Released from the Law, Now Bound to Jesus
Paul returns to the subject of rules, regulations and laws. In regard to God’s Law, Paul has already told us that the purpose of the law was to show that we are sinners (see Romans 3:20). In the Old Testament the law is referred to by many terms and words, such as statutes, decrees, ordinances, commandments, judgments, testimonies, etc. These terms are often redefined and sometimes combined together with other terms like “law and gospel,” that can be misleading or at minimum confusing. No matter how mankind interprets God’s Law it is important since it reveals the true character and nature of God.
So, is following the law important for us today? Was the law important to those in the Old Testament? Absolutely, for example we see that the law was important to Moses (see Exodus 18:13-16; Deuteronomy 6:1-9); to King David (see Psalm 19:7-10; 119:1-8, 160); to King Solomon (see Ecclesiastes 12:13); to the prophet Isaiah (see Isaiah 42:21) and to the prophet Malachi (see Malachi 4:4). By the time of Christ, many considered obedience to the law (obedience only as interpreted and explained by men) not only as a godly way of living, but they also considered it a means of salvation, something that God never intended. Therefore, faith in the law (any form of the law) had effectively superseded faith in God. The Jews had elevated the law to the point that obedience to the law became like an idol to them, essentially taking their eyes off God. Paul knew his readers, and many of them were still looking for compliance to protocol or ritual even after accepting Jesus as the Messiah.
7:1 Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?
Chapter seven opens with Paul by saying he is speaking to those who know law. Since the definitive article in the Greek is absent, Paul is making a general comment about any law. There was God’s Law and there were many interpretations of that law, for this discussion, it did not matter, so he simply says, “to those who know law,” (many Bible translations add the word ‘the’ before the word law, however that is not how the Greek appears). At first it sounds like Paul is making a straightforward statement, that law is no longer binding after a person dies. To illustrate this point, Paul will use an analogy.
7:2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
He says that a married woman is bound by law to stay with her husband as long as her husband is alive. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. Paul is not specific about which law, nor is he presenting any new interpretation of God’s law, he is simply using this reference to make a point. He continues by saying the wife would be called an adulteress if she lived with another man while her husband is still alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from the law and can marry another man without being called an adulterer. Again, Paul is only using this example as an analogy, he is not to interjecting any law about marriage in this epistle. However, it is interesting to note that throughout the Bible, God uses the concept of marriage to be a model for the highest form of love, namely the love God has for us. In both the Greek and English, the concept of adultery refers to being unfaithful, desiring something or someone else. When we look to the world and not to God, we become adulterers ourselves. This is why God, at times, called the nation of Israel an adulterous nation.
7:4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.
Paul now switches from the analogy to the application. He points out that likewise, all believers have died to the law (now referring to God’s Law, see also Galatians 2:19; 5:18; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14) through the body of Christ (see also Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:22). We have died with Christ and are no longer bound to the law. However, we are now bound to Jesus, the One that was raised from the dead. So that we may bear fruit for God (see Romans 6:22, remember, it is the fruit that defines who we are, see also Galatians 5:22-23). Before we were saved, our sinful passions were at work in our lives and since God’s law accused us of our sin and condemns us to death, the self-indulging fruit we were bearing was leading us to death, not life.
7:6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.
Paul then announces the good news and points out that believers are now released from the law, having died to the law that held us captive. So that we can serve God in a new way (Greek word ‘kainotēs’, only used twice in the Bible and both times can be found in the book of Romans, see Romans 6:4, referring to newness). So, what is new or different about us? We have the Holy Spirit! (see also Romans 2:27-29; 2 Corinthians 3:6) We no longer follow the old way of following the letter of the law. The Greek word translated here as “the old way” is ‘palaiotes’ and it appears only once in the Bible, it can be translated as “belonging to the past,” (see also Hebrews 8:13).
The New Living Translation renders this verse this way: “But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.” (Romans 7:6, NLT)
Paul is calling attention to those who desire to strictly follow laws, rules, rituals and traditions, and is reminding them that things are different now. We are to stop following the old way, or things that belong to the past, and embrace the new way by following God. The psalmists might remind us to “Sing to the Lord a new song!” (see Psalms 33:3; 96:1; 98:1) We are free from the law, any law, but what do we do with our freedom, do we exploit it? No! We give that freedom right back to Jesus and seek to obey everything He has instructed us to do. “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20). In order for us to teach others we need to know first everything He commanded us, there is no replacement (or short cut) to knowing the Word of God.
7:7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead.
Even though the law cannot save a single person, offer a process of sanctification, nor condemn a believer; the law is very much still in effect (and always will be) and can still hurt a believer. To some, the law might be thought to be bad or even evil since it points out that we are sinners but cannot help us correct that flaw. Paul asks should we consider the law sin? Of course, he answers with his usual emphatic response, “By no means!”
