Romans Chapter 7

Rick Moffett​​ 

Note –​​ This chapter contains many verses that are controversial as to their interpretation. However, the main points of Paul’s message seem obvious. Paul’s primary point is that​​ those who were once under the Law (Jews) have died to the Law. Furthermore, when you put yourself (either Jews or Gentiles) under law, either the Mosaic Law or any self-imposed law, you arouse the power of sin that dwells in your physical body. And as Paul has been saying, sin always produces death!

Note #2 -​​ Some believe that​​ chapter 7​​ picks up where​​ 6:14​​ left off (this position makes sense, but there is no concrete evidence for it). If that is the case, then​​ verses 6:15-23​​ are inserted by Paul as a parenthesis, addressing the anticipated concerns that, if we are not under Law, there will be no restraint from sin. This concern is still raised today.​​ Please read Additional Notes on verse one for a better understanding of the context of this chapter.​​ 

Romans 6.14​​ - For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

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V1​​ Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?

Summary -​​ Paul​​ asks this rhetorical question to make a point. Are you continually ignorant of the law? You should know that the law has power over a person only when that person is alive. ​​ 

Comments –​​ Paul identifies a group of people who share some things in common. First, they are “brethren”. Paul also used this description in​​ Rom.​​ 1:13​​ where he was​​ referring to the church in Rome, which was composed of both Jews and Gentiles. He then further identifies this group of people as​​ “those who know the law”. This surely included the Jews, though many of the Gentiles were also aware of the basics of the Mosaic Law. And of course,​​ Paul had exceptional knowledge of the Law​​ (Phil. 3:4-8). It seems likely, however, that Paul was specifically targeting those Jews who had received Christ but continued to attempt to live under the Mosaic Law or at least some form of it. This is certainly understandable since beginning at a young age the Mosaic Law was the focal point of the Jewish life.​​ 

Additional Notes

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V2 For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; But if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the​​ husband.

Summary -​​ A married woman is united with her husband while her husband is alive, but if the husband dies the woman is released from any legal jurisdiction to her now-dead husband.​​ 

Comments –​​ Paul gives​​ v2-3​​ as an illustration for his statement in​​ v1. These two verses are ONLY an illustration and not necessarily a commentary on marriage.

Additional Notes

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V3 So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress;​​  But if her husband dies, she is free from the law, So that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.

Summary –​​ If a woman joins​​ herself to another man while her husband is still living, she becomes an adulteress; but once her husband dies, she is free from any legal obligation to her now-dead husband, thus she is free to join herself with another man and would not be considered an adulteress.​​ 

Comments –​​ The marriage illustration continues. The main point of the illustration is that death breaks the relationship and makes a new relationship possible.

Additional Notes

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V4 Therefore my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ So that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.

Summary –​​ As a result (of what he said in​​ v1), your union with Christ’s death has made you die to the Law, so now you can be joined to Christ’s life, which can now result in a productive life that will bring glory to God.

Comments –​​ Bearing fruit for God is the outcome of being joined to Christ. This “fruit” could be manifest in many different ways. As we walk by the power of the Holy Spirit, we may be led to participate in many different activities where we can​​ express the fruit of the Holy Spirit and ultimately bring glory to God as we minister life to others. ​​ On the other hand, Law living can never produce this fruit. All law living is done in one’s flesh (self-effort, independent of God) and can only lead to death.​​ 

The relationship between Christ and the church is a love relationship, not a legal relationship as it had been for the Jewish believers under the law. It is not about doing something, but rather about knowing a person – Jesus Christ!

