Understanding Romans 7

[Steve Petersen]

There are two basic themes in Romans 7 that trip me up. The first concerns Romans 7:1-6. What does it mean to die to the law? To live in the Spirit and not to serve the law?

The second concerns Romans 7:7-20, but especially this passage:

But sin, finding opportunity in the commandment, wrought in me all kinds of covetousness. Apart from the law sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died; the very commandment which promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, finding opportunity in the commandment, deceived me and by it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. (Romans 7:8-12)​

How does sin lie dead apart from the law? Is it because of something like invincible ignorance? To me it seems like sin is evil and destructive by its very nature, and would wreak havoc with or without the law. And if sin is really dead apart from the law, then it would seem that the law is responsible for bringing death just as much as sin is, despite what Paul says in verse 13. How is it that "sin, finding opportunity in the commandment, deceived me and by it killed me."

Thanks in advance!

Gotta figure out which law Paul is talking about: the Law of God, the law of sin and death, or some other law.

 

[giftofGod2]

If it were the law of sin and death Paul would have identified it as such. When a law is not specifically identified it is the law of God by default.

 

[Steve Petersen]

If it were the law of sin and death Paul would have identified it as such. When a law is not specifically identified it is the law of God by default.

Says who?

 

[giftofGod2]

sound biblical hermeneutics and the Holy Spirit (and common sense).