What is Legalism?

Introduction

Decades ago, while attending a mega church in Southern California, it was brought to the attention of their senior pastor that practicing fornicators had been among those in their long line to receive communion. This Arminian church had an open communion with many tables set up in front. Each table had a long line of people, like a factory assembly belt. That is when I first experienced a pastor pulling the “legalist” card. And when another wrongfully calls you a “legalist,” it is a form of slander. Imagine that. Violating the Ninth Commandment by concealing or defending sin while demonstrating a greasy grace.  

But as I write, I must say this.

The word “Legalist” is frightening and convicting to study and write about.

Like a hard-working, proactive policeman, he will be required to toe that thin blue line, which means he might unintentionally cross it. Lazy or cowardly cops won’t go near the line; they shy away from it. I have more respect for the policeman who gets dirty & bloody, tears his uniform, or receives personnel complaints while protecting the citizens they serve.

A Christian who cares about apologetics, doctrine, biblical orthodoxy, a biblical ecclesiology, or contending for the faith will, in fact, have to walk a thin theological line (or tightrope). And so I believe unless you’re a motivational speaker like Joel Osteen or Joseph Prince, perhaps most true believers have been guilty of legalism, somehow, someway.

Knowing that, we must walk circumspectly. We must pray for the discernment to know when to show grace, and when not to. But never at the expense of obedience to God and His Scripture. Nonetheless, sometimes we will fall on our own sword.

In this brief article, I will define what legalism (or a legalist) is, and then what legalism is not.

What is legalism (or a legalist)

The word legalism or legalist is a broad term and is used loosely by many.

In summary, gleaning from my study, the definition of legalism (or a legalist) is this.

Legalism is an excessive preoccupation with or conformity to the letter of the law, without considering grace when appropriate. Or excluding the spirit of the law. Or overshadowing the law for believers without the Gospel of grace. Legalism is the opposite of antinomianism, and sometimes overreacts to antinomianism (both are errors). A legalist is a person who legislates their own rules that go beyond the commands of Scripture. A legalist boasts in himself (Rom. 4:1-4), and pridefully robs God of the glory due to Him. A legalist often raises the standard of God’s Law. A legalist might omit the weightier matters of the law while boasting in obeying minor points (Matt. 23:23-24).

Soteriologically speaking, legalism is when a person wrongfully believes their good works or so-called morality can make them right with God (e.g. Mormonism, Pelagianism, Roman Catholicism, et.al.). They believe in a works-based salvation. They believe they can merit good standing before God, earn favor, or earn salvation by their works or ceremonies, or that keeping the Law is meritorious. Or that they can achieve their own righteousness (Rom. 3:20). They believe that obeying the Law gives them a moral superiority. They believe they can earn God’s favor through moral perfectionism.

What legalism is not

Exposing sin and lawlessness is not legalism; it is obedience to God (Eph. 5:1-21). Questioning the pastor of fornicators at the aforementioned church receiving communion is not legalism. The Scriptures are clear that they should be forbidden communion (1 Cor. 11:23-33). In fact, they should have been excommunicated (1 Cor. 5). Demonstrating strong leadership skills or rigidity is not legalism. Especially during a time when soft men are preferred. Obeying God’s moral Law is not legalism; it is obedience to God. Though we all fall short, we can only strive for obedience by His grace, as He enables His elect to do so.

The Apostle Paul spoke positively of the Law; he said God’s commandments are good, holy, and righteous (Rom. 7:7,12,14).

Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” – John 14:15

John said, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” – 1 John 2:3-5

John said, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” – 1 John 5:3

The Psalmist said, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” – Psalm 1:1-2

OK, I have defined the word legalism (or a legalist), and what it is not. So you could stop right here. Or, if you choose to dive deeper for a more technical definition of legalism, then go with me further.

The following is from just a few of the many resources I’ve read on this subject.

From a Concise Dictionary of Theological Terms

Legalism – “The view that salvation is merited by keeping the law. A merit theology holds that obedience to the law gains God’s favor and earns eternal life. Jesus combated the legalism of the Pharisees (John 5:39–40, 45) and Paul the legalism of the Judaizers (Gal 2:15–16). Jesus condemned self-righteous legalism and extolled God’s mercy for sinners (Luke 18:9–14). Paul condemned legalism and extolled God’s saving grace (Rom 3:28; Eph 2:8–9). (2) The view that the essence of the Christian life is law keeping. Antinomianism errs in the opposite manner when it denies that believers need the law. God’s law as a part of God’s Word has a place in the Christian life, for believers show their love for God by obeying him. But grace, faith, the Holy Spirit, and freedom in Christ occupy pride of place in the life of the church, as well as that of individual Christians. See also antinomianism; asceticism; law; law, uses; sanctification; Ten Commandments.”

Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson, “Legalism,” in A Concise Dictionary of Theological Terms (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2020), 106–7.

From Jim Savastio, in A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689

Legalism – “I want to say a word about what legalism is. Legalism is not a strict and conscientious life of obedience to the commands of Scripture. Legalism is not pressing biblical duty upon a person. To expound the Word of God and then apply that Word to the hearts and consciences of the people of God is not browbeating and it is not legalism.

Legalism, biblically speaking, has three prongs to it. First, it is the mentality of a works righteousness—that is, the idea that my good works earn my salvation or secure my salvation before God. Second, and this is closely related, it is enforcing into practice regulations which God has fulfilled in Christ. This was part and parcel of the Galatian heresy—dietary laws, circumcision, feast days, and sacrifices were added to the work of Christ to ensure that one was truly saved. Third, legalism is when those in authority preach their own traditions in place of the Word of God. In Matthew 15:9, Jesus calls this, “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

Our Confession clearly states in paragraph 2:

 God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his word, or not contained in it. So that to believe such doctrines, or obey such commands out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring of an implicit faith, an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience and reason also.

These truths are well summarized in the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:23: “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” This truth is emphasized again in the words of Galatians 5:1: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

Jim Savastio, “Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience,” in A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, ed. Rob Ventura (Ross-shire, Scotland: Mentor, 2022), 386–87.

From R. C. Sproul via his Reformation Study Bible

Legalism – “The New Testament views Christian obedience as the practice of “good works.” Christians are to be “rich in good works” (1 Tim. 6:18; cf. Matt. 5:16; Eph. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:17; Titus 2:7, 14; 3:8, 14). A good deed is one done according to the right standard, God’s revealed will; from a right motive, love for God and others; and with a right purpose, the glory of God.

Legalism is a distortion of obedience that can never produce good works in this sense. It skews motive and purpose, seeing good deeds as ways to earn God’s favor. It can be arrogant and contemptuous of those who do not labor in the same way. Finally, legalism’s self-advancing purpose squeezes humble kindness and compassion out of the heart.

In the New Testament we meet different kinds of legalism. Legalists among the Pharisees thought that because they were descended from Abraham they were guaranteed approval by God, while paradoxically they formalized daily observance of the law, down to minutest details, as the rule of life. In doing so they avoided what the law truly required. Judaizers were legalists who taught Christian believers that they must go on to become Jews by being circumcised and observing the religious calendar and ritual laws, and in this way gain favor with God. Jesus attacked the legalism of the Pharisees; Paul, the Judaizers.

The Pharisees that opposed Jesus thought of themselves as faithful keepers of the Mosaic law. Yet in emphasizing minor details they neglected what matters most (Matt. 23:23, 24). Their elaborate and misguided interpretations of the law denied its true spirit and aim (Matt. 15:3–9; 23:16–24). They substituted human tradition for God’s authoritative law, binding consciences where God had left them free (Mark 2:16–3:6; 7:1–8). At heart they were hypocritical, seeking human approval for themselves and condemning others (Luke 20:45–47; Matt. 6:1–8; 23:2–7).

The Judaizers opposed by Paul added to the gospel requirements for salvation that obscured and denied the all-sufficiency of Christ (Gal. 3:1–3; 4:21; 5:2–6). The idea that there must be additional requirements to perfect the gospel was the root of their error. Paul opposed this idea no matter who advanced it (Col. 2:8–23), because it corrupted the way of salvation. Like Jesus, he would not tolerate those who brought new burdens to lay on the sheep.”

R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (Orlando, FL; Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2005), 1399.

The following are solutions to the problem.

From the Popular Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling

“The antidote to legalism is the recognition of this grace. It is acknowledging that, like it or not, the sinner stands naked before God, with every blemish exposed before him. Sinners come to God, not to give to God or prove themselves worthy, but to receive. Deliverance from sin is not achieved by human effort, but by God’s unmerited favor. Jesus was speaking to those who were in bondage to the legalism of the Pharisees when he said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt. 11:28–30).” – Daniel R. Mitchell

Tim Clinton and Ron Hawkins, eds., “Legalism,” in Popular Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling: An Indispensable Tool for Helping People with Their Problems (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2018), 194–95.

The remedy for legalism, disobedience, or antinomianism is repent.

The remedy for our sin problem is to repent (metanoeō), believe (pisteúō̄), and obey (hupakouō) the Gospel (Mark 1:15 & 2 Thess. 1:8). And the only reason God’s elect will repent, believe, and obey is that, by His sovereign grace, He enabled them to do so.

This post is part of a What Is series I’m working on. I hope it was helpful. I encourage you to study this word for yourself.

Only by the grace of God so go I.

THE GOOD NEWS!