For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.​​ Galatians 2.19​​ 

Additional Notes

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V5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were​​ aroused​​ by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

Summary –​​ When we were in the flesh (before receiving Christ), the desires of the power of sin were stimulated by the Law and worked through our physical body to​​ produce dead works (or works that lead to death).​​ 

Comments –​​ The Law tells us what to do and what not to do. These rules or laws tend to “stir up” or energize the power of sin that dwells in us, leading us to commit sinful acts. It is not the Law that causes us to sin, but the response of our flesh to the Law.​​ 

It is important to note that while this verse is speaking about the unregenerate man (“in the flesh”), the spiritually reborn man can also have the same response when he chooses to put himself under law, either the Mosaic Law or his own self-imposed law (rules). The potential to act according to the flesh exists in all men, regardless of their spiritual condition.​​ 

Example –​​ Think about a time when you made a statement or vow not to behave in a specific way. Perhaps it was something in which you were struggling and knew was not in your best interest, like overeating. You may have said something like this, “I am not going to eat ice cream anymore”. When you make that declaration, you have just made a law for yourself. Now, how long did you go before you broke that law? How often did you think about “not eating” ice cream? What food, above all others, did you crave and became your focus? That’s why diets usually fail. When we make for ourselves “laws” as to what we will and will not do, we are doomed to fail!​​ For more on this subject, see​​ the article,​​ Understanding the Flesh​​ on this website.​​ 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;​​ 1 Corinthians 15.56​​ 

Additional Notes

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V6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound So that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.​​ 

Summary -​​ Paul contrasts man’s condition before he received Christ by faith, i.e., in the flesh and bound to the Law, with his new condition, in the Spirit joined to Christ and released from the Law. Now we serve God in a new way, indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit, rather than the old way under Law.​​ 

Comments –​​ “oldness of the letter”​​ - In his second letter to the church at Corinth (2 Cor. 3:1-8), Paul uses similar language and then refers to the “letters” engraved on stones, i.e., the ten commandments, which of course, are part of the Mosaic Law. Note what he says​​ (v6), the letter (Law) kills, but the Spirit (Holy Spirit) gives life.​​ 

Again, Paul said in his letter to the Galatian church (Gal. 3:21) that there is no law that can impart life!

So many Christians are deceived today, thinking they must live under the Mosaic Law (or at least parts of it) or the laws of man’s own making (especially church denomination’s laws). Christ came to set us free, not to put us under the bondage of the Law. Amen.​​ 

Additional Notes

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V7​​ What shall we say then? Is the Law sin ? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET."​​ 

Summary -​​ Paul starts this verse off by putting to rest the idea that the Law is sin. He states that it was the Law that made him aware of the power of sin in his life. He then gives an example of the sinful act of coveting, of which he was made aware by the Law.​​ 

Comments –Paul begins to speak in the first person as he shares his personal experience from this point forward in​​ chapter seven.​​ 

Interesting that Paul chose one of the Ten Commandments as an example – “You shall not covet”​​ (Ex. 20:17).​​ Many Christians wrongly believe that we are still “under” the Ten Commandments; that we were only released from the​​ ceremonial Law. However, nowhere in scripture is the Law divided into parts. Nowhere is any part of scripture referred to as “ceremonial law”. The scriptures indicate that if a person is under the Law, he is under the whole Law​​ (Gal. 3:10; 5:2-4; Jam.​​ 2:10); thus, if he fails to keep any of it, he is guilty of failing to keep all of it.

Additional Notes

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V8 But sin taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; For apart from the Law sin​​ is​​ dead.​​ 

Summary -​​ It is the Law (Mosaic or any self-imposed law) that arouses and gives the power of sin a foothold. Here Paul refers to​​ coveting, but it applies to all acts of sin. Without the Law, sin may seem to be dead, but it is still alive, even if we are unaware of its presence.​​ 

Comments –Sin is always there waiting for the opportunity to spring forth and control our lives​​ (Gen. 4:7).​​ Attempting to live by law provides that opportunity or “starting point” for sin. Trying to keep a law always appeals to our flesh and acting according to one’s flesh is always sin.​​ 

“dead”​​ is used figuratively here. “Dormant” might have been a better choice of words. Sin is inactive when it is separated from the Law​​ (1 Cor. 15:56).​​ 

Additional Notes

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V9​​ I was once alive apart from the Law;​​  But when the​​ commandment came,​​  sin became alive and I died;​​ 

Summary –​​ Paul states that he was once alive apart from the Law, i.e., before he understood the true purpose of the Law. When the Holy Spirit revealed the truth of the Law to him (the commandment came), he was aware of his sin (sin became alive) and it does what it always does – produced death (by its condemnation).​​ 

Comments –​​ Paul was not alive apart from the Law, he just didn’t realize he was dead (spiritually separated from the life of God). Until you have become spiritually alive, you cannot know you were spiritually dead.

