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* (2) versus the ceremonial ritual works of [[Leviticus|levitical]] sacrifice commanded by the law of Moses as acts of obedient righteousness.  

* (2) versus the ceremonial ritual works of [[Leviticus|levitical]] sacrifice commanded by the law of Moses as acts of obedient righteousness.  

The divergence between these two [[Semantics|semantical]] understandings of the essential meaning of the word "works" in the Bible has been the cause of much theological contention, leading to both patient [[Christian apologetics|apologetic]] and bitter [[polemic]]. Some interpret faith and works as utterly opposed in [[salvation]]; others interpret them as complimentary, mutually interdependent, and inseparably necessary for salvation.

The divergence between these two [[Semantics|semantical]] understandings of the essential meaning of the word "works" in the Bible has been the cause of much theological contention, leading to both patient [[Christian apologetics|apologetic]] and bitter [[polemic]]. Some interpret faith and works as utterly opposed to each other in [[salvation]]; others interpret them as complimentary, mutually interdependent, and inseparably necessary for salvation.

The debate clearly depends on interpreting the phrase "works of the law" as meaning "works" in general, and "the law" as meaning anything prescribed by established Christian authority as a necessary requirement for salvation.<ref>Compare, for example, the following texts:<br>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+2%3A6-11&version=RSVCE Romans 2:6-11] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A21-28&version=RSVCE Romans 3:21-28]<br>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3%3A1-14&version=RSVCE Galatians 3:1-14] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A13-25&version=RSVCE Galatians 5:13-25]<br>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2%3A8-23&version=RSVCE Colossians 2:8-23] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A5-25&version=RSVCE Colossians 3:5-25]<br>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A1-22&version=RSVCE Hebrews 10:1-22] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A7-21&version=RSVCE Hebrews 13:7-21]<br>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A8-26&version=RSVCE James 2:8-26] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A7-24&version=RSVCE 1 John 3:7-24]<br>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+13%3A1-15%3A13&version=RSVCE Romans 13:1–15:13].</ref>  

The debate clearly depends on interpreting the phrase "works of the law" as meaning "works" in general, and "the law" as meaning anything prescribed by established Christian authority as a necessary requirement for salvation.<ref>Compare, for example, the following texts:<br>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+2%3A6-11&version=RSVCE Romans 2:6-11] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A21-28&version=RSVCE Romans 3:21-28]<br>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3%3A1-14&version=RSVCE Galatians 3:1-14] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A13-25&version=RSVCE Galatians 5:13-25]<br>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2%3A8-23&version=RSVCE Colossians 2:8-23] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A5-25&version=RSVCE Colossians 3:5-25]<br>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A1-22&version=RSVCE Hebrews 10:1-22] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A7-21&version=RSVCE Hebrews 13:7-21]<br>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A8-26&version=RSVCE James 2:8-26] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A7-24&version=RSVCE 1 John 3:7-24]<br>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+13%3A1-15%3A13&version=RSVCE Romans 13:1–15:13].</ref>