Paul reminds his readers that if it had not been for the law, he would not have known sin. Why would Paul (or us) want to know sin? So that we would know when our actions (or thoughts) are wrong, as well as know what we should be doing instead. Paul is reiterating Romans 3:20, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” Without our knowledge or acceptance that we are sinners, we would still be sinners, but without hope. With the law, we can see that we are indeed hopeless sinners and are in need of help from a Savior.
Paul uses the concept of covetousness as an example, saying he would not have known what it means to covet, the desire of what is forbidden, if the law did not say, “You shall not covet” (see Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21; Colossians 3:5). Paul makes a curious statement, that sin would then take the opportunity, through the commandment, to produce in him all kinds of covetousness. Paul is not implying that sin is some form of an intelligent entity, he is saying that even though he would have had those thoughts of desire before knowing the law, it is only after the knowledge of the law that he knew those thoughts and any subsequent actions were wrong and forbidden (see James 1:14-15). To summarize, Paul says that apart from the law, sin is dead (see Hosea 13:44; 1 Corinthians 15:56). The New Living Translation renders this verse, “But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power.” (Romans 7:8, NLT)
7:9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.
In claiming that he once was alive apart from the law, Paul is acknowledging that at one time he did not know the law. While there are some who like to debate as to whether or not Paul is referring to himself in these verses (he is writing first-person singular), there is no reason to not accept the fact that he is indeed referring to his own weaknesses, no one is exempt, including Paul, there are no exceptions. We are all influenced by our own human frailties. When the commandment of the law came alive (became effective), Paul says at that point is when he died. Again, using the New Living Translation to aid in understanding the verse, “At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life, and I died.” (Romans 7:9-10a, NLT, note that some translations move the location where verse ten begins to just before the reference to dying.) We are once again reminded again that, “The Law is a ministry of condemnation. The Law can do nothing but condemn us.”[1] Martin Luther wrote in his Glosses for this verse (an interlinear with explanation for his students):
“I knew this in my spirit; and in this is the explanation for everything, that I died and I thought I was alive, and the very commandment which, by nature and of itself, promised life proved, through the knowledge of the Law, indeed it was revealed to me through the Spirit; because Matt. 19:17 tells us: “If you would enter life, keep the commandments,” to be death to me. For “the written code kills” (2 Cor. 3:6).”[2]
7:10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.
Paul points out that the same law that promised life, proved to be death to him, sin had indeed deceived him, and it killed him. It is vital for all believers to understand that sin is deceiving! It deceived Paul and it has deceived us and will continue to deceive us. One of the greatest deceptions is thinking that we won’t be deceived and that we don’t need any additional help. That’s called being deluded and self-righteous, but that may be just the beginning of our problems since deceptions often cascade, where one misinterpretation leads into another. This may be why deception is thought to be our enemy’s favorite and potentially greatest weapon. Deceptions often go unchecked since we think we already know the truth. Note that in this situation, we truly are our own worst enemy. That it is why we need to study the Word of God for the rest of our lives. The author of the book of Hebrews would warn us, “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.” (Hebrews 3:12-14, NLT)
7:12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.
Paul continues by further pointing out that the law is therefore holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. The rules and regulations of the law are indeed pure, perfect and separate from the world. Knowing that some may not understand that the role of the law was to show us that we are sinners, he asks, “Did that which is good, then, bring death to me?” By now you know his response, by no means! He clarifies that death came as the result of sin, and sin must be exposed to be what it really is, sin! And that it might become sinful beyond measure (Greek word ‘hyperbolē’, means exceedingly), which it has done just that in each of our lives.
The preaching of the law is a necessary component of presenting the gospel message. If we do not understand that we are sinners, we certainly will not see that we need to be saved, nor will we understand that we need a Savior (see Galatians 3:19-29).
So, what really is the law? We know there are different components to the law, including what may best described as ceremonial law, moral law and judicial or civil law. Some have identified the law to have 613 separate commands, 248 of which that are to be followed and 365 things that should be considered forbidden. Here is a quick summary of what the law offers: the law is holy, which reveals God’s character, holiness and perfection (see Psalms 19:7; Romans 7:12); the law defines and exposes sin (see Romans 3:20; 7:7); the law confirms the need to be separate from sin, to be holy; the law reveals God’s plan for salvation (see Matthew 5:17, pointing out that Jesus will do all the work); the law informs us that God will not forsake us (see Deuteronomy 30-33); the law reveals the need for us to reap and sow (see Deuteronomy 11:26-28; Galatians 6:7); the law reveals the need for an intercessor (see Numbers 3:3; 1 Timothy 2:5); the law reveals how a substitutionary sacrifice works (see Numbers 28:6; Hebrews 9:22); the law points to Christ through the use of several models (see John 1:19; Hebrews 7:27); and the law can be summarized in the words: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37b-40) In other words, the law is all about LOVE!
