The New Perspective And “Works Of The Law” (Gal 2:16 And Rom 3:20) -- By: William D. Barrick

Journal: Masters Seminary Journal
Volume: TMSJ 16:2 (Fall 2005)
Article: The New Perspective And “Works Of The Law” (Gal 2:16 And Rom 3:20)
Author: William D. Barrick


The New Perspective And “Works Of The Law” (Gal 2:16 And Rom 3:20)

William D. Barrick

Professor of Old Testament

The New Perspective on Paul (NPP) differs from a traditional understanding of Paul’s references to the “works of the law.” Traditionally, Paul’s references to such works has been seen in a negative light, but the NPP takes a very opposite view of the works. Pre-NT references to works of the law show that they cannot be limited to circumcision, Sabbath-keeping, and dietary restrictions the way NPP advocates propose. Broadly considered, NT references to the same works show the same impossibility. Two crucial passages, Gal 2:16 and Rom 3:20, when analyzed in detail, indicate the grave error in the NPP position. Three occurrences of “works of the law” in Gal 3:20 show that they are the direct opposite of faith in matters pertaining to salvation. The context of Rom 3:20 shows that “works of the law” refer to human deeds to earn merit with God and are not limited to circumcision, Sabbath-keeping, and dietary restrictions. Rather, they simply demonstrate how guilty human beings are before a righteous God. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone and not by the “works of the law.”

* * * * *

A landslide of writings from the viewpoint of the New Perspective on Paul (NPP) are like boulders and debris that have littered the road leading to an accurate understanding of salvation. However, in spite of the massive amount of literature aimed at destroying two millennia of clarity regarding the relationships of works, righteousness, faith, and salvation, the road is yet passable and the obstructions avoidable. NPP proponents have failed to block the way completely. Granted, some adherents of the NPP never intended such damage, but they nonetheless have contributed to the current dilemma within evangelicalism. A crux in the debate over the NPP involves Paul’s use of the phrase “works of the law,” especially in Gal 2:16 and Rom 3:20. The discussion below will focus on these verses.

Introduction to the Problem

Two basic questions are at the heart of this issue: What does Paul mean by “the works of the law”? And, what is the NT believer’s relationship to “the works of

the law”? Traditionally, the church has held that Paul spoke negatively of the Judaizers’1 use of the law. Thr...

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