing one will overcome evil. The manner of speaking in this verse is similar to ‘do not be tired, but energize with caffeine.’ Many people spoke in this way. The second part fulfills the first. One will not be overcome by evil if indeed they are overcoming evil through their goodness.]

1 Corinthians 10:24

No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

[This is a pretty tall order to focus on the good of others more than the good of self.]

2 Corinthians 8:3-5

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations

[The early Christians were giving to others even unto their own detriment as they were led to do by their understanding of the good news.]

Galatians 2:10

All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

[Paul went and visited the apostles to compare his teaching with theirs to ensure there was no discrepancy. He said there was no such discrepancy. The parting words from the apostles—the greatest focus they had—was to care for the poor.]

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

[It appears that our purpose is to do good works rather than to simply believe something.]

Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

[If we value others above ourselves we will certainly not watch as they go hungry or naked while we go stuffed and clothed.]

Colossians 1:9b-10

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…

[These verses indicate that the purpose of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding is to bear fruit in good deeds for the purpose of pleasing God and demonstrating one’s life as worthy.]

1 Thessalonians 1:3

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

[The work and labor prompted by faith and love are none other than good deeds toward others.]

2 Thessalonians 1:11

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.

[It is unclear if the goodness and deeds is what makes one worthy of the calling, but it is clear that it is at least an emphasis of the teaching.]

1 Timothy 2:9-10

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

[The main purpose of these verses is for women to focus on good deeds more than apparel and looks.]