Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Legalism?
11 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Legalism in the Bible
What does the Bible say about legalism? Browse 12 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.
Top 10 Verses About Legalism
- 1Matthew 5:20
“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
KJV - 2
- 3Matthew 23:23
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. anise: Gr. dill”
KJV - 4
- 5
- 6
- 7Romans 3:28
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
KJV - 8Galatians 2:16
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
KJV - 9Galatians 2:21
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
KJV - 10Galatians 3:10
“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”
KJV
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Legalism? (11 Verses)
“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,”
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. anise: Gr. dill”
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
“Then said they unto him, What shall we do , that we might work the works of God?”
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Legalism
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about legalism. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about legalism and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about legalism is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on legalism needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about legalism with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about legalism, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Legalism?
You have studied 11 verses about legalism. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.