Did Paul have biology in mind when he spoke of "works"?

I have been looking into the connection between Paul's talk of "works" and the 'biological' references that he often uses (e.g. flesh, seed, children). Until I stopped to look into it for myself, I didn't realize how heavily emphasized the biological aspect is, such that Paul spends as much time talking about "works" as he does talking about biology. In fact, for Paul there is less emphasis on "what we do" and more about "who we are". Realizing this should influence how we read Paul's teaching on Justification.

Consider the following passages which clearly connect 'flesh' (in the lineage sense) and 'works':

• Romans 4:1-2 What shall we say by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works... [cf Rom 3:28-30, just prior to this passage]
  
• Rom 4:11 The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised
  
• Rom 9:3-10 I wish that I myself were accursed for the sake of my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel [see my post HERE], and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac [not Ishmael] shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children [Jacob & Esau] by our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad - in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls
  
• Rom 11:21 For if God did not spare the natural branches...
  
• 2 Cor 11:22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I.
  
• Gal 2: 15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law
  
• Gal 4: 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman [Ishmael] and one by a free woman [Isaac]. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. … 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he [Ishmael] who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. [cf Rom 9:7-9; the Jews of the flesh persecuted Jesus]
  
• Eph 2:8-11 For by grace you have been saved through faith, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands
  
• Phil 3: 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
  
• 1 Tim 1:3 I urged you remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship that is by faith.
  
• Titus 1:13-14 Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths
  
• Titus 3: 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

The “covenant of circumcision” (Acts 7:8; Gen 17) was not a covenant based upon who could live a perfect life, but rather a covenant based on tracing Abraham’s lineage, particularly the promised Seed. Even in the earliest days of the Church, we see Christians warning of Judaizing and what it meant: "[the Jews] glory in the circumcision of the flesh as a proof of election, and as if, on account of it, they were specially beloved by God" (Mathetes to Diognetus, ch4, around 130AD). Thus, circumcision and other "works [of the law]" were about showing the world who were (already) the "elect" nation of God. But if this is the case, then that would leave no room for Gentile inclusion into the household of God, because the Gentiles are of a non-blessed biological ancestry. So Paul had to address this, which is why his focus on membership into the New Covenant was not based upon works, that is outward signs of 'elect biology'. See my recent posts (HERE & HERE) on what the Bible really teaches about Election & Calling.

In recent years, some have used the phrase "ethnic marker" to describe the connection, but I think this isn't getting the real issue across because it makes it seem merely about skin color, rather than blessed ancestry. If we see circumcision as the visible mark of who Abraham's biological children were, then we have some "tangible" basis for which to locate the Messiah. Circumcision is obviously a bizarre practice, such that it would be unique among the nations. Thus when Paul says "not according to works," he is saying "not according to biological lineage".

Many folks would criticize the 'limiting' of "works" to the OT 'sacraments' and insist that morals instead are what is primarily meant. While this is understandable, I think the motivation is deeply flawed, because Protestants from non-liturgical backgrounds basically give no thought to true Worship. If in fact Liturgy is the highest calling, as I've noted before (HERE & HERE), then it is saying a lot (and not limiting in a bad way) to equate works with OT liturgical sacraments like circumcision, feast days, etc. 

I realize that some readers wont be immediately convinced of the connection between 'works' and 'biology', but if you meditate upon the connection you will see how it makes much more sense of Paul's teaching than thinking Paul was focused on living a perfect life in order to get into heaven..