Paul began to study the Old Covenant Law as a young teenager and eventually became a Pharisee. Until his conversion on the Damascus road​​ (Acts 9), Paul had put his​​ hopes of being right with God on his ability to keep the Law. He stated about himself “as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.”​​ (Phil. 3:5)​​ 

Additional​​ Notes

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V10​​ and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;​​ 

Summary -​​ Again, Paul is talking about the 10th​​ commandment, “Thou shall not covet”; however, this truth​​ applies to any part of the Law. Before the Holy Spirit revealed the truth to Paul, he believed that keeping the Law would result in life, but when his eyes were opened by the Holy Spirit, he realized that attempting to keep the Law only brought death.

Comments –​​ Sadly, most Christians attempt to live by either the Mosaic Law or some self-imposed law their entire lives. Paul did the same, and as he discovered, the Law only arouses sin, and sin always produces death. ​​ That is the central message Paul is trying to communicate to us in this seventh chapter of Romans.

21​​ Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.​​ 22​​ But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.​​ Galatians 3.21-22​​ 

No Additional Notes

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V11 For sin taking an​​ opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.​​ 

Summary -​​ The power of sin was working through the commandment (Law) to deceive Paul and produce death. Paul was deceived into believing he could keep the Law and thus, be right with God.

Comments –​​ Sin always produces death, be it physical, soulical, and/or spiritual. We were​​ dead​​ (separated from the life of God)​​ spiritually​​ as a result of Adam’s sin in the garden. Sin also results in​​ physical death​​ – a gradual process by which our body wears out and eventually dies. Also, sin can produce​​ death in our soul​​ (mind, will, and emotions) by keeping us from experiencing the life of Christ.​​ To better understand man’s spirit, soul, and body, see the article,​​ God’s Design for Man​​ on this website.

Additional Notes

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V12 So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.​​ 

Summary -​​ The Law of God is set apart for his purpose. It is not partial or prejudice, but beneficial for its designed purpose.

But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,​​ 1 Timothy 1.8

Comments –​​ It is important to understand that the Law (Mosaic) had a specific purpose.​​ 

The purpose of the Law –​​ 

• to reveal/expose sin -​​ Gal. 3:19; Rom.​​ 5:20​​ 

• to be our guardian until Christ came –​​ Gal. 5:23-25

Ultimately the Law demonstrates that no one can keep it perfectly (except Christ).​​ 

The Law did not come to –​​ 

• impart life -​​ Gal. 3:21

• make a person righteous –​​ Rom. 3:20

• justify a person –​​ Gal. 2:16; 3:11

• change our behavior -​​ Col. 2:20-23; Titus 2:11-12

Unfortunately, most Christians use the Law as a standard to guide their behavior. But as we see in this seventh chapter of Romans, the Law does not deter sinful activities, rather it stirs up the power of sin in those who attempt to live by it​​ (Rom. 7:5). ​​ 

Consider the following about the Law –​​ 

• it empowers sin –​​ 1 Cor. 15:56

• it is not made for a righteous person –​​ 1 Tim 1:8

• it brings condemnation and death –​​ 2 Cor. 3:4-9

Additional Notes

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V13 Therefore did that which is good become​​ a cause of​​ death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is​​ good, So that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.​​ 

Summary -​​ One’s logical conclusion might be that the commandment (Law) is the cause of death, but that would be incorrect. It is sin that is the​​ cause of death. The commandment (Law) is good, for it exposes the sinfulness of sin.

Comments –​​ The Law exposes the ugliness of sin in a person’s life.

