Legalism, in a biblical context, refers to an excessive adherence to law or formula, often emphasizing the letter of the law over its spirit. It is a reliance on rules and rituals to achieve righteousness, rather than faith and grace. The challenge against legalism is a recurring theme in the New Testament, where Jesus and the apostles confront the Pharisaical emphasis on strict law-keeping without understanding the heart of God's commandments.

Jesus and the Pharisees

Jesus frequently challenged the legalistic practices of the Pharisees, who were known for their strict observance of the Mosaic Law and additional oral traditions. In Matthew 23:23-24 , Jesus criticizes them, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel."

This passage highlights the Pharisees' focus on minor details while neglecting the more significant aspects of the law, such as justice and mercy. Jesus emphasizes that true righteousness involves a heart aligned with God's values, not merely external compliance.

Paul's Teachings on Legalism

The Apostle Paul addresses legalism extensively in his epistles, particularly in his letters to the Galatians and the Romans. In Galatians 5:1-4 , Paul warns against returning to a yoke of slavery under the law: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law."

Paul argues that reliance on the law for justification nullifies the grace of Christ. He insists that faith in Jesus, not adherence to the law, is the basis for salvation. In Romans 3:28 , he states, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law."

The Jerusalem Council

The early church faced a significant challenge regarding legalism during the Jerusalem Council, as recorded in Acts 15. The question arose whether Gentile converts to Christianity should be required to follow Jewish law, particularly circumcision. The council, led by the apostles and elders, concluded that imposing the law on Gentile believers was unnecessary. Acts 15:10-11 records Peter's argument: "Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

This decision affirmed that salvation is through grace and faith in Christ, not through legalistic observance of the law.

The Spirit of the Law

Challenging legalism involves understanding the spirit of the law rather than merely its letter. In Matthew 5:17-20 , Jesus clarifies His position on the law: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches these commandments will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus fulfills the law by embodying its true intent and purpose, calling His followers to a deeper righteousness that surpasses mere legalistic observance. This righteousness is characterized by love, mercy, and a genuine relationship with God, reflecting the heart of the lawgiver.