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It's exactly what Paul said. Words mean things. "The works of the law" is a very simple thing to understand, and the context makes it even clearer. If you wish to impart other meaning onto the text, then we simply will never agree. All of the rest of your sermonizing and html skills notwithstanding. If you can't read a verse and agree on what the words mean, there is no hope for you to understand. SD

Yes or No, Dave...

LAW 195: Give charity to the poor (Lev. 25:35, 36; Deut. 15:8).
LAW 200: Pay the worker his wages on time (Deut. 24:15).
LAW 203: Help must be given to load man or beast when necessary (Deut. 22:4).
LAW 206: It is required to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Lev. 19:18).
LAW 248: The persecuted are to be rescued even if it means killing the oppressor (Num. 27:8).

Old Testament Law, or NOT Old Testament Law?

If Paul intended to say that some Works of the Old Testament Law do Justify a Man, he could have said so.

He was a Pharisee, fer cryin' out loud... You're not giving a Canon Lawyer of the Old Testament Church much credit for precision here when you (in effect) claim that Paul probably meant that some Works actually do Justify, and the poor silly sod just forgot to say so.

Paul was a Pharisee. He knew what the Works of the Law included: "Give charity to the poor" (Lev. 25:35, 36; Deut. 15:8), "Pay the worker his wages on time" (Deut. 24:15), "Help must be given to load man or beast when necessary" (Deut. 22:4), "It is required to love one’s neighbor as oneself" (Lev. 19:18), "The persecuted are to be rescued even if it means killing the oppressor" (Num. 27:8). And of The Law, Paul said the following: "NOT by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

It's unfortunate that Rome requires you to pretend that Paul didn't know what he was saying, but I do understand that the Council of Trent requires you to maintain this pretense.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the basics.... Roman Catholicism allows you to maintain your core personal belief: "God doesn't always get what He wants."

Where our treasure is, there will our heart be also, neh?

It's unfortunate that Rome requires you to pretend that Paul didn't know what he was saying, but I do understand that the Council of Trent requires you to maintain this pretense.

Look, we disagree. I don't see any need for you to demean me, or to pretend that I am not telling you the truth, or that I secretly "know" that you are right, but I must "pretend" otherwise.

If you can't accept that I have a genuine belief in what I say here, then we have no further to go. I won't be called a liar.

Words mean things. "The works of the law" means what it says. Those following the Old Covenant Law.

Christians do not follow this Law. We are living in grace, not under the Law. I'm sorry you don't see what Paul is saying in this verse, having chose to overlay some other meaning than what is written. But that is your option.

I believe you believe it. Which is more credit than you have given me. Good day.