1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to [her] husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of [her] husband.
3 So then if, while [her] husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, [even] to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not [in] the oldness of the letter.
7 What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin [was] dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10 And the commandment, which [was ordained] to life, I found [to be] unto death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew [me].
12 Wherefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Overview of Romans Chapter 7
Romans Chapter 7 is a pivotal passage in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, where he delves into the relationship between the law, sin, and grace. This chapter highlights the internal struggle faced by believers as they navigate their faith in light of the law and their sinful nature.
The Law and Its Purpose
Paul begins by explaining the role of the law in relation to sin and death. He uses the analogy of marriage to illustrate how the law binds individuals until death, after which they are free to belong to another.
- The law is described as having authority over a person only as long as they are alive (Romans 7:1).
- Through death, believers are released from the law’s binding nature (Romans 7:4).
The Struggle with Sin
In this section, Paul expresses the tension between the desire to follow God’s law and the reality of human sinfulness. He acknowledges that the law itself is good, but it also reveals the sinful nature of humanity.
- Paul articulates the paradox of wanting to do good but often falling into sin (Romans 7:15).
- He describes the conflict between the mind, which desires to follow God’s law, and the flesh, which succumbs to sin (Romans 7:18-19).
- This internal battle leads Paul to a cry of despair, recognizing the struggle against sin (Romans 7:24).
The Role of the Holy Spirit
While Chapter 7 primarily focuses on the struggle with sin and the law, it sets the stage for the subsequent chapter, where Paul introduces the role of the Holy Spirit in overcoming this struggle. The acknowledgment of the law’s limitations leads to a deeper understanding of grace and the transformative power of the Spirit.
Theological Implications
Romans 7 presents several key theological implications:
- The Nature of the Law: The law is holy and righteous, but it also exposes human sinfulness.
- The Human Condition: All people struggle with sin, and this struggle is a universal experience.
- The Need for Grace: The awareness of sin leads to the recognition of the necessity for grace and redemption through Christ.
Conclusion
Romans Chapter 7 serves as a profound exploration of the conflict between the law and sin, illustrating the believer’s struggle and the need for divine intervention. It highlights the importance of understanding the law’s purpose while pointing towards the hope found in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
