Does the Old Testament Teach That Salvation Is by Works?

by Matthew Barrett

Does the Old Testament teach that salvation is by works? This is the third question Tom Schreiner asks in his new book, 40 Questions about Christians and Biblical Law (Kregel). The answer is “no.” Notice how the apostle Paul, in passages like Romans 4:1-25, Galatians 3:6-9, and Romans 4:6-8, appeals to the Old Testament when he argues that we are justified by grace alone through faith alone. Schreiner explains,

When Paul wants to support the idea that justification is by faith, he appeals to the life of Abraham (Rom. 4:1-25; Gal. 3:6-9) and David (Rom. 4:6-8), finding in Genesis 15:6 the truth that it was Abraham’s faith that was counted to him as righteousness. Abraham was an idolater (Josh. 24:2) and ungodly (Rom. 4:5) before his salvation, and hence he trusted in God to save him. It is quite instructive that both Abraham and David are mentioned in Romans 4. Clearly, salvation was by faith for Abraham, who lived before the law. Some might think that salvation was obtained by another means for David who lived under the law. But Paul makes it abundantly clear that David also was righteous by faith and not by his moral excellence (29).

Another passage that buttresses our case here is Habakkuk 2:4, which Paul appeals to in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11, as does the author of Hebrews in Hebrews 10:38. Habakkuk warns Judah, even threatening them, of judgment to come due to their violation of God’s law. God promises to send the Babylonians to inflict his wrath on his own people. But, even during judgment, spiritual salvation is offered to those who repent. “Still, in the midst of the judgment that was coming, those who put their faith in the Lord and trusted in him would live (Hab. 2:4).” Schreiner further explains,

Habakkuk 3 recalls exodus themes as it portrays the judgment and salvation of God, but even in the midst of judgment to come, in which fig trees would not blossom and vines would be barren of fruit, those who trusted in Yahweh would find their joy in him. They would look to the Lord as their strength. To look to the Lord for strength and joy is just another way of saying that one trusts in the Lord. Habakkuk acknowledges that Israel had failed to keep the law (Hab. 1:4), and thus their only hope was a new exodus in which the Lord would save his people. Those who put their trust in the Lord would enjoy his saving work (30).

Perhaps one of the most important passages demonstrating that OT saints were saved by faith is Hebrews 11. Here we read:

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

In Hebrews 11 we see that salvation in the OT was by faith. Yes, there is much obedience in these examples given, but the obedience stems from faith. These men and women were not justified by their works – indeed, each of them were sinners in desperate need of God’s grace. Rather, their salvation came by faith alone, though of course, this faith was never alone, but produced obedience that pleased God. Notice, true faith always produces obedience. Schreiner explains,

Noah also became an heir of righteousness because of his faith in God’s promise, which expressed itself in building the ark (v.7). So too, Abraham’s obedience stemmed from his faith (v.8). In the same way, Moses and the people of Israel exercised faith in leaving Egypt and in offering the Paschal lamb (vv. 23-29), recognizing therein that God saves. . . . Indeed, all of those who pleased God in Israel did so by faith (vv.5-6, 33-38).

May we be like Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab and the multitude of others who trusted in the Lord for their salvation.

In my next post I will look at the question, “What is the New Perspective on Paul?”

Matthew Barrett (Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the founder and executive editor of Credo Magazine. Barrett has contributed book reviews and articles to various academic journals and he also writes at Blogmatics. He is married to Elizabeth and they have two daughters, Cassandra and Georgia. He is a member of Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.