Dictionary of Bible Themes The belief that salvation demands or depends upon total obedience to the letter of the law. Examples of legalism include an excessive concern for minute details of the law coupled with a neglect of its funadmental concerns, and a preoccupation with human legal traditions. Romans 9:31-32Legalism represents a fatal misunderstanding of the purpose of OT law See also Romans 3:20Galatians 3:10-11 Galatians 2:16 Legalism is contrary to the gospel See also Matthew 23:13,15Romans 3:20-24 Philippians 3:8-9 Philippians 3:4-6 Paul: example of a Jewish legalist See also Galatians 1:14Matthew 23:23 The ugly effects of legalism Lack of love See also Hosea 6:6Legalism actually contradicts the spirit of OT law. Micah 6:7-8Matthew 23:14 fn Luke 10:31-32 John 7:49 Luke 18:11-12 See also Spiritual pride Matthew 6:1-2,5,16; 23:5-7Luke 16:15 Romans 10:3 Isaiah 29:13 See also Formalism Mark 7:6Isaiah 29:13 See also Degeneration into man-made rules Mark 7:7-8Matthew 23:27-28 See also Hypocrisy 1 Samuel 15:19-22Matthew 15:3-9 Matthew 23:25-26 John 7:19 pp Mk 7:9-13 John 9:16Spiritual blindness Matthew 16:6Warnings against legalism See also Matthew 16:12pp Mk 8:15 Galatians 4:10-11; 5:2-4Acts 15:10 The burden of legalism See also Psalms 130:3James 2:10 Acts 15:11 The answer to legalism: the grace of Jesus Christ See also Matthew 5:17Galatians 3:13; 4:21-31 Ephesians 2:8-9 See also 5110 Paul, teaching of5135 blindness, spiritual 5383 lawsuits 5589 trap 6670 grace & Holy Spirit 6677 justification, necessity 7552 Pharisees, attitudes to Christ 7560 Samaritans, the 8024 faith & blessings 8157 righteousness as faith 8767 hypocrisy 8802 pride |
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