God's dealings with people are always in harmony with his grace and his justice, hating evil and loving good. No gift of God is on the basis of merit, but on the basis of his faithfulness to his promises.
God's reward is in harmony with his character
His graciousness
Romans 4:4–5 See also Psalm 103:10; Matthew 20:14–15; Luke 17:7–10; Romans 11:6–7; Ephesians 2:8–10
Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.
His justice
Romans 2:6–11 See also Deuteronomy 28:1–2 blessings for obedience; Deuteronomy 28:15 curses for disobedience; Psalm 19:9–11, Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 13:21, Proverbs 14:14; Jeremiah 17:10, Jeremiah 32:19; 1 Corinthians 3:8; 2 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 6:7–9; Ephesians 6:8; Colossians 3:25
God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” To those who by perseverance 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 wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, first for the Jew, then for the Greek. For God does not show favoritism.
The reward of the ungodly
Romans 6:23 See also Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 7:9–10; Proverbs 22:22–23; Isaiah 13:11, Isaiah 26:21, Isaiah 59:18, Isaiah 65:6–7, Isaiah 66:6; Ezekiel 7:4, Ezekiel 9:10, Ezekiel 11:21; Hosea 9:7; Zephaniah 1:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:6; Hebrews 2:1–2
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The reward of the godly
God's treatment of the righteous
Romans 8:17–18 See also Exodus 19:5; Ruth 2:12; 2 Samuel 22:25 parallels Psalm 18:20, Psalm 18:24; 1 Kings 3:14; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Psalm 19:9–11, Psalm 58:11; Proverbs 11:18, Proverbs 11:28, Proverbs 13:21, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 31:31; Isaiah 62:10–12; Jeremiah 31:16; Matthew 5:12; Luke 6:34–35; 1 Corinthians 2:9–10; James 1:25
And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.
The example of Jesus Christ
Philippians 2:8–11 See also Hebrews 12:2–3
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Apparent unfair treatment of the godly
Psalm 73:13–14 See also Job 1:1, Job 2:11–13, Job 9:29–31; Isaiah 49:4; Habakkuk 1:12–13; Matthew 5:10; 2 Timothy 3:12
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands. For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.