Sinners, Works of Law, and Transgression in Gal 2:14b-21

A Study in Paul's Line of Thought

by Nicolai Techow

Book cover: Sinners, Works of Law, and Transgression in Gal 2:14b-21

Extent: 524 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies, Classical Studies, Jewish Studies

Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2.Reihe

Series volume number: 602

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(January 2024)

ISBN: 9783161612121

9.09 x 6.06 inches

Price: $162.00

In stock

In this study of the flow of thought in Paul’s speech to Cephas (Gal 2:14b-21), Nicolai Techow explains the passage as a linear and unified argument, centered on God’s judgment of people in the cross of Christ as integral to justification. He argues for a primarily moral-religious meaning of sinfulness and “works of law.”


In Gal 2:14b-21, Paul relates his rejection of justification by “works of law” closely to concepts of gentile and Jewish sinfulness. In dialogue with recent interpretation, Nicolai Techow presents a detailed study of Paul’s flow of thought in this passage in its historical and literary context and asks what in particular Paul’s thinking indicates. Showing that the passage does present Paul’s speech to Cephas at Antioch, the author argues for an interpretation which explains it as a linear and thematically unified argument, centered on God’s judgment of people in the cross of Christ as integral to justification itself. Furthermore, he shows that the concepts of sinfulness and justification not by “works of law” in this text transcend “ethnicity” and are focused on the moral-religious realm generally.

  • By (author) Nicolai Techow