antinomian

1 of 2

noun (1)

an·​ti·​no·​mi·​an ˌan-ti-ˈnō-mē-ən 

1

: one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace (see grace entry 1 sense 3a) the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation

2

: one who rejects a socially established morality

antinomian adjective

antinomianism

ˌan-ti-ˈnō-mē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

noun

antinomianism

2 of 2

noun (2)

an·​ti·​no·​mi·​an·​ism ˌan-ti-ˈnō-mē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

plural -s

: the theological doctrine that by faith and God's gift of grace through the gospel a Christian is freed not only from the Old Testament law of Moses and all forms of legalism but also from all law including the generally accepted standards of morality prevailing in any given culture

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

New Latin antinomus "person holding antinomian beliefs" (from anti- anti- + -nomus, borrowed from Greek nómos "custom, convention, law") + -ian — more at nomothetic

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1643, in the meaning defined above