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Romans 7 Freedom from the Law

1 An Illustration From Marriage
Do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to men who know the law—that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?

2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.

3 So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man.

4 So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.

5 For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.

6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

7 Struggling With Sin
What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”

8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead.

9 Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.

10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.

12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.

15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.

18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;

23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.

24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

25 Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Previous Chapter Romans 6 Next Chapter Romans 8

Analysis of Romans Chapter 7

Romans Chapter 7 is a critical passage within the Pauline epistles and offers an in-depth exploration of the relationship between the law, sin, and the believer’s life in Christ. The chapter both builds upon and transitions from the arguments made in previous chapters, especially Chapter 6, where Paul contrasts life under the law with life in grace. This chapter can be divided into three main sections: the relationship between the law and the believer (verses 1-6), the law and sin (verses 7-13), and the inner conflict between the flesh and the spirit (verses 14-25). Here, I’ll delve into each section, providing a detailed and insightful analysis.

The Relationship Between the Law and the Believer (verses 1-6)

Paul begins this chapter by addressing those who are familiar with the law, likely the Jewish members of the Roman church. He uses the analogy of marriage to unveil a complex theological principle:

“Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives?” (Romans 7:1, NIV)

Paul explains that a woman is bound to her husband by the law only as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is released from that law. Similarly, believers have died to the law through the body of Christ so that they might belong to another, to Him who has been raised from the dead. The purpose of this analogy is to demonstrate that by dying with Christ, believers are released from the obligations and penalties of the Mosaic Law. Here, Paul outlines a transition from the old covenant to the new, a key theme in his theology.

This release from the law enables believers “to serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code” (verse 6). The idea is that through union with Christ’s death and resurrection, believers are liberated from the law’s dominion and can now live in the freedom and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, which contrasts starkly with attempts to adhere to the written codes that highlighted human transgressions.

The Law and Sin (verses 7-13)

Paul then addresses a critical objection: If the law brings knowledge of sin and leads to death, is the law itself sinful? He vehemently denies this:

“What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.'” (Romans 7:7, NIV)

Paul asserts that the law is holy, righteous, and good, but it is sin that manipulates the law to produce death. For example, the commandment “You shall not covet” illuminates the desires of the human heart, but it is the sin inherent in human nature that takes the opportunity to exploit this commandment, resulting in sinful actions.

  • The Purpose of the Law: It was meant to reveal the holiness of God and delineate His standards for righteous living. However, it also exposes human sinfulness by defining what sin is.
  • Sin’s Deceptive Nature: Sin takes the good and holy commandments and uses them as a base for rebellion against God, showing its truly malignant nature.

This section dissects the profound paradox: the good law inadvertently brings awareness of sin and thus, death. Yet, this is not a failure of the law itself but a demonstration of the pervasive power of sin, which Paul terms as “exceedingly sinful” (verse 13).

The Inner Conflict Between the Flesh and the Spirit (verses 14-25)

The final section of Romans 7 is perhaps the most discussed due to its autobiographical tone, as Paul describes his own internal struggle with sin:

“We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:14-15, NIV)

Paul’s description of his inner turmoil provides insight into the Christian experience of sanctification. Despite understanding the law and desiring to uphold it, he finds himself repeatedly failing to do so. This passage reflects the dichotomy between the regenerated spirit and the unredeemed flesh:

  • The Regenerated Spirit: The part of the believer that aligns with God’s will and delights in His law.
  • The Unredeemed Flesh: Refers to the residual sin nature and fleshly desires that persist even after conversion.

Paul’s transparency about his own struggles emphasizes that even the most devout believers contend with sin. This inner conflict can be discouraging, but Paul is not merely lamenting his own failures. He is identifying with the struggles of all believers, encouraging them by sharing his experience.

He describes a war between two laws: the law of God and the law of sin:

“So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” (Romans 7:21-23, NIV)

This passage paints a picture of intense spiritual warfare. Despite his desire to follow God’s law, Paul sees himself as a captive to the law of sin. He ends with an expression of despair followed by a declaration of hope:

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25, NIV)

His cry for deliverance points to the ultimate resolution found in Jesus Christ. Paul acknowledges his helplessness, but he also recognizes that salvation and victory over sin come through Christ alone. This anticipates the triumphant declaration of liberation in the subsequent chapter, Romans 8: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, NIV).

Conclusion

Romans Chapter 7 is a profound chapter that dives deep into the believer’s relationship with the law, the pervasive power of sin, and the internal struggle of living a holy life amidst an unredeemed flesh. Paul’s discussion is neither an indictment of the law nor a resignation to the power of sin but a candid exploration that underscores the necessity of Christ’s redeeming work.

The chapter is structurally well-organized, moving from the doctrinal explanation of the law’s role and its relationship to sin, to a more personal reflection on the struggle with sin. It serves as a theological bridge to the hope and assurance offered in Romans Chapter 8, reinforcing the message that while the law highlights human sinfulness, believers are ultimately freed and empowered through Christ.

In summary, Romans 7 offers a realistic portrayal of the Christian experience — highlighting the ongoing battle with sin and the law, yet pointing resolutely towards the hope and victory found in Jesus Christ. This passage, therefore, continues to resonate deeply with believers, offering both an honest appraisal of human frailty and a hopeful reminder of divine grace.