Works Of The Law

[volgadon]

With all the recent discussions of works, law, grace, etc., it isn't a bad idea to look at some primary sources and secondary historical studies. The BAS has a free ebook containing Martin Abegg's discussion of what the Dead Sea Scrolls can teach us about the Pauline phrase "works of the Law."

http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/free-ebooks/paul-jewish-law-and-early-christianity/

Paul, “Works of the Law” and MMT

By Martin Abegg

Biblical Archaeology Society

“Miqsat Ma‘ase Ha-Torah” read the words highlighted in the Dead Sea Scroll fragment above. The phrase gives the document its shorthand name—MMT. But what does it mean?

Scholars have varyingly translated it as “some precepts of Torah” or “some legal rulings of Torah.” Both translations miss the mark, writes Martin Abegg, who suggests the proper rendering is “pertinent works of the law.” If Abegg is right, MMT casts important new light on the thinking of Paul, who uses the expression “works of the law” in his letters to the Galatians and the Romans.

The usual translation of Miqsat Ma‘ase Ha-Torah—MMT—obscures its relationship to Paul’s letters. This Dead Sea Scroll and Paul use the very same phrase.

[Vance]

When Paul's epistles are taken as a whole, it is rather apparent that "works of the law" are not the same as "works of righteousness" (or obedience to commandments). Unless you don't want to see it.

[Ahab]

With all the recent discussions of works, law, grace, etc., it isn't a bad idea to look at some primary sources and secondary historical studies. The BAS has a free ebook containing Martin Abegg's discussion of what the Dead Sea Scrolls can teach us about the Pauline phrase "works of the Law."

http://www.biblicala...y-christianity/

Paul, “Works of the Law” and MMT

By Martin Abegg

Biblical Archaeology Society

“Miqsat Ma‘ase Ha-Torah” read the words highlighted in the Dead Sea Scroll fragment above. The phrase gives the document its shorthand name—MMT. But what does it mean?

Scholars have varyingly translated it as “some precepts of Torah” or “some legal rulings of Torah.” Both translations miss the mark, writes Martin Abegg, who suggests the proper rendering is “pertinent works of the law.” If Abegg is right, MMT casts important new light on the thinking of Paul, who uses the expression “works of the law” in his letters to the Galatians and the Romans.

The usual translation of Miqsat Ma‘ase Ha-Torah—MMT—obscures its relationship to Paul’s letters. This Dead Sea Scroll and Paul use the very same phrase.

Okay, so.... what does Paul and the DSS say are the "pertinent works of the law"?

... anything to do with what we need to do to be saved?

[Vance]

Okay, so.... what does Paul and the DSS say are the "pertinent works of the law"?

... anything to do with what we need to do to be saved?

I don't know if those questions can be answered.

But here are some verses to ponder.

Rom 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

. . .

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?

. . .

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?

Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Edited October 17, 2012 by Vance

[MormonMason]

I don't have my copy of MMT with me but I do seem to recall that it specifically mentions certain "deeds of the law" required to be saved, including circumcision, if I recall correctly. It is very much in line with what Paul was addressing when he used the phrase "deeds of the law" in his discussions with Judaizers and those saints who were leaning in that direction.

I also recall something else of interest, but the title of which escapes me at the moment (The Semitic Background of the New Testament (?)). In it, Fitzmeyer (?) suggested and urges that there is a non-Pauline interpolation (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) with ties to an Essene term contained in the Dead Sea Scrolls incorporated into 2 Corinthians.