No — 'all things are lawful' does not mean Christians are free to sin; it means the believer is no longer under the law but is under grace.
Paul says 'all things are lawful' because the cross has ended the law's rule over the believer; we are not under the law but under grace. But Les Feldick stresses that grace is not license — not all things are expedient, and believers are not to be brought under the power of anything. So the phrase points to freedom from legalism, not freedom to commit sin.
1 Corinthians 6:12 — Paul uses the phrase 'all things are lawful' here and immediately qualifies it with 'but all things are not expedient' and 'I will not be brought under the power of any.'
1 Corinthians 10:23 — Paul repeats the same principle, adding that not all things edify.
Romans 6:14-15 — This passage explains the foundation of Christian liberty: believers are not under the law but under grace, and must not use that freedom as an excuse to sin.
The apostle Paul states, 'All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any' (1 Corinthians 6:12). He repeats the same truth: 'All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not' (1 Corinthians 10:23). Scripture thus never presents 'all things are lawful' as an invitation to sin; it immediately limits the principle with 'expedient' and 'edify not.'
Les Feldick teaches that when Paul says 'all things are lawful for me,' the apostle is not declaring moral anarchy. Rather, 'there was no set law resting on Paul's shoulders that thou shalt not. The cross has finished all that' (Clip 1). The believer is not under the law but under grace, and that is 'as different as daylight is from dark' (Clip 6). Because the legal system of Israel has been set aside, the believer stands in what Les calls 'such intense liberty' that few Christians understand (Clip 4). Yet Les is emphatic: 'grace is not license' (Clips 2, 7). Paul is not free to do the things contrary to the law, and when Romans asks, 'Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace?' the answer is 'God forbid' — or, as Les prefers, 'banish the thought' (Clips 3, 6). Under grace, everything God said 'thou shalt' does not become permissive; it becomes something the believer does from within. The believer will not steal, commit adultery, or worship idols (Clip 5). Les also points to Paul's qualifications: not all things are expedient, and not all things edify. Every believer must be careful in practice because believers and unbelievers are watching (Clips 1, 2). If a believer fails, God does not respond with the law's penalty of death by stoning, but deals in love and discipline (Clip 4). Sin, or 'old Adam,' is not to have dominion, because the believer is under grace (Clip 7).
No. Paul asks, 'Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?' and answers 'God forbid' (Romans 6:15). Les Feldick emphasizes the same truth: 'I never imply that we are now free to do as we please. Oh God forbid!... grace is not license' (Clip 2). Grace removes the believer from the law's rule, but it does not remove moral boundaries.
Paul qualifies 'all things are lawful' by saying not all things are expedient and not all things edify (1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23). Les Feldick explains that although no law forbids Paul from doing anything because he is not under the law, not all things are good for him — so he will not do whatever he thinks he is free to do. Believers must be careful what they practice because people, believers and unbelievers alike, are constantly watching (Clips 1, 2).
Under the law, the Sabbath rule was 'pick up sticks on the Sabbath day' and the result was death by stoning. Under grace, if a believer fails, God does not cast him out or utterly chastise him; He deals with him in love, moving from one level of discipline to another (Clip 4). Les says everything God said 'thou shalt' does not become permissive; it becomes something that comes from within the heart of a believer (Clip 5).
Les Feldick teaches that Paul does not say believers are free to break the commandments. Paul reiterates the moral commandments — believers are not to steal, commit adultery, or have pagan idols — and the Ten Commandments are not of no earthly good. But believers are not under them as Israel was under the legalistic system; they are now under grace (Clips 5, 6, 7).
Washed from Gross Immorality
Les describes how gross immorality was part of everyday life in Corinth, then notes Paul's words that 'such were some of you' — showing the changed life in view of salvation.
All Things Lawful Defined
Les explains that 'all things are lawful' means no set law rests on the believer because the cross has finished the law; yet this does not make the believer free to do things contrary to the law.
Grace Is Not License
Les insists grace is not license; though all things are lawful, not everything is good or edifying, and believers must be careful because others are watching.
Shall We Sin? God Forbid
Les applies Paul's answer to Romans 6 — the believer is not under law but grace, and that never gives license to sin.
Intense Liberty with Discipline
Les contrasts law's death penalty with grace's loving discipline, calling the believer's liberty intense yet not a reason to fail carelessly.
Lawful Means from Within
Les says the believer will automatically adhere to the moral commandments — not because of law, but from the heart; believers don't steal, commit adultery, or worship idols.
Not Under Israel's Legalistic System
Les clarifies the believer is not under Israel's legalistic system and answers Romans 6:15 with 'God forbid' or 'banish the thought.'
Sin Does Not Have Dominion
Les stresses Romans 6:14 — sin, or old Adam, shall not have dominion because the believer is not under law but under grace, and again repeats grace is not license.
1 Corinthians 6:12: All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Paul states the principle in question and immediately qualifies it with 'not expedient' and 'not under the power of any.'
1 Corinthians 10:23: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Paul repeats the same principle, adding that all things edify not.
1 Corinthians 6:11: And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Paul reminds the Corinthians that those who practiced such sins were washed, sanctified, and justified.
Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
This verse explains why sin is not to have dominion: the believer is under grace, not law.
Romans 6:15: What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Paul asks if grace means we may sin, and answers 'God forbid.'
Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
This verse, referenced by Les, captures the liberty Christ gives.
No. Paul immediately says not all things are expedient and that he will not be brought under the power of anything (1 Corinthians 6:12). Les Feldick stresses that grace is not license; the believer is not free to do as he pleases even though he is not under the law.
It means the believer is no longer under the legalistic system of Israel with its rituals, sacrifices, and commandments as a rule system. Romans 6:14 says sin shall not have dominion because you are under grace. Les describes this as 'as different as daylight is from dark.'
Les teaches that Paul reiterates the commandments — the believer is not to steal, commit adultery, or worship idols — so they are not of no earthly good. But the believer responds to them from the heart under grace, not out of legal obligation.
Watch the Teaching: What 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Really Says About Who Goes to Heaven