If Scripture says that no one does good, are the good deeds of unbelievers really good at all? It is a question that surfaces regularly—sometimes in theological debate, sometimes in pastoral conversations, and often quietly in the conscience of many thoughtful Christians. After all, the Bible seems uncompromising. Psalm 53:3 declares “there is none who does good, not even one.”
Paul echoes the same words in Romans 3, drawing a universal conclusion about the human condition. So how are we to understand acts of kindness, bravery, generosity, and self-sacrifice performed by those who do not confess Christ? Are they merely illusions of goodness? Or does Scripture allow us to speak more carefully, and more truthfully, than that?
What the Bible Means When It Says “No One Does Good”
Psalm 53 is not an isolated statement. It belongs to a larger biblical diagnosis of humanity’s spiritual state after the fall. Psalm 53 is not primarily offering a sociological survey of behaviour; it is giving a theological verdict.
When Scripture says that “no one does good”, it is speaking about goodness as God defines it, not merely goodness as society recognises it. Biblically speaking, goodness is not measured only by external conformity to moral norms, but by: a heart rightly oriented toward God, motives that come from love for him, and actions that flow from faith and aim to give God glory.
Romans 14:23 states the principle plainly “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” That does not mean every action of an unbeliever is equally wicked, but it does mean that apart from faith, even outwardly virtuous actions fall short of God’s ultimate purpose for human life.
In other words, Psalm 53 is not denying that people can act kindly. It is denying that fallen humanity can, by nature, live in a way that truly honours God.
A helpful distinction: Civil Good and Spiritual Good
Reformed theology has long made an important and necessary distinction here, which I think is helpful and guards us from both cynicism and confusion.
- Civil (or Relative) Good
Unbelievers can and do perform actions that are genuinely good in a real, meaningful sense. there are plenty of examples that I could give but here are just a few;
- A non-Christian nurse who faithfully cares for patients
- A neighbour who risks their life to save a stranger
- A colleague who acts with integrity at personal cost themselves
These acts are good – they reflect God’s moral law, they benefit others, and they promote order and ‘goodness’ in the world. The Bible itself acknowledges this. Jesus speaks of pagans loving their children (Matt 7:11), and Paul notes that even Gentiles can “by nature do what the law requires” (Rom 2:14).
This goodness exists because of common grace—God’s kindness that restrains sin and preserves his creation. Human beings remain image-bearers of God, even in their fallenness. To deny this would be both biblically inaccurate and pastorally unwise.
2. Spiritual (or Godward) Good
At the same time, Scripture is equally clear that true spiritual good, good that pleases God in the fullest sense, requires faith in Christ, a regenerate heart, and a desire for God’s glory. Hebrews 11:6 is unambiguous, “without faith it is impossible to please him [God]”
This is where Psalm 53 speaks most sharply. Apart from grace, no one seeks God, submits to him, or lives for his glory. Even our best deeds, if disconnected from faith, are incomplete—not because they are fake, but because they are misdirected. They are good in form, but not in foundation.
Why This Matters Pastorally
This question is not merely academic. It touches our every day lives and it impacts how we care pastorally for the people around us.
If we say that unbelievers can do no good at all, we risk sounding morally absurd, alienating thoughtful seekers, and failing to honour the image of God in our neighbours.
But if we say that good deeds are enough, or that motive does not matter, we undermine the seriousness of sin, the necessity of regeneration , and the centrality of Jesus.
The biblical position avoids both errors. It allows us to say, with honesty and humility:
Yes, your kindness matters.
Yes, your compassion reflects something good.
But no, none of us can stand righteous before God apart from Christ.
The gospel does not deny human goodness, it redefines and redeems it.
In Christ, good works are not the means of acceptance but the fruit of it. Believers do good not to earn God’s favour, but because they already have it in Christ. Their deeds, though still imperfect, are now offered in faith and received in grace.
This is why the same Bible that says “there is none who does good” (Psalm 53:1) also urges believers to “to be rich in good works” (1 Tim 6:18). The difference is not effort, it is regeneration.
Psalm 53 humbles us. It strips away any illusion that morality can save us. But it does not require us to deny the everyday goodness we see around us. Instead, it points us to a deeper truth: Goodness, severed from God, is incomplete—but goodness restored through Christ becomes glorious.
And that is good news not only for theologians, but for the whole world.
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