The sheep and the goats
Whether the judgment turns on works or on faith working, and who 'the least of these' are.
Matthew 25:31-46
31“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.
32Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
35for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.
36I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’
37“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?
38When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?
39When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’
40“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
41Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;
42for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;
43I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44“Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’
45“Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’
46These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
What each tradition says
Rabbinic / Midrashic
Pirkei Avot teaches that everything is foreseen, yet freedom of choice is granted. The world is judged with goodness, and everything is in accordance with the preponderance of works.
Pirkei Avot (Mishnah Avot), Pirkei Avot 3:15 — Mishnah Yomit, trans. Dr. Joshua Kulp (served by Sefaria API) — Mishnah Avot 3:15
Patristic
Cyprian says Christ could not more strongly stimulate works of righteousness and mercy than by declaring that whatever is given to the needy and poor is given to Himself. Christ is also grieved, Cyprian says, unless the needy and poor are supplied.
Cyprian of Carthage, On Works and Alms (Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 5) — §23 (on Matthew 25:31-46)
Catholic
Haydock says that good done to one of Christ’s least brethren, the afflicted, the Son of God will accept as done to himself. This assurance of revelation is a most forcible motive to charity.
George Leo Haydock, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary (1859) — On Matthew 25:40
Orthodox
Chrysostom says Christ invites the unknown and contemptible to brotherhood, not only monks but every believer. Even a secular person who is hungry, famishing, naked, or a stranger should receive all this care, because baptism and partaking of the divine mysteries make a man a brother.
John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 10) — Homily LXXVIII, section on Matthew 25:31-46
Reformed / Protestant
Calvin says the heavenly inheritance is promised only to those who by good works aim at the prize of the heavenly calling. Before speaking of the reward of good works, he points out that salvation begins from a higher source. By calling them blessed of the Father, he reminds them their salvation comes from God's undeserved favor.
John Calvin, Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke — Volume 3 (Calvin Translation Society) — On Matthew 25:34-40
Evangelical
Wesley says that what is done for one of the least of these, Christ’s brethren, is done for Christ. This encourages assisting the household of faith, while also remembering to do good to all men.
John Wesley, Wesley's Notes on the Bible (Notes on the Gospel According to St Matthew) — Note on Matthew 25:40