8703 antinomianism

A form of spiritual anarchy, which rejects the law as having any place in the Christian life, whether as instructor or as assessor. Paul’s teaching that Christians are free from the law is sometimes misunderstood as antinomian. But Paul reveres God’s law, and teaches believers, who are free from the law as a system of salvation, to keep it out of gratitude for salvation freely given, and because holiness as defined by the law is the Christian calling.

Antinomianism as a rejection of God’s laws

Jer 2:20 See also Pr 29:18; Jer 5:5; Hos 8:12; 2Pe 2:10

Various people described as antinomian

Israel described as antinomian Eze 20:13 See also Ex 32:25; Jer 2:23-25; Hos 8:1; Zec 7:11-12

The ungodly described as antinomian Jude 4 See also 2Ti 3:1-5; 2Pe 2:13-15; Jude 8

The antichrist described as antinomian 2Th 2:3-10 See also Da 7:25; Da 8:9-12,23-25 The object of these prophecies, Antiochus Epiphanes, foreshadowed the antichrist in his behaviour.

Jesus Christ and his followers accused of antinomianism

Mt 11:19 See also Mt 12:2; Jn 9:16; Ac 6:11-14

Jesus Christ came to fulfil the law, not abolish it Mt 5:17-19

Paul rejects antinomianism

Ro 6:1-2 See also Ro 3:31; Ro 7:7

Misunderstandings, by opponents and converts alike, about Paul’s teaching on freedom from the law

Paul accused of antinomianism Ac 21:28 See also Ro 3:8; Ro 6:15

Paul corrects the Corinthians’interpretation of his teaching as a licence for antinomianism 1Co 10:23 The phrase “Everything is permissible” is probably the Corinthians’misinterpretation of Paul’s teaching. See also 1Co 5:1-8; 1Co 6:12-13

Punishment of antinomians

Jer 6:19 See also Ezr 7:26; Am 2:4-5; Rev 22:15

See also