The Covenants of WORKS and GRACE

The Covenant of WORKS

Introduction

The doctrine of the Covenant of Works stands at the very foundation of biblical theology and therefore at the foundation of the gospel itself. Scripture reveals that before sin entered the world, God established a real, binding covenant with Adam as the representative of all humanity. Recognizing this covenant is essential for grasping the goodness of creation, the gravity of the fall, the justice of God’s judgment, and the glory of Christ’s redemptive work. As the Apostle Paul makes clear in Romans 5:12–19, the work of Christ cannot be understood apart from the work—and failure—of Adam. Thus, any faithful presentation of salvation must begin here.

1. Scriptural Foundation and Covenant Elements

A covenant is a divinely sanctioned arrangement that includes parties, stipulations, blessings, and curses. Though Genesis 1–3 does not use the word "covenant," the structure unmistakably bears these marks. Indeed, Hosea 6:7 confirms that Adam stood in covenant with God: "But like Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me."

The Parties

Adam does not represent himself alone; he stands as the covenantal representative of all his descendants (cf. Romans 5:12–19).

The Stipulation: Perfect Obedience

God required personal, perpetual, and perfect obedience. Adam was placed in the garden "to work it and keep it" (Genesis 2:15) and was commanded not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). Obedience would maintain his righteous standing; disobedience would incur death.

The Blessing: Eternal Life

The Covenant of Works contains the implicit promise of eternal life symbolized by the tree of life (Genesis 2:9; 3:22). Adam was created righteous but mutable. Through obedience, he would have entered a glorified, immutable state.

The Curse: Death

God declared, "In the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:17). This death includes:

This curse comes into full expression after the fall in Genesis 3:16–19.

2. Adam as Federal Head

Paul’s teaching in Romans 5:12–19 is decisive. Adam stands at the head of all humanity; his disobedience is legally imputed to all his descendants. This explains why all people are born sinners (Psalm 51:5), why death reigns universally, and why humanity stands condemned apart from divine grace.

The federal nature of Adam’s role is not an optional theological construct—it is the only explanation Scripture gives for the universal spread of sin and death.

3. Adam’s Failure and Its Consequences

Genesis 3 recounts Adam’s tragic disobedience. Rather than guarding the garden and protecting his wife, Adam listened to the serpent and violated God’s command (3:6). In this act, Adam:

The consequences of Adam’s failure define the human condition: guilt, corruption, and the inability to render the obedience God requires.

4. Ongoing Function of the Covenant of Works

The Covenant of Works does not disappear after the fall. Instead, it continues as the governing principle of God’s justice. Galatians 3:10–12 affirms this: "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them" and "the one who does them shall live by them." God’s standard has not changed—perfect obedience is still required to earn life.

This enduring demand explains why sinners desperately need a Mediator. Christ does not abolish the Covenant of Works; He fulfills it on behalf of His elect, obeying perfectly and bearing its curse.

5. Christ and the Covenant of Works

Christ is the Second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45). He enters the world under the demands of the Covenant of Works (Galatians 4:4), keeps the law flawlessly (Hebrews 4:15), and bears the covenant curse in the place of His people (Galatians 3:13). Thus, believers attain life not by their works but by Christ’s obedience.

Conclusion

The Covenant of Works is indispensable for understanding redemptive history. It establishes the righteousness God requires, the guilt humanity bears, and the obedience Christ provides. Without it, the gospel becomes unintelligible. With it, God’s justice and mercy shine with clarity: what the first Adam failed to do, the last Adam has accomplished.

 

The Covenant of GRACE

Introduction

If the Covenant of Works reveals humanity’s obligation and failure, the Covenant of Grace reveals God’s sovereign initiative to redeem a people for Himself. Immediately after the fall, God announces His plan to save His elect through a Redeemer. This covenant governs the entire storyline of Scripture, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is the theological bloodstream of redemptive history.

This article traces the covenant from its first revelation to its consummation, showing its unity, development, and Christ-centered fulfillment.

1. The First Gospel: Genesis 3:15

The first promise of redemption appears not in a human cry for mercy, but in God’s declaration of war against the serpent. Genesis 3:15 promises that the seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head—even as His own heel is bruised. This is the embryo of the gospel, the announcement of the Covenant of Grace.

Here, God:

This covenant extends not to all humanity but only to the elect—those chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3–6).

2. Nature of the Covenant of Grace

Parties

Mediator

Christ stands as the sole Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), fulfilling the terms of the covenant and securing its blessings.

Gracious Character

Unlike the Covenant of Works, which depends on human obedience, the Covenant of Grace is grounded entirely in God’s mercy. Salvation is offered by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Romans 3:21–26; Ephesians 2:8–9). Even the faith that receives the promise is a divine gift (Philippians 1:29).

3. Historical Administrations of the Covenant

Although one in essence, the Covenant of Grace unfolds through various administrations in Scripture.

Noahic Administration: Preservation for Redemption

The covenant with Noah (Genesis 8–9) is not redemptive in itself, but it preserves the world so that redemption can unfold.

Abrahamic Administration: Promise and People

God promises Abraham a seed, a land, and worldwide blessing (Genesis 12, 15, 17). These promises are ultimately fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3:16).

Mosaic Administration: Law as Tutor

The Mosaic covenant reveals God’s holiness, exposes sin, and points Israel to their need for a Savior (Galatians 3:19–24). Its sacrifices typify Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

Davidic Administration: The Coming King

God promises an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7), fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David (Luke 1:32–33).

The New Covenant: Fulfillment in Christ

The New Covenant, promised in Jeremiah 31:31–34, is inaugurated by Christ’s blood (Luke 22:20). It provides:

4. Christ as Federal Head of the Covenant of Grace

Just as Adam represents humanity in the Covenant of Works, Christ represents His people in the Covenant of Grace. Romans 5:18–19 contrasts the two: Adam’s disobedience brings condemnation; Christ’s obedience brings justification.

Christ fulfills all righteousness (Matthew 5:17) and bears the curse deserved by His people (Galatians 3:13). His active obedience (His perfect life) and passive obedience (His sacrificial death) together secure salvation.

5. Participation Through Repentance and Faith

The benefits of the Covenant of Grace come to sinners through repentance and faith—the necessary response to the gospel. True repentance involves turning from sin, grieving it as an offense against God’s holiness, and submitting to Christ’s lordship. Faith receives Christ and His righteousness as the only ground of acceptance before God.

Those united to Christ receive:

6. Consummation of the Covenant

The Covenant of Grace reaches its fulfillment in the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21–22), where redeemed humanity dwells with God forever. The entire sweep of redemptive history—from Genesis to Revelation—testifies to God’s unwavering commitment to save His chosen people.

Conclusion

The Covenant of Grace is the backbone of the gospel. It reveals God’s sovereign mercy, Christ’s perfect obedience, and the Spirit’s renewing work. It assures believers that salvation is not grounded in their faithfulness but in God’s eternal purpose and Christ’s finished work. From the first promise in Eden to the final glory of the New Creation, this covenant proclaims the triumph of divine grace over human sin.
(The above was AI generated.)