So far Paul has identified several characteristics regarding God’s law. In short, it cannot save anyone; it cannot sanctify anyone (make them holy); it cannot condemn a believer; it is and always will be in effect; it is not sin, but yet it identifies us as being sinners; through it we know what we should and should not do; however, it was not the law that brought death, that came from sin, our sin. In the epistle that bears his name, James summarized how our sin leads to death: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15) In Romans 7:13, Paul asked the question, “Did the law, which is good, cause my death?” (NLT) The answer of course, is no! We must realize that sin is a serious problem, and we are responsible for our sin, even after accepting Jesus as our Savior.
7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.
In this verse Paul reminds us again of the dichotomy we live in, he says that the law is spiritual, but he (and that would include all of us as well) is of flesh, sold under sin. Here he is saying that since the law is spiritual, the problem is our flesh. Can a Christian still have a fleshly nature? Yes, believers may not be condemned by the flesh, but our fleshly nature is still in us. It remains as a hindrance in our relationship with God. Paul wrote in his first epistle to the church in Corinth, “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3) A Christian must grow in God and His Word, with the desire to mature in Christ. Even though Christians are saved from the effects of sin, being cleansed of sin, we continue to fall short of God’s perfect standard.
By saying he is “sold under sin,” Paul is admitting that he is just like us, continually struggling with sin. In the next ten verses, Paul will offer an intimate and personal testimony of his own internal conflict. This section of the book of Romans is too often incorrectly interpreted. Some theologians and scholars believe that since Paul is the epitome of a strong and deeply spiritual Christian, that he must not be referring to himself in these verses. They believe that a “true Christian,” could never struggle as Paul describes here. Therefore, they propose that Paul must be talking to non-believers, or at best, carnal Christians, but certainly not about himself. The first thing we need to remember is that all of the New Testament epistles were written for Christians, not for those that have not accepted Jesus. Secondly, it is clear that Paul has been following a logical progression in this book that addresses the believer. Paul is indeed referring to himself, he is waving a red flag for all Christians to see and understand, we are all still vulnerable to sin, lust and temptation. While not condemned, our sin can still impede our relationship with God (see also 1 Peter 3:8-12). Paul wants us to have the best possible relationship with Jesus! Paul will now open up and expose his own personal struggle with sin. Another point in favor of the fact that Paul was referring to himself, he continues to use the first-person singular, translated simply as “I,” which in some English translations is used over forty times, making these verses somewhat of a tongue-twisting challenge to read.
7:15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Paul next states that he does not understand his own actions, saying that he does not do what he wants to do, but instead does the things that he hates. This is Paul talking, someone with tremendous discipline, if we are honest to ourselves, we could profess the same weakness in us. He continues by saying that if he does what he does not want to do, he agrees with the law, since the law also identifies it as being wrong. Which is good that he knows that it is wrong, so why does he do it? Paul explains that it is not him that is doing it (in other words it is not his rational self), but his sinful nature that is still living inside him (see 1 John 1:9-10). He then admits that “nothing good dwells in me.” Now before you gasp, wondering how Paul could say such a thing, especially since he possesses the Holy Spirit, he explains: “that is, in my flesh.” He is talking about the part of us that is not yet completely transformed, the part that remains vulnerable to sin, namely our sinful nature. He further states that he really does have the desire to do what is right but regrets not having the ability to do it. Like us, Paul has the desire to do the right thing, a desire that grows more intense as we become more mature in Christ.
7:19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.
He summarizes that he finds it a law (many translations use the term ‘principle’ here to minimize confusion with God’s law, or any other written law), Paul is saying that whenever he wants to do right, evil is nearby. The New Living Translations renders this verse: “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.” (Romans 7:21, NLT) Paul’s ‘principle’ aligns with what God told Cain long ago, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6) We need to resist sin, lust and temptation and that includes any outside influences. James would further remind us of and possibly admonish us to, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7-8) The key here is to draw near to God.
7:22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Paul says he delights in the law of God (this time he is referring to God’s law), but he sees in his own body another principle at work that has waged war against God’s law and his mind (referring to his rational self again), that has made him captive to the law of sin that dwells in his body. The New Living Translation offers this version: “But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.” (Romans 7:23, NLT) This almost sounds like a terrifying science fiction plot. You can almost see Paul gyrating around with his hand on his head, screaming, “it has control over me, I am out of control, what am I going to do?” He then states, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me for this body of death?” Paul recognizes that he is out of control, he cannot help himself. Just like all Christians, we are all in need of help, he is not talking only about our salvation, he is talking about the here and now. The answer, of course, is Jesus! Paul thanks God for recognizing our dilemma to provide for us not only a path to heaven to spend eternity with Him and His Son, but also the ability to serve God here on earth, even though our flesh nature still serves the law of sin. See, Paul is human too!
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[1] McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Romans 1-8) (electronic ed., Vol. 42, p. 128). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[2] Luther, M. (1999). Luther’s works, vol. 25: Lectures on Romans. (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald, & H. T. Lehmann, Eds.) (Vol. 25, pp. 61–62). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.