LEGALISM
Legalism is a derogatory term not found in the Bible. Today it has a different meaning than it once had in the past. Before, it was used to describe salvation by works. Salvation is by faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross alone (Galatians 2:16, 21; Ephesians 2:8–9; see SALVATION). But today “legalism” or “legalist” is often a form of name-calling to describe holy living.
Paul says in Galatians 5:1: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” This verse has been taken out of context by some and used to teach that because we have liberty, we no longer need to be concerned with what we wear, who our friends are, where we go, and what we do. But was the apostle Paul a legalist when he said that women should “adorn themselves in modest apparel” (1 Timothy 2:9), or “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” (1 Corinthians 11:14–15) What about “be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Peter 1:15), or that believers are to “come out” and be “separate” from religions with idols (2 Corinthians 6:16–17), or that if we have wrong friends we have been “deceived” (1 Corinthians 15:33; see SEPARATION)?
The church of the Galatians had a problem with “false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 2:4). These false Christians believed in salvation by works (Galatians 3:1–11), and they wanted the Galatians to keep the law, and in particular to be circumcised. But Paul told them they were saved by faith, and this had nothing to do with circumcision: “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6). These “false brethren” were adding good works to faith in Christ in order to be saved (Galatians 5:1–11). This particular false teaching was widespread during the first century: “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1).
There were also those in the early church who were using their liberty as a license to sin: “Ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” (Jude v. 4). “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh” (Galatians 5:13; see also 1 Peter 2:16). The Bible clearly teaches us to leave our old sinful life: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1–2) “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:27–31). It is interesting that Peter says that those who boast about their liberty were tied to lust and sinful habits: “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” (2 Peter 2:19).
It is true that Christians will not all agree on standards or principles for godly Christian living, and there are those with high standards that commit gross sins. And we do not want to become Pharisees looking down on others. It is an easy trap to fall into, thinking that because I have certain standards in my life, I am more spiritual than others.
There are many religious laws in the Old Testament that a Christian is not bound by, such as the law against eating pork (Acts 10:10–15), so though I have the liberty to eat pork, there may be times when it would not be helpful to others. “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak” (1 Corinthians 8:8–9).
Legalism is a derogatory term not found in the Bible. Today it has a different meaning than it once had in the past. Before, it was used to describe salvation by works. Salvation is by faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross alone (Galatians 2:16, 21; Ephesians 2:8–9; see SALVATION). But today “legalism” or “legalist” is often a form of name-calling to describe holy living.
Paul says in Galatians 5:1: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” This verse has been taken out of context by some and used to teach that because we have liberty, we no longer need to be concerned with what we wear, who our friends are, where we go, and what we do. But was the apostle Paul a legalist when he said that women should “adorn themselves in modest apparel” (1 Timothy 2:9), or “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” (1 Corinthians 11:14–15) What about “be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Peter 1:15), or that believers are to “come out” and be “separate” from religions with idols (2 Corinthians 6:16–17), or that if we have wrong friends we have been “deceived” (1 Corinthians 15:33; see SEPARATION)?
The church of the Galatians had a problem with “false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 2:4). These false Christians believed in salvation by works (Galatians 3:1–11), and they wanted the Galatians to keep the law, and in particular to be circumcised. But Paul told them they were saved by faith, and this had nothing to do with circumcision: “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6). These “false brethren” were adding good works to faith in Christ in order to be saved (Galatians 5:1–11). This particular false teaching was widespread during the first century: “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1).
There were also those in the early church who were using their liberty as a license to sin: “Ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” (Jude v. 4). “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh” (Galatians 5:13; see also 1 Peter 2:16). The Bible clearly teaches us to leave our old sinful life: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1–2) “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:27–31). It is interesting that Peter says that those who boast about their liberty were tied to lust and sinful habits: “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” (2 Peter 2:19).
It is true that Christians will not all agree on standards or principles for godly Christian living, and there are those with high standards that commit gross sins. And we do not want to become Pharisees looking down on others. It is an easy trap to fall into, thinking that because I have certain standards in my life, I am more spiritual than others.
There are many religious laws in the Old Testament that a Christian is not bound by, such as the law against eating pork (Acts 10:10–15), so though I have the liberty to eat pork, there may be times when it would not be helpful to others. “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak” (1 Corinthians 8:8–9).
