The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

169 l~ Epywv voµou Paul first uses the phrase l~ Epywv voµou in Galatians 2: 16, but isolated within the verse itself it stands as an enigmatic phrase without definition. This is understandable , however, because as Betz has noted, Paul only summarily articulates his subject in his "propositio" of 2: 15-21. 74 For further definition of the phrase one must move in two directions: backward, carefully noting how the narratio (l: 12-2: 14) illustrates the statement and forward into the argumentation and elaboration of the "probatio" of 3: 1-4:31. 75 We will move first to the more definitive propositional portion of the letter (chapters 3-4) and then test this understanding with the narrative introduction. Theological Definition. The basic grammatical possibilities of "Epywv voµou" seem to be: (1) "works which the law performs" (subjective genitive) , (2) "works performed in obedience to the law" (objective genitive), and (3) "works which the law prescribes" (genitive of source). 76 The first meaning is rejected on logical grounds since the Law does not perform any works at all. The distinction between the second and third options is that meaning two would involve human effort done in response to the law 's demands without regard to the 74 "The propositio is extremely concise and consists largely of dogmatic abbreviation , i.e., very short formulaic summaries of doctrines.... These abbreviation are difficult to translate." Betz, Galatians, 14-25 . 75 lbid . 76 chlier outlines the problem: "Au der Formulierung v pya oµou elb t i t d r mn de Begriffe nicht ohne weitere zu erkennen. ind e Werke, di da tz rfi.ill n, d r Wer e, die da e tz fordert, oder endlich Werke, die da tz b irkt?" hli r, alater, l Th term hich hm yer u ke th qu ti n "W lche i di Art der g amm ti chen rbindung z i h n Epya oµou . W nn di endun m1t 'Di n t de e t e ' utr fend iiber tzt rd n muB, i t 1 d nn d r et1 de u ho igk it bzw . d r prung . " rn t hm r, "Pr bl m h l 1e II · tz , '" Z it hrift fur die neute tamentli h Wi en haft