11:15 ministers of righteousness. There are many who profess to be servants (i.e., “ministers”) of righteousness, even appearing on occasion to work miracles, but these in themselves prove nothing. “He that doeth the will of my Father” (Matthew 7:21)—that is the test, according to Jesus. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22-23).

11:15 their works. Perhaps here Paul was also alluding to those Judaizers who were demanding that Christians adhere to the righteousness of the Law in order to attain salvation, undermining the great doctrine of salvation by grace. But those who seek salvation by works must then be judged by their works, and none can measure up to the divine standard (Galatians 2:16). All who are judged “according to their works” shall be “cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:13, 15).