Revelation 20:12

20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then ¹  books were opened, and another book was opened – the book of life. ²  So ³  the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. ⁴ 

Matthew 16:27

16:27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. ⁵ 

Romans 2:6-11

2:6 He ⁶  will reward ⁷  each one according to his works: ⁸  2:7 eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality, 2:8 but ⁹  wrath and anger to those who live in selfish ambition ¹⁰  and do not obey the truth but follow ¹¹  unrighteousness. 2:9 There will be ¹²  affliction and distress on everyone ¹³  who does evil, on the Jew first and also the Greek, ¹⁴  2:10 but ¹⁵  glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, for the Jew first and also the Greek. 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.

Romans 14:12

14:12 Therefore, each of us will give an account of himself to God. ¹⁶ 

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.

² tn Grk “another book was opened, which is of life.”

³ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the books being opened.

⁴ tn Grk “from the things written in the books according to their works.”

⁵ sn An allusion to Pss 28:4; 62:12; cf. Prov 24:12.

⁶ tn Grk “who.” The relative pronoun was converted to a personal pronoun and, because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

⁷ tn Or “will render,” “will recompense.” In this context Paul is setting up a hypothetical situation, not stating that salvation is by works.

⁸ sn A quotation from Ps 62:12; Prov 24:12; a close approximation to Matt 16:27.

⁹ tn This contrast is clearer and stronger in Greek than can be easily expressed in English.

¹⁰ tn Grk “those who [are] from selfish ambition.”

¹¹ tn Grk “are persuaded by, obey.”

¹² tn No verb is expressed in this verse, but the verb “to be” is implied by the Greek construction. Literally “suffering and distress on everyone…”

¹³ tn Grk “every soul of man.”

¹⁴ sn Paul uses the term Greek here and in v. 10 to refer to non-Jews, i.e., Gentiles.

¹⁵ tn Grk “but even,” to emphasize the contrast. The second word has been omitted since it is somewhat redundant in English idiom.

¹⁶ tc ‡ The words “to God” are absent from some mss (B F G 6 630 1739 1881 pc) but are found in א A C D Ψ 0209 33 Ï lat sy co. External evidence somewhat favors their inclusion since Alexandrian, Western, and Byzantine mss are well represented. From an internal standpoint, however, it is easy to see the words as a scribal gloss intended to clarify the referent, especially as a reinforcement to the quotation of Isa 45:23 in v. 11. Not only that, but the abrupt ending of the verse without “to God” is harsh, both in Greek and in English. In this instance, the internal considerations seem overwhelming on the side of the omission. At the same time, English stylistic needs require the words and they have been put into the translation, even though they are most likely not original. NA²⁷ places the words in brackets, indicating doubt as to their authenticity.