Mind, Heart, Works

Jesus searches the entrails and hearts of His people (Revelation 2:23), but then judges everyone “according to your deeds” ( erga ).

Why does He need the internal inspection when he’s going to judge by behavior in the last instance?

That question highlights what might be called one dimension of biblical “philosophy of action.” Works are not simply external, bodily behaviors. Scripture treats motivation, goal, inclination, desire, emotion as being of a piece with erga . What Jesus judges is the whole package, the external bodily action and the movements of the heart.

Or, better, works involve the whole body, heart, kidneys, and livers as well as hands and feet and tongues. To judge rightly, it’s not enough to judge visible organs. The hidden organs have to be brought to light.