Additional Notes

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V14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into​​ bondage​​ to sin.​​ 

Note​​ –​​ the word “bondage” does not appear in the original Greek. The King James Version (KJV) has a more accurate translation –​​ 

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.”​​ 

Summary -​​ Context​​ – In​​ v12 – 13,​​ Paul is emphasizing to his readers that it is not the Law that is causing sin and thus, death; but that the Law is good and holy. Rather, it is sin that is the cause of​​ these things. Here in​​ v14​​ Paul reminds his readers of something they should know. What? That the Law is spiritual (from God), but that he still lives in a body of flesh where the power of sin resides waiting to lure him away (Gen. 4:7).

Comments –​​ Many commentators talk about​​ verses14-25​​ as though it is separate from the rest of​​ chapter 7. I see it as a continuation of what Paul has been saying from the beginning of this chapter - that we died to (been released from) the law; and any attempt to live by law will arouse the power of sin and lead to our defeat!​​ 

There is also a great debate as to Paul’s spiritual condition. Was he born again or not when he shared his experience described in​​ v14- 25? I believe he absolutely was a Christian here (which is why he experienced such conflict). Again, the point in these verses is that when a person (Christian or non-Christian) tries to live under the Law (Mosaic or any self-imposed rules), the power of sin will be aroused, resulting in a life of defeat! Paul continues to speak in the first person as he has since​​ v7.

Note -​​ The word “carnal” does not only refer to the unregenerate. Paul referred to those who had been spiritually reborn as “carnal/fleshly” in several places in his writings-​​ 

Additional Notes

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V15 For what I am doing, I do not understand;​​  For I am not practicing what I​​ would​​ like to​​ do,I am doing the very thing I hate.​​ 

Note -​​ As always, be aware of the context. Paul is still talking about the Law in this chapter. Every previous verse in this chapter has mentioned either the Law or the commandment.

Summary -​​ I don’t understand why I’m not doing that which I am determined to do, but rather, I’m doing the very thing that I hate.​​ 

Comments –​​ Paul is saying, when he determined to live by the Law, he found himself unable to do so; rather, he ended up doing the very thing he hated. This is the plight of anyone, Christian or non-Christian, who attempts to live by the Law. The Law arouses the power of sin, which dwells in our physical body. The Law commands us to perform; thus, attempts to live by Law are always done according to the flesh, i.e., self-effort, independent of God (which is always sin).​​ 

Paul could not understand this, nor can we until we realize a few things, which Paul is about to tell us​​ (see v17 - 25).

Additional Notes

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V16​​ But if I do the very thing I do not want​​ to do,​​ I agree with the Law,​​ confessing​​ that the Law is good.​​ 

Note –​​ “But”​​ and​​ “confessing”​​ – are not in the original Greek language. The English​​ Standard Version​​ (ESV)​​ offers a better translation of this verse -​​ Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.​​ 

Summary -​​ Since I’m doing the thing I don’t really want to do; I must agree that the Law is good. ​​ 

Comments –​​ “This is a picture of a believer who finds himself in agreement with the Law by his disapproval of that which is forbidden by it. That he acts contrary to it is no evidence that he has a bad opinion of it. The conflict is not between the Law and the believer, it is between the believer and what the Law condemns.”​​ Vine’s Expository Dictionary

Additional Notes

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V17​​ So​​ now, no longer am I the one doing it, But sin​​ which dwells in me.​​ 

Note -​​ “So” –​​ is​​ not in the original Greek.

Summary -​​ Paul comes to the realization that it is the power of sin that influences and urges him to do the things he does not want to do.

Comments –​​ Is Paul denying responsibility? No. He is saying that it is sin that dwells in him that influences and urges him to do the thing he does not want to do. Paul has the choice to NOT commit acts of sin, but he cannot overcome the power of sin in his own strength.​​ 

Does this sound​​ familiar? - “OK, this time I’m serious. I’m going to start (or stop) doing​​   .”​​ 

How did that work for you?

Our willpower and resolve are no match for the power of sin. We need a higher power to overcome its urgings. Paul will tell us about that​​ higher power later in this letter. ​​ 

Additional Notes

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V18​​  For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my​​  flesh for the willing is present in me, But the doing of the good​​ is​​ not.​​ 

Summary -​​ Paul declares that he now knows by​​ his experience that nothing good dwells in his flesh (his physical body and his self-effort). He desires to do good (keep the Law) but is unable to do so (the Law gives no power to keep it).​​ 

Comments –​​ Paul continues to share his struggle and is gradually exposing the problem.

