What does the Bible say about legalism?

The concept of legalism is addressed significantly in the Bible, particularly in Galatians, where Paul rebukes the Galatian churches for turning back to weak and beggarly elements under the guise of legal observance. Paul emphasizes that legal practices, which are often rooted in the law, are essentially powerless for justification and do not contribute to true sanctification. Instead, they become a form of idolatry, where individuals place their faith in works rather than in Christ alone. Furthermore, the writer of Hebrews supports this by stating that the law was never designed to make anyone perfect, but to reveal sin and highlight our need for grace alone through faith in Christ.