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pvj-07 Analysis

Analytical Questions

1. Is Jesus teaching salvation by works in Matt 19:17?

The text states "if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" (Mat 19:17). In isolation, this could be read as a works-based salvation requirement. However, the full context of v.16-26 shows: - The young man claims to have kept the commandments (v.20) - Jesus demands more: total surrender of possessions + "follow me" (v.21) - The man fails and goes away sorrowful (v.22) - Jesus declares it impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom (v.23-24) - The disciples ask "who then can be saved?" (v.25) - Jesus answers "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" (v.26)

The narrative arc moves from "keep the commandments" through human failure to divine enablement. Jesus's final word on the subject is not "try harder" but "with God all things are possible."

2. Does Matt 19:26 qualify v.17?

Yes, the passage is a unified pericope. The question "who then can be saved?" (v.25) arises directly from the impossibility Jesus described. Jesus's response ("with God all things are possible") is his answer to the salvation question. Mark 10:24 adds the specification "them that trust in riches" -- the obstacle is trust in wealth rather than trust in God.

3. Matt 7:21-23 -- Works or relationship?

Jesus rejects people who DID works: - Prophesied in his name - Cast out devils in his name - Done many wonderful works in his name

The basis of rejection: "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (v.23). Two grounds are stated: (a) absent relationship ("never knew"), (b) present iniquity ("work iniquity"). The rejected had religious performance without genuine relationship. This parallels Paul's "form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (2 Tim 3:5).

4. John 6:29 -- Does Jesus redefine "works"?

When asked "what shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" Jesus answers "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Jesus takes the question about works (erga) and identifies the foundational "work" as believing (pisteuo). This is directly relevant to the Paul-Jesus comparison: Jesus himself identifies believing as the primary "work."

5. Does Jesus teach the same faith+obedience combination Paul teaches?

From pvj-04: Both use entole (G1785) with the same directive -- keep the commandments. From pvj-05: Paul's "erga nomou" and Jesus's "poieo thelema" are different vocabulary for different contexts.

This study adds: - Jesus: believe (Jhn 6:29) + keep commandments from love (Jhn 14:15) + impossible without God (Mat 19:26) - Paul: faith (Rom 3:28) + faith worketh by love (Gal 5:6) + created unto good works (Eph 2:10)

Both present: (a) faith/believing as primary, (b) love as the dynamic, (c) obedience as the fruit, (d) divine enablement as necessary.

Key Findings

  1. Jesus never presents commandment-keeping in isolation from love-relationship (Jhn 14:15, Mat 22:37-40)
  2. Jesus explicitly rejects works-without-relationship (Mat 7:22-23)
  3. Jesus himself defines "the work of God" as believing (Jhn 6:29)
  4. Jesus concludes the rich young ruler narrative with divine enablement, not human achievement (Mat 19:26)
  5. The sheep in Mat 25 were surprised -- their compassion was character, not calculated merit
  6. Paul affirms both sides: not justified by works (Rom 3:28) AND created unto good works (Eph 2:10)