Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ConceptMerit, in a biblical context, refers to the quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward. The concept of merit is often discussed in relation to human actions and their value before God. In Christian theology, merit is frequently contrasted with grace, emphasizing that salvation and favor from God are not earned by human deeds but are gifts from God.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament presents a framework where obedience to God's commandments is associated with blessings, while disobedience leads to curses. This is evident in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. For instance,
Deuteronomy 28 outlines blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. However, the underlying message is that any merit or favor is ultimately rooted in God's covenantal faithfulness rather than human achievement.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of merit is further clarified through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The parable of the workers in the vineyard (
Matthew 20:1-16) illustrates that God's kingdom operates on principles of grace rather than human merit. The workers receive the same wage regardless of the hours worked, symbolizing that God's grace is not earned by human effort.
Pauline theology, particularly in the letters to the Romans and Ephesians, emphasizes that salvation is a gift of grace through faith, not a result of works.
Romans 3:23-24 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Similarly,
Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."
Theological ImplicationsThe doctrine of merit is significant in understanding the nature of salvation and the Christian life. While good works are a natural outflow of a life transformed by grace, they are not the basis for earning God's favor. The Reformers, particularly Martin Luther, emphasized "sola gratia" (grace alone) to counter the medieval church's teaching on merit, which suggested that human actions could contribute to one's salvation.
Practical ApplicationBelievers are encouraged to live lives of holiness and good works, not to earn merit before God, but as a response to the grace they have received.
James 2:17 reminds Christians that "faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." Thus, while merit is not the basis for salvation, good works are evidence of a living faith.
ConclusionThe biblical teaching on merit underscores the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work and the unmerited favor of God. It calls believers to rely wholly on God's grace while living out their faith through acts of love and obedience.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The quality or state of deserving well or ill; desert.
2. (n.) Esp. in a good sense: The quality or state of deserving well; worth; excellence.
3. (n.) Reward deserved; any mark or token of excellence or approbation; as, his teacher gave him ten merits.
4. (n.) To earn by service or performance; to have a right to claim as reward; to deserve; sometimes, to deserve in a bad sense; as, to merit punishment.
5. (n.) To reward.
6. (v. i.) To acquire desert; to gain value; to receive benefit; to profit.
Greek
379. anapologetos -- without excuse... 379 () then refers to something that completely lacks
merit. [379 () comes
from " privative" ("not") and ("to defend, excuse").
...Library
OfMerit (Ten Articles)
... OFMERIT (TEN ARTICLES). We must now considermerit, which is the effect of cooperating
grace; and under this head there are ten points of inquiry:...
The Existence ofMerit
... Chapter I. The Nature Of Actual Grace Section 1. The Existence OfMerit.
1. HERETICAL ERRORS AND THE TEACHING OF THE CHURCH."a) The...
The Requisites ofMerit
... Chapter I. The Nature Of Actual Grace Section 2. The Requisites OfMerit.
As we are dealing with the "fruits of justification," it...
The Objects ofMerit
... Chapter I. The Nature Of Actual Grace Section 3. The Objects OfMerit. After
defining the existence ofmerit the Tridentine Council...
Whether a Man MayMerit Perseverance?
... OFMERIT (TEN ARTICLES) Whether a man maymerit perseverance? Objection
1: It would seem that anyone maymerit perseverance. For...
Whether Grace is the Principle ofMerit through Charity Rather...
... OFMERIT (TEN ARTICLES) Whether grace is the principle ofmerit through charity
rather than the other virtues? Objection 1: It would...
Whether a Man CanMerit the First Grace for Another
... Article Six Whether a Man canMerit the First Grace for Another. Whether a Man can
Merit the First Grace for Another We proceed to the sixth article thus:...
Whether a Man MayMerit the Increase of Grace or Charity?
... OFMERIT (TEN ARTICLES) Whether a man maymerit the increase of grace or
charity? Objection 1: It would seem that a man cannotmerit...
Whether a Man MayMerit for Himself the First Grace?
... OFMERIT (TEN ARTICLES) Whether a man maymerit for himself the first grace?
Objection... grace. Therefore a man maymerit the first grace....
Whether Christ couldMerit for Others?
... OF THE UNITY OF CHRIST'S OPERATION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether Christ couldmerit for
others? Objection 1: It would seem that Christ could notmerit for others....
Thesaurus
Merit (5 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) To earn by service or performance; to have a right to claim as reward; to
deserve; sometimes, to deserve in a bad sense; as, to
merit punishment.
...Justice (212 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Conformity to truth and reality in expressing opinions and in conduct; fair
representation of facts respectingmerit or demerit; honesty; fidelity...
Superior (18 Occurrences)
... Higher or greater in excellence; surpassing others in the greatness, or value of
any quality; greater in quality or degree; as, a man of superiormerit; or of...
Biblical
... Thismerit belonged to Gabler (1787), who urged a purely historical treatment of
the Bible, and was, later, shared by his colleague, GL Bauer, who issued a...
Phoenicians
... and Boaz, the molten sea, the bases, layers and other articles cast by Hiram of
Tyre for the temple of Solomon must have exhibited considerable artisticmerit....
Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)
... and Boaz, the molten sea, the bases, layers and other articles cast by Hiram of
Tyre for the temple of Solomon must have exhibited considerable artisticmerit....
Faithfulness (91 Occurrences)
... help to His people (Psalm 31:5 (Hebrew 6)). Accordingly in the teaching of prophecy,
the salvation of the covenant people rests upon no claim ormerit of their...
Election (6 Occurrences)
... of God according to election might stand." In the whole passage the gravest stress
is laid upon the isolation of the "election" from themerit or demerit of...
Faithful (136 Occurrences)
... help to His people (Psalm 31:5 (Hebrew 6)). Accordingly in the teaching of prophecy,
the salvation of the covenant people rests upon no claim ormerit of their...
Imputation
... By the righteousness of Christ Paul means Christ's legal status, or themerit acquired
by all that He did in satisfying the demands of God's law, including...
Resources
What is the treasury of merit? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are meritorious works in Catholicism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are indulgences and plenary indulgences and is the concept biblical? | GotQuestions.orgMerit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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