An answer for Leviticus 21:18–20
18 For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, 19 Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, 20 Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;
This passage is often misunderstood and misapplied by those who do not rightly divide the word of truth. Some have used it to suggest that people with physical disabilities are disqualified from serving God today, or that such individuals are somehow less acceptable in ministry. This interpretation is not only doctrinally incorrect—it is spiritually harmful. To understand this passage properly, we must begin by recognizing its dispensational context.
Leviticus was written to the nation of Israel under the Mosaic Law. It outlines ceremonial, civil, and religious instructions for Israel’s priesthood, particularly the sons of Aaron who served in the tabernacle. Leviticus 21 sets physical qualifications for those priests, not for believers in the Body of Christ. These requirements were part of Israel’s covenant relationship with God and were designed to maintain ceremonial purity in a physical temple system. They were never intended for the Church, which is a spiritual body functioning under a completely different program.
Today, we are not under the Law. Scripture is clear: “For ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). The Law, with its ordinances and priesthood, was abolished in Christ (Ephesians 2:15). God is no longer operating through Israel’s prophetic program. That program has been temporarily suspended (Romans 11:25), and we now live in the dispensation of the grace of God, revealed to the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 3:2). In this dispensation, God is forming the Body of Christ—a spiritual organism made up of all believers, regardless of nationality, gender, or physical condition.
To apply Leviticus 21:18–20 to the Church today is to wrongly divide the word and confuse Israel’s earthly program with the Church’s heavenly calling. In the Body of Christ, there is no distinction based on physical appearance or ability. All believers are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6), and God delights in using the weak and overlooked to display His grace and power (1 Corinthians 1:27). The Church is not a continuation of Israel’s priesthood; we are a new creation, with a heavenly position and spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
Rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) means recognizing the distinctions between Law and Grace, Israel and the Church, Prophecy and Mystery. Leviticus belongs to the Law and the prophetic program for Israel. That program is not in effect today. Our doctrine comes from Paul’s epistles—Romans through Philemon—which were written to the Church, the Body of Christ, in this present age of grace.
In summary, Leviticus 21:18–20 does not apply to us today. It was written to Israel under the Law, governing their Levitical priesthood. We are not under that law, nor are we part of that priesthood. We are under grace, and in Christ, all believers are fully accepted and qualified to serve, regardless of physical condition. To teach otherwise is to misrepresent the gospel of grace and to deny the truth of our position in Christ. Let us stand firm in rightly divided truth and teach others to do the same.
CONTINUED CORROSPONDENCE from a Reader:
You say in regard to “the Law with its ordinances and priesthood” that “That program is not in effect today.”
I agree as so far as we are talking about those who remain in Christ but is it not the case that as Paul says in Galatians
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Therefore, according to Paul “That program” e.g. “The Law” with all its ordinances is indeed in effect and constitutes an ongoing “curse” for those who depart from the “freedom” in Christ by reverting to an attempt to achieve righteousness through observance of “the Law”.
MY REPLY for Clarity:
Thank you for your thoughtful engagement. You’ve raised an important point about the Law’s ongoing relevance—not as God’s active program today, but as a binding system for those who choose to place themselves under it. Let me respond to your observations with clarity and grace, rightly dividing the Word of truth.
You quoted Galatians 5, and rightly so. Paul warns believers not to return to the Law as a means of righteousness:
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” —Galatians 5:1
This “yoke of bondage” is the Law. It was never given to the Church, the Body of Christ, but to Israel under the Mosaic covenant. Today, that program is not in effect—meaning it is not how God is operating. We are under grace, not Law:
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” —Romans 6:14
However, you’re absolutely right to point out that the Law still functions as a curse for those who attempt to be justified by it. Paul makes this clear:
“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.” —Galatians 3:10
So while the Law is not God’s current program, it remains spiritually consequential for anyone who rejects grace and tries to earn righteousness through performance. That’s why Paul says:
“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” —Galatians 5:4
Now, regarding your distinction between positional truth and practical consequences—that’s a valid and important point. The Galatians were still saved. They had trusted Christ, and their justification was secure. But by returning to Law-keeping, they were forfeiting the benefits of grace in their walk. They weren’t losing salvation—they were losing liberty, joy, and spiritual fruitfulness.
Justification is not based on our performance. It is a gift, resting entirely on the completed work of Christ:
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” —Romans 3:24
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” —Romans 5:1
Even if a believer backslides or falls into legalism, his standing in Christ remains secure. What suffers is his experience of grace—not his position. That’s why Paul laboured to restore the Galatians to sound doctrine, not to re-save them.
So yes, the Law still condemns those who place themselves under it. But for those in Christ, the Law has no dominion. We are not under that program. We are under grace, and our righteousness is imputed—not earned:
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” —2 Corinthians 5:21
In summary:
The Law is not God’s active program today.
It remains binding for those who reject grace and seek righteousness through works.
Believers who revert to Law abandon the practical benefits of grace, but not their positional justification.
Our standing in Christ is secure, because it rests on His finished work—not our performance.
Thank you again for engaging so thoughtfully. These distinctions matter deeply, and I appreciate your desire to uphold the truth of our liberty in Christ.
Grace and peace to you as you continue to stand fast in that liberty.
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