The Apostle Paul used a phrase when he was referring to false, man-made laws, rules, regulations, traditions, and requirements of Rabbinic Judaism known today as Talmudic Judaism.
The phrase Paul used about these false laws is “works of the law”.
Paul, at one time practiced the “works of the law” since he was schooled in Rabbinic Judaism and was an enforcer of those false man-made laws.
An example of those false man-made laws is not mixing milk with meat when eating.
The Pharisee’s had gained total political power in Israel and were enforcing their false requirements upon every man, woman, and child, at the time Messiah was born, up to his death, and for decades afterwards.
The only Righteous in Israel who would not bend to their will were ostracized and persecuted.
Messiah came and stood up to their false requirements and traditions like no one ever had and with authority like no one had ever had.
Messiah’s power was total obedience to Torah, THE LAW YHVH God the Father gave to the children of Israel as their salvation path to Him.
Study the examples in the Greek text thoroughly!
“the works of the law” is used by Paul in 5 verses in Romans and Galatians to demonstrate to the people the knowledge and understanding of the difference between man’s false requirements which do not lead to salvation and YHVH God the Father’s LAW which when kept does lead the believer to salvation.
King David understood the salvation path:
Psalm 119:174 I long for Your salvation, O YHVH, And Your LAW is my delight.
King Solomon understood the difference and that THE LAW IS The Light:
Proverbs 6:23-24
23 For the Commandment is a lamp,
And THE LAW a light;
Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
24 To keep you from the evil woman,
From the flattering tongue of a seductress.
Isaiah and Micah (Micah 4:2) understood THE LAW is the salvation path:
Isaiah 2:3 Many people shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of YHVH,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth THE LAW,
And the word of YHVH from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 8:20 To THE LAW and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
And Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ) boldly declares THE LAW of His Father YHVH to be The WAY to salvation:
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do YHVH’s (His) commandments,[a] that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
Examine yourself, make sure you are in the faith YHVH God The Father created for us.
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 and John 1:14 show us YHVH God the Father put His Perfect LAW into His Son so we could hear YHVH’s Voice and as sheep obey our Master and Creator.
We obey YHVH in keeping The Sabbath, The Feasts, and ALL THE LAW He gave to the children of Israel so they might know Him and be saved at The Judgment. THE LAW gives us all knowledge and understanding in how to love our brother, our neighbors, our enemies, and, yes, YHVH God Himself as His Son says there is no greater Commandment than to LOVE His Father.
Shalom!