Additional Notes

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V19 For the good that I want, I do not do,​​  But I practice the very evil that I do not want.​​ 

Summary -​​ Paul says that he can’t do the good (keep the Law) that he wants, but rather, he practices the evil he doesn’t want to do.​​ 

Comments –​​ Most, if not all Christians have experienced this same fate when attempting to keep a law as a guide for their behavior.​​ For example, I’m going to get up at 4 a.m. every morning and pray for an hour; I’m never going to get into an argument with my spouse again; no more ice cream for me; I will read 3 chapters in my Bible every day; etc. Sound familiar?

Additional​​ Notes

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V20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.​​ 

Summary -​​ Paul restates the realization that it is the power of sin that dwells in his physical body that influences him to do the things he does not really want to do.

Comments –In the previous verse, it was Paul’s behavior being contrasted. Here, it is the source of the behavior that is​​ being contrasted. Paul says, if the behavior is not something I want to do, then it must be someone or something else doing it. He correctly identifies that is the power of sin dwelling in his physical body that is the source of the behavior!

Additional Notes

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V21​​ I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.​​ 

Note –​​ the Greek word “nomos” (translated as principle or law) is used five times in​​ verses 21-23. In each case, it is referring to a principle, rather than to the Mosaic Law. It is used as a statement of fact based on Paul’s discovery – “I find”​​ (v21).

Summary -​​ Paul discovers that the power of sin is always there attempting to prevent him from doing the good he really wants to do.​​ It is so​​ consistent that it is like a law (principle).​​ It is analogous to the law of gravity.​​ 

Example –​​ every time you jump up, you will discover the law of gravity.​​ 

Comments –​​ What is “the​​ principle” (law)?​​ There is a force/influence or power called “sin” that dwells in the physical body of all mankind. This power is always there and is well-disguised waiting to keep us from doing the good things that we really want to do.​​ 

Sadly, this truth is rarely taught. The enemy has done an excellent job of keeping his methods of warfare well-disguised! For a better understanding of the power of sin, please read the article,​​ The​​ Controlling Power of Sin​​ on this website.​​ 

Additional Notes

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V22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the​​ inner man,​​ 

Summary -​​ Paul explains his struggle. In the previous verse, he stated that he had discovered that the power of sin is always there attempting to prevent him from doing the good he wants to do. In this verse, he declares that his inner man (his born-again​​ spirit) agrees with the urgings and promptings of God that lead to the expression of the character of God.

Comments –​​ Here is the reason there is such a battle with the power of sin.​​ As Christians, we have another power that is in union with our “inner man” (our born-again spirit). Paul discusses this further in the next chapter. The person who has not been born again does not have this same battle going on within them.

Additional Notes

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V23 But I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.​​ 

Summary -​​ Again Paul​​ tells us of the truth that he has experienced. This principle is so consistent, it is just like a law (principle), e.g., the law of gravity. It is different, however, from the “law of God” mentioned in the previous verse. This principle refers to the power of sin that dwells in his physical body (his members), and it is waging war against his thinking (his mind) and can result in making him a captive to its power. ​​ 

Comments –​​ Here, Paul identifies the strategy of the power of sin. It attacks our minds. For a better understanding of the power of sin, please read the article,​​ The Controlling Power of Sin​​ on this website.

Additional​​ Notes

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V24​​ Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

Summary -​​ Paul is experiencing a miserable condition and realizes his helpless state. He cries out for someone to deliver him from the power of sin that resides in his physical body!

Comments –​​ “Wretched man”​​ - This is the cry of a person who realizes they are unable to meet the demands of the Law; and this failure usually results in condemnation!​​ 

We are powerless to live the Christian life by a set of rules or laws (which is always attempted through self-effort, i.e., the flesh). We are no match for the power of sin. This realization is the place in which we all need to come; it is the place of surrender – I can’t live the Christ-life by my efforts (flesh)! It is the place where we realize our real weakness. I believe we have to come to this understanding before we can learn to walk in complete dependence on Christ Jesus, i.e., by the Holy Spirit. Surrender is always preceded by a period of brokenness, which could be defined as a process of breaking man from putting confidence in his flesh (or anything other than Christ)​​ (Phil. 3:3).​​ 

That was Paul’s experience and that is the message he is trying to communicate in this chapter.

