Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Works of the law

The deeds the Mosaic law requires — in Paul's argument, what cannot justify a person before God.

Greek erga nomou; the phrase also appears in a Dead Sea Scroll (4QMMT) referring to specific legal rulings.

Romans 3:20, 28; Galatians 2:16; 3:2, 5, 10; the wider argument of Romans 3–4 and Galatians 3.

The 'Old Perspective' (Luther) read this as any human effort to earn favour; the 'New Perspective' (Sanders, Dunn, Wright) argues it meant the identity-markers (circumcision, food laws, sabbath) that fenced Jews off from Gentiles, so Paul's target is ethnic exclusivism, not works-righteousness.

Either way, Paul's conclusion stands: justification is by faith in Christ, 'apart from works of the law'.

Old vs. New Perspective on the phrase's referent and on what problem Paul is addressing.

Open in the glossary for related terms and the doctrines this concept appears in.