Historical / Hermeneutical Probs: “Works of the Law” #1

Romans 3:19-20 Justification

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds on the phrase "works of the law" in Romans and Galatians, challenging the New Perspective on Paul's interpretation. He argues that Paul's polemic against "works of the law" refers to obedience to God's ethical commands as a whole, not merely Jewish boundary markers like circumcision. Martin demonstrates that both Jews and Gentiles are condemned by their failure to perfectly obey God's law, thus necessitating justification by faith alone, apart from any human works.

2 illustrations in this sermon

Romans 3:19-20: The Climax of Universal Guilt and the Meaning of 'Deeds of the Law'

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Defendant in Court

In this part of the sermon: Martin expounds Romans 3:19-20, arguing that in light of the preceding context, 'deeds of the law' cannot be limited to Jewish boundary markers. He explains that the law's purpose…

The image of 'every mouth being stopped' is likened to a defendant in court who has nothing to say against the charges, illustrating humanity's inability to offer a plea of justification before God.

Thus he has demonstrated that they are as much sinners as the Gentiles are who do not have the Scriptures and yet live in disobedience to what they know, and are aware of concerning God's law by natural revelation. It then follows that every mouth is stopped and the whole world is guilty before God. If the Jews who had the law could not keep the law and are ultimately condemned by the law, then it follows that no one, including the Gentiles, have or can all stand condemned before God. The mouth being stopped describes the situation of a man at court, a defendant, who has nothing to say in answ...

23:33 - 24:14 Read in full sermon

Romans 4:1-6: 'Works of the Law' Synonymous with General 'Works'

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Worker Earning Wages

In this part of the sermon: He connects 'works of the law' with the more general term 'works' in Romans 4:1-6, showing that Paul excludes all human activity, good or evil, as a basis for justification…

The contrast between 'works' and 'grace' is illustrated by a worker who earns wages as a debt due for his labor, as opposed to receiving a free gift, clarifying that justification is not earned but received by faith.

elsewhere in the epistle supports the meaning in chapter 4 of any human actions or deeds in general. Secondly, there is the contrast in Romans 4, 4 between someone who works and earns a wage and someone who believes and receives a free gift of grace. Verse 4, Now to him who works the wages are not counted as grace and that is a book keeping metaphor here. The picture is that of one who works who labors and then he receives the wages that are due to him for his work and this is set forth in contrast with grace.

36:11 - 36:51 Read in full sermon

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