Additional Notes

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V25​​ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am​​ serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin

Summary –​​ Paul answers the question he asked in the previous verse – it is Jesus Christ who will and has rescued him from the power of sin​​ which always leads to death.​​ He then concludes that he has the choice to live according to the Holy Spirit or according to the flesh (fueled by the power of sin).​​ 

Comments –​​ We can be walking according to the Holy Spirit one second and then according to the flesh the next. We choose moment by moment either life (Spirit) or death (flesh).

Additional Notes

Additional Notes by verse:

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V1~​​ Or do you not know, brethren (for I am​​ speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?

“Or do you not know,” – the​​ same phrase as in​​ Romans 6:3,16.​​ 

“Or” –​​ connects​​ 7:1​​ with​​ 6:14​​ and puts​​ chapter 7​​ in context.​​ 

“not know”​​ means to be ignorant. Here, it is in the​​ present tense, thus Paul is saying, “Are you continually ignorant?", or "Do you continually fail to recognize this truth"?

“brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law),” –​​ Paul establishes exactly to whom he’s speaking here -​​ 

“brethren” –​​ used in​​ Rom. 1:13​​ also.

“know”​​ -​​ ginosko​​ (Gr)​​ –​​ See “Additional Notes” on​​ Romans 6:6.​​ 

Has the​​ basic meaning of taking in knowledge in regard to something or someone; knowledge that goes beyond the merely factual. By extension, the term frequently was​​ used of a special relationship between the person who knows and the object of the knowledge. It was often used of the intimate relationship between husband and wife and between God and His people.​​ preceptaustin.org

“the​​ Law” –​​ there is some question as to whether this is talking about the Mosaic Law or law in general. The definite article “the” is not in the original Greek here, thus leading me to believe that “law” here is referring to all law in general, which would certainly include the Mosaic Law. Recall, the Pharisees in their efforts to both interpret and keep the Mosaic Law, implemented many petty rules and regulations that they taught must be followed to be acceptable to God. Lest you look down on the Pharisees, consider that the church is doing the same thing today! Don’t watch TV; don’t dance; don’t drink alcohol; memorize scripture; have a “quiet time” every morning; etc. While these prohibitions may be good, living by them still puts you in bondage to the law.​​ 

So “law” here would be any system of law living. Law living would be defined as attempting to live by an external standard or set of rules.​​ See “Additional Notes” on​​ Romans​​ 6:14​​ concerning law living.

“that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?” –​​ 

Paul begins his arguments for “not living under law”, be it the Mosaic law or any other form of rules/regulations. Paul states that “the law” has jurisdiction -

“jurisdiction” – ​​ kratos​​ (Gr)​​ - power or strength or force.

“as long as he lives?” –​​ Paul has already told us that we were baptized into Christ’s death​​ (Rom. 6:4-8), thus we died to sin. Here​​ Paul makes the statement that a person is only under the power or jurisdiction of the law as long as he is alive. In the next two verses, he gives an illustration of this truth using marriage. Then in​​ v4​​ Paul declares that we were also made to die to the law, through the body of Christ (we were united/baptized into Christ’s death).​​ 

Return

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V2~ For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is​​ living; But if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.​​ 

“bound” –​​ deo (Gr) -​​ to bind, knit or tie.​​ 

“released”​​ –​​ katargeō (Gr) - ​​ same Greek word as in​​ Rom.​​ 6:6; 7:6;​​ Heb. 2:14.​​ 

katargeō​​ - from​​ ata​​ and​​ argeo; to​​ be​​ (render)​​ entirely idle​​ (useless), literal or figurative: -​​ abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void.​​ Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

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V3~ So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; But if her husband dies, she is​​ free from the law, So that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.

