Mr. D's Notes on I Timothy
Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.
Copyright 2000

CHAPTER 6

LEGALISM

What is legalism? If I don't go to movies, am I a legalist? If my wife doesn't use makeup, is she a legalist? If I don't shop on Sunday, am I a legalist?

Let us first define legalism. It is not someone that is very conservative in his lifestyle that you disagree with. It is not someone that you call legalist because you don't like the things he believes and stands for.

A legalist is someone that wants to place himself or others under the law or any system of rules whereby you can gain righteousness. It is living a certain way to prosper yourself spiritually before God.

Legalism has been a problem for the church at times.

Acts 15:1, "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."

This is scriptural legalism.

The council met in Jerusalem in the following section of Acts and determined that circumcision and the law were not a part of salvation.

Let's look at the law.

1. The law was never given to the Gentiles.

Rom. 2:14, "For the Gentiles, which have not the law. . . ."

The Old Testament specifies that the law was for the Jewish people.

The Law required the Sabbath or the 7th day to be kept as a day of rest, while the New Testament tells us that the saints worshiped together on the 1st day. As a little sidelight - how do you relate to the terms Christian Sabbath? Sabbath is Saturday and nothing else. It isn't Sunday.

2. The Law was given to the Jews.

Rom. 9:4, "Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;"

The Old Testament also shows that the law was for the Israelites.

3. The Law was used until the seed was come.

Gal 3:19, "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator."

The law is finished until the Millennium when it will be re-instituted to some extent. The Gospels tell us that the veil of the temple between the holy place and the holy of holies was rent as Christ died.

The law has no legal aspect over the church age believer. We have free access to God through prayer!

The moral aspect of the law is still our guide and principle however.

Rom. 8:4, "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

The right and wrong of the law, as in murder etc. is still our guide but the ceremonial aspect of the law is not to be fulfilled. Example: Circumcision, sacrifice.

4. The law is a schoolmaster in the church age.

Gal 3:24-25, "Wherefore the law was our school master to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."

"But after that faith [salvation] is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."

Rom. 9:31-32 mentions that even some of the Jews failed the law in that they sought to fulfill it by works and not by accepting God by faith.

Gal 6:15 tells us that it isn't circumcision but it is the new creation that is needed. In short it isn't works, but tis rebirth!

5. The law was not to save people.

It pointed to Christ.

Gal 3:19, "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator."

It allows the lost to know that they are sinners.

Rom. 3:20, "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

6. The law was made for sinners.

Rom. 3:20, "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

Anyone trying to follow the law for the seeking of righteousness is bound by the law that they cannot keep. They are lost to hell.