In the biblical context, what is the primary purpose of the Covenant of Works?

The primary purpose of the Covenant of Works, within the biblical context, is to promise life upon the condition of perfect obedience. This covenant is often understood as God's initial agreement with humanity, particularly as it relates to Adam in the Garden of Eden. Under this covenant, eternal life and fellowship with God were contingent on Adam's adherence to God's command—namely, to refrain from eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

This framework highlights the expectation of perfect obedience as a prerequisite for obtaining the promised blessings. In this covenant, no grace or mercy was extended for disobedience; rather, the rewards were directly tied to adherence to God's commands. Therefore, the understanding that life is promised only if one fulfills the requirement of perfect obedience aligns precisely with the theological interpretation of the Covenant of Works.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of this covenant's purpose: the idea of guaranteeing eternal life irrespective of behavior does not fit because perfect obedience is a foundational requirement. Establishing a relationship without conditions misrepresents the covenant's nature, as it is conditional upon obedience. Lastly, while providing relief from sin may be a theme in some theological contexts, it does not encapsulate the original design or intention behind the Covenant of Works.