The New Testament presents "good works" as the practical outworking of faith — actions that flow from love for God and neighbour. While Paul is clear that such works don't earn salvation (Ephesians 2:8–9), believers are "created in Christ Jesus for good works" (Ephesians 2:10), and James insists that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26).
The good works most often emphasised fall into several broad areas:
Care for the vulnerable
Jesus' parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31–46) names feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting prisoners. James 1:27 defines pure religion as visiting orphans and widows in their distress.
Generosity
Giving to the poor (Matthew 6:1–4), sharing possessions (Acts 2:44–45; 4:32–35), being "rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share" (1 Timothy 6:18), and supporting fellow believers in need (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:16).
Hospitality
Welcoming strangers and travellers (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9; Hebrews 13:2).
Love, forgiveness, and peacemaking
Loving enemies and praying for persecutors (Matthew 5:44), forgiving others (Matthew 6:14–15; Colossians 3:13), turning the other cheek, being a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9), and overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:21).
Honest labour and integrity
Working diligently to provide for oneself and have something to share (Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10), paying what is owed (Romans 13:7), and dealing truthfully.
Bearing one another's burdens within the community
Encouraging, teaching, admonishing, and building up fellow believers (Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 10:24–25; Colossians 3:16).
Witness and proclamation
Letting one's light shine so others "see your good works and give glory to your Father" (Matthew 5:16), and making disciples (Matthew 28:19–20).
Inner character expressed outwardly
The "fruit of the Spirit" — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23) — is the soil from which the visible works grow.
A consistent thread is that these works are not meant to be performed for human applause (Matthew 6:1–18) but as the natural fruit of a life shaped by Christ.