"The Works of The Law" - Legalism in Galatians

"Works of Law" Not "The Works of The Law"

We've already mentioned that Paul writes about "the works of the law" six times in Galatians, and it's always negative, but before we look at any of these verses we need to clarify one thing.

Actually Paul does NOT use the expression "THE works of THE law" (even ONCE). The translators have wrongly inserted the definite article "THE". In the original Greek (as Young's literal translation tells us) Paul is talking about a more generic expression "works of law". NOT "the works of the law" - just "works of law". That's worth taking a note of, because it gives us a clue about what Paul is really criticizing.

Unfortunately you can't tell this from a KJV or a NKJV, because although they usually italicize the words that aren't in the original text, for some reason here they don't.

To verify this for yourselves (which we strongly recommend) you can check out Bullinger's Companion Bible or Young's Literal Translation which can be downloaded in its entirety for free as part of the On Line Bible. We've also provided the Young's Literal Translation for Galatians in parallel with the NKJV on this website. By way of example let's compare the New King James Version (NKJV) with Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and let's take a look at Galatians 2:16 where the expression "THE WORKS OF THE LAW" is used THREE times in the New King James.

Galatians 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by THE works of THE law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by THE works of THE law; for by THE works of THE law no flesh shall be justified. NKJV

But what Paul actually wrote was:

Galatians 2:16 having known also that a man is not declared righteous by WORKS OF LAW, if not through the faith of Jesus Christ, also we in Christ Jesus did believe, that we might be declared righteous by the faith of Christ, and not by WORKS OF LAW, wherefore declared righteous by WORKS OF LAW shall be no flesh.' - YLT

So here we see one verse where in six cases the word "THE" has been inserted without it being in the original Greek. The same is true of ALL the other three times the expression is used in Galatians. This happens in a number of other cases in Galatians which are telling. That is, there are lots of cases where the King James translates the original Greek as "THE LAW", but actually Paul wrote "law".

Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by THE WORKS OF THE LAW, or by the hearing of faith?

Again "works of law" not THE works of THE law

Galatians 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by THE WORKS OF THE LAW, or by the hearing of faith?

Same thing - "works of law".

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of THE works of THE law .

Same thing. "works of law"

So why's Paul being negative about "works of law"?

Well, some commentators tell us that: "Works of Law" is Paul's way of saying "legalism". Cranfield in '79 in the International Critical Commentary (Romans) says: "The Greek Language of Paul's day possessed no word grouping corresponding to our "Legalism". Ernest de Wit Burton also in the International Critical Commentary of Galatians 1921 says "By Erga Nomou (works of law) Paul means the obedience to formal statutes done in the LEGALISTIC SPIRIT. (quoting selectively) "the translation of this phrase is a serious defect".

But if Paul appears to be critical about works of law, James has a lot of positive things to say about "works".

James 2:14-26

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. NKJV

So clearly James reminds us that we have to be putting not only the letter of the written Torah law into action, but also the spirit (or intent) of the law in our daily lives.

That said, Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2 that ultimately we can never be saved by works.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. NKJV

...because of course, irrespective of how "good" we are today, only Christ's sacrifice can pay for our past sins.

Where most people who want to do away with the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch) go wrong is this: when they read law, in Galatians they immediately presume that it means the WRITTEN Torah in the Pentateuch. Actually, that's a HUGE assumption, given that more than much of first century Jewish law was not in the Old Testament and the written torah law explicitly curses any additions to itself in Deuteronomy 4:2.

Please Note.

There are several cases where the definite article "the" is used in the original Greek. Compare the text in red on the right hand side of the page in Galatians 3, Galatians 4 & Galatians 6 with that on the left hand side.

Let's now take a look at the other negative expression about law that Paul uses in Galatians: "Under the Law".

Return to the start of Galatians, Paul, The Torah-Law and Legalism a Judianity website ?

In the predominantly Jewish New Testament church why isn't any fuss recorded if most of the Old Testament laws were "done away" yet in Acts a small and predictable change to one "Old Testament" law about the circumcision of gentile proselytes caused massive turmoil? Why also do many christian theologians believe even after the crucifixion, that Paul kept Nazirite vows & offered sacrifices at the temple?

Let's take a closer look at Paul's Use of "Under the Law" in Galatians
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