²⁰ The phrase works of the law has been the subject of considerable debate. Does Paul mean by this specifically those ‘works’ such as circumcision, food restrictions, sabbath observance, that demonstrated ‘covenant membership’ and demarcated Jews from pagans (Dunn, Wright)? Or is the phrase to be understood in more general terms to refer simply to ‘things that are done in obedience to law’ (Moo, Romans, 209 )?

Rather than attempt to resolve this very complex issue head-on, I will for now take a somewhat indirect approach. The crucial question to get clear in our minds at this point, I think, is: What is at stake here? What is at stake is ‘justification’ – or being considered righteous – but this needs to be set within a narrative about the people of God and the prospect of destruction on a day of wrath. Shortly Paul will explain how the righteousness or justice of God has been manifested apart from the law (3:21), and he will connect this with an argument about Abraham who was justified by his trust in the promise that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars of the heaven (Gen. 15:5-6). Here we have the central dilemma that Paul addresses in Romans: How will God remain faithful to his promise to Abraham when the people of that promise appear to be destined for destruction?

So the question that lies behind this verse is this: What will ensure the future of the people of God on the day of wrath? If a day of wrath comes, it will be as a consequence of the law. If Israel had been doers of the law, there would be no judgment in the concrete historical form that is envisaged here. If destruction comes, it is precisely because the penalty of the law has come into force, as it was bound to do sooner or later; so it is too late to think of being justified by works of the law in any form. If anyone is to be justified, therefore, and be in a position to survive the day of wrath, it must be on some other basis than appeal to the law. As Paul now goes on to explain, it will have to be on the basis of an archetypal trust in the God who made the promise.