Works of the Law

The term erga nomou ("works of the Law") is used by Paul to denote deeds prescribed by the Mosaic Law ( Rom 2:15 ; Romans 3:20 Romans 3:27 Romans 3:28 ; Gal 2:16 ; Galatians 3:2 Galatians 3:5 Galatians 3:10 ). Although not found in the Old Testament or later rabbinic literature, this phrase appears in Qumran literature (maase torah,4QFlor 1:1-7; cf. 1QS 6:18; 1 QpHab 7:11). At times Paul shortens the phrase and uses erga, "works" ( Romans 4:2 Romans 4:6 ; Romans 9:11 Romans 9:32 ; 11:6 ), referring to a mode of relationship to the Law and set in contrast to faith in Christ.

Various interpretations of this phrase include: "good works, " in the sense of humankind's striving for self-achievement apart from God; observances of Mosaic Law that seek to earn God's favor; and distinctive Jewish identity markers (i.e., circumcision, dietary regulations, and Sabbath observance). Judaism was "nomistic, " observing the Law not as a means of justification but as a response to a gracious God, who Acts on behalf of his people and requires that they in turn identify themselves as his people by keeping his ordinances (covenantal nomism). In this context, the performance of "works of the law" does not refer to an individual's striving for moral improvement, but to a religious mode of existence, marked out by certain religious practices that demonstrate the individual's covenant relationship. Paul's polemical argument in Galatians, however, is concerned with the inherent legalism of the Judaizers, who required Gentile converts to observe Jewish traditions in order to qualify as members of God's covenant people. Thus, when Paul uses erga nomou, he is not just referring to nomistic practices, but to merit-amassing observance of the Law as well.

The nonattainability of righteousness by keeping the Law is attested to by Paul in Philippians 3:4-9. The works of the Law the apostle was "blameless" in performing actually were hindrances to true righteousness, found only in Christ. Any attempt to justify oneself before God based on meritorious action is counted as "loss" or "refuse." Trusting in one's ability to keep the Law is a reliance on the "flesh" ( Php 3:3 ) and an attempt to establish one's "own righteousness" ( Rom 10:3 ). Thus, the cross of Christ, as the sole basis of justification, becomes an "offense, " because it repudiates any other means of obtaining righteousness ( 1 Cor 1:23 ; Gal 5:11 ; cf. Rom 9:33 ).

R. David Rightmire

See also Galatians, Theology of; Grace; Judaizers; Law

Bibliography. G. Bertram, TDNT, 2: 635-55; F. F. Bruce, Bulletin of the John Rylands Library57 (1974-75): 259-79; C. E. B. Cranfield, Scottish Journal of Theology17 (1964): 43-68; W. D. Davies, Paul and Rabbinic Judaism; J. D. G. Dunn, Jesus, Paul and the Law; J. A. Fitzmyer, Paul and His Theology; D. P. Fuller, WTJ38 (1975): 28-42; R. H. Gundry, Biblica66 (1985): 1-38; H. C. Hahn, NIDNTT, 3: 1147-51; R. Heiligenthal, Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, 2:49-50; R. N. Longenecker, Galatians; idem, Paul: Apostle of Liberty; H. Ridderbos, Paul: An Outline of His Theology; E. P. Sanders, Paul and Palestinian Judaism; idem, Paul, the Law, and the Jewish People; S. Westerholm, Israel's Law and the Church's Faith: Paul and His Recent Interpreters.