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pvj-07: Jesus: Keep the Commandments / Do the Will of My Father

Study Question

What does Jesus mean by "if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17), "not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord... but he that doeth the will of my Father" (Matthew 7:21), and the judgment scene in Matthew 25:31-46? Is Jesus teaching salvation by works? Examine the rich young ruler in full context (Matthew 19:16-26) -- especially v.26 "with God all things are possible" after the disciples ask "who then can be saved?" The "Lord, Lord" passage (Matthew 7:21-23) -- Jesus rejected people who DID "many wonderful works" because "I never knew you." Is the issue works or relationship? Also examine John 6:28-29 where the crowd asks "what shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" and Jesus answers "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

Dependencies

  • pvj-04: Greek Terms Baseline (vocabulary analysis of key terms)
  • pvj-05: Faith and Works Definitions (erga nomou vs. poieo thelema)

Scoping Results

  • COMMANDMENTS (score: 0.73) -- precepts of Jesus include Mat 19:16-19; 22:34-40; 25:34-46
  • OBEDIENCE (score: 0.69) -- enjoined Mat 19:17,29; Jhn 14:15,21; exemplified Mat 19:20
  • JUDGMENT (score: 0.55) -- general Mat 7:22,23; 25:1-46; according to works Mat 25:14-30
  • SALVATION (score: 0.61) -- through faith/obedience
  • RIGHTEOUSNESS (score: 0.41) -- by faith; fruits of

Strong's Vocabulary

  • G5218 hupakoe (obedience), G5219 hupakouoo (obey)
  • G5083 tereo (keep/observe), G1785 entole (commandment)
  • G4160 poieo (do/make), G2222 zoe (life)
  • law-14-jesus-law-teachings (score: 0.546)
  • jesus-commandments-nt-vs-ot (score: 0.545)
  • cmd-15-faith-grace-and-obedience (score: 0.535)
  • cmd-12-love-fulfills-the-law (score: 0.492)
  • cmd-17-if-you-love-me-keep-my-commandments (score: 0.489)

Key Passages to Examine

  • Matt 19:16-26 (rich young ruler -- FULL context through v.26)
  • Matt 7:21-27 (Lord Lord + wise/foolish builders)
  • Matt 25:31-46 (sheep and goats judgment)
  • John 6:28-29 (work of God = believe)
  • John 14:15, 14:21, 15:10 (if ye love me keep my commandments)
  • Matt 5:19-20 (do and teach commandments)
  • Matt 22:37-40 (greatest commandment)
  • Luke 10:25-28 (what shall I do to inherit eternal life)
  • Mark 10:17-27 (parallel rich young ruler)

Analytical Questions

  1. Is Jesus teaching salvation by works in Matt 19:17?
  2. Matt 19:26 ("with God all things are possible") -- does this qualify v.17?
  3. Matt 7:21-23 -- Jesus rejected people who DID works ("I never knew you") -- so is the issue works or relationship?
  4. John 6:29 -- Jesus defines "the work of God" as believing. Does this redefine "works"?
  5. Does Jesus teach the same faith+obedience combination Paul teaches?