What are the works of the law (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16)?

from the old testament

• The Old Testament presents the law as a covenant gift to Israel, outlining God’s will for their holiness and worship. While Deuteronomy 6:1–6 lays out the expectation that Israel would obey all of God’s commands, it was not to earn salvation but as a response to His covenant love. These laws included both moral commands and ceremonial practices that governed Israel’s daily life.
• Yet even with the law, Israel was unable to obey God perfectly as David attested, saying, “no one living is righteous before you” (Psalm 143:2). This inability to obey is found throughout the Old Testament, demonstrating the need for grace.
• Because men and women are sinful, Isaiah could say, “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Isaiah 64:6). That is, even the best efforts of sinful people are disgusting to God.
• How then can sinners be justified before God if even their best deeds are sinful? Habakkuk provided the answer: “the righteous shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). So, even in the Old Testament, those who were truly righteous were those who expressed genuine faith in God’s promises (c.f., Genesis 15:6).

from the new testament

• The New Testament clarifies that obedience to the law cannot bring salvation. Paul said, “I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet’” (Romans 7:7b). He was saying that the law brings the knowledge of what is sinful, and in our sinful nature we jump up and do exactly what it says not to do!
• Instead of through the “works of the law,” salvation comes through faith in Christ. In Galatians 2:15–16, Paul said, “We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.” Being of Jewish descent, Paul had come from the background of doing the “works of the law” to be righteous yet came to learn that that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ and not by those works. So, even devout Jews like Paul were saved in the same way as Gentiles—through grace, not works.
• Relying on the law brings a curse because, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them” (Galatians 3:10b). In other words, anyone who depends on law-keeping must obey all of it perfectly. Since no one can, everyone who is trying to become righteous that way is condemned (cursed).
• Jesus brought the law’s role to its fulfillment. In Romans 10:4, Paul said, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” That is, Jesus is the source of righteousness to everyone who believes. This is possible because He perfectly obeyed the law Himself and then died to pay the penalty for men and women who were unable to keep it (Romans 3:25). His righteousness is credited to those who believe in Him (Romans 4:5).
• When one attempts to gain righteousness through the law, the result is condemnation because the law requires perfect obedience—something no one can achieve (Galatians 3:10; James 2:10). This is why Scripture presents faith in Jesus Christ as the only basis for salvation (Romans 3:21–22; Galatians 2:21).

implications for today

The “works of the law” were never designed to save but to show us our need for salvation, preparing the way for a greater righteousness that would one day come through the Messiah. The Bible is clear that doing “works of the law” never (ever!) earns God’s favor. Certainly, He is pleased when His children obey, but when it comes to salvation, no amount of rule-keeping can make us right before God. The law can guide our steps and reveal our sin, but it cannot save us. Only faith in Christ can.

If you are currently an unbeliever, you need to understand that no amount of good works or rule-keeping can save you. While obeying sounds like a good thing, God wants us to stop trying to be righteous on our own. Instead, we are to repent and recognize that we are sinful. Jesus lived the perfectly righteous life that you cannot. When we trust in His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, God counts righteousness to us.

If you are a believer, then know that the same Spirit who justifies and saves you also sanctifies you. When we are saved, we can now obey in a way that pleases God because we are no longer slaves to sin. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in a way that pleases God. While our obedience does not preserve our salvation (it is only Jesus’ works and death that cover us for eternity), good works and obedience are joyful responses and fruit that matches our salvation (Galatians 5:22–24).

The law still has value to us today but not as a means of salvation. The law points to Christ, reveals sin, and teaches holiness—but only Jesus provides the righteousness we truly need. Let the knowledge that Christ has fulfilled the law for you free you to follow Him!