“adulteress” –​​ moichos (Gr) –​​ a woman who has unlawful intercourse with the spouse of another person.​​ 

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V4~ Therefore my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, So that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit​​ for God.

The principle that was previously stated​​ (v2-3)​​ is that when a person dies, he is free from any legal jurisdiction or obligations he may have been subject to while he was alive.​​ 

“my brethren” –​​ again, Paul refers to his readers as​​ “brethren”. See​​ v1​​ for comments.

“you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ,” –​​ this is the main point of​​ chapter 7. The definite article “the” is used here, which means Paul is likely referring to the Mosaic Law in this verse. Paul is no doubt speaking to his Jewish brothers here (Gentiles were never under the Mosaic Law).​​ 

Note that Paul did not say that the Law died. However, the Mosaic Law is no longer the way for Jews to relate to God. The Old Covenant of Law was fulfilled by Christ and at His death, replaced by the New Covenant of grace. We relate to God now through his Son, Jesus Christ.​​ See​​ Galatians 4-5; Hebrews 8-10.

How did they die to the Law? – “through the body of Christ”.​​ 

Paul has just finished saying that those​​ who were baptized into Christ, were baptized into his death​​ (Rom 6:3-8). Recall in​​ chapter 6, that​​ “baptized” means “to be placed into”​​ and it is referring to spiritual baptism. Thus, we who have received Christ by faith, have been placed into or said another way, “spiritually united” with Christ in his death.​​ 

“through the body of Christ”​​ – refers to Christ’s physical body that was crucified on the cross. ​​ 

“so that you might be joined to another,” – ​​ 

​​ “joined” –​​ ginomai (Gr)​​ -​​ means to cause to become or to come into existence and more literally "having become another man's".

"to another"​​ - heteros—another of a different kind.​​ 
heteros​​ expresses a qualitative difference and denotes "another of a different sort."​​ 
Vine's Expository Dictionary​​ 

The Jewish believers were once bound under the Law, but since they have died to the Law (through their union with Christ’s death), they are now free to come into a relationship with another one of a different kind.​​ 

“to Him who was raised from the dead,” –​​ speaking of Jesus. We can now be joined (enter into a relationship) with Jesus. Again,​​ this is what Paul said in​​ chapter 6​​ – we were baptized into Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We are now joined or united with him. The church is spoken of in scripture as the bride of Christ​​ (2 Cor. 11:2). We are joined to Christ as his bride!

“in order that we might bear fruit for God.” –​​ 

“bear fruit” –​​ karpophoreo (Gr)-​​ literally means to bring forth fruit, to be fertile, productive.​​ Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

“bear fruit” -​​ metaphorically​​ -​​ (a)​​ of works or deeds,​​ "fruit" being the visible expression of power working inwardly and invisibly, the character of the "fruit" being evidence of the character of the power producing it.​​ Vine's Expository Dictionary

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V5~ For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were​​ aroused​​ by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

Perhaps a better translation –​​ 

V5​​ For when we were in​​ the flesh, the sinful passions which were through the law, worked in our members to bring forth fruit to death​​ Hebrew Names Version (HNV)

​​ “while we were in the flesh”​​ 

“Were”-​​ is in the imperfect tense which speaks of durative action (an action that is ongoing, progressive or continual) in the past.​​ preceptaustin.com

“flesh”​​ – it is critical to understand the different ways this word is used in scripture!​​ For more on this subject, see​​ the article,​​ Understanding the Flesh​​ on this website.​​ 

“in the flesh”​​ - here refers to the unregenerate man, i.e., the person we were before we were spiritually reborn.​​ 

“sinful” –​​ all that man does “in​​ the flesh” is sinful.​​ 

“the sinful passions,” –​​ 

“passion” - pathema​​ (Gr) from pascho​​ (Gr)= suffer (where the suffix– "ma" indicates that which is suffered) in this context means passions, impulses, affections or strong inward emotions. Although not the primary meaning of pathema in this verse, the other meaning deserves mention and contemplation for it refers to the very pain that we are experiencing right now because of sin, those very things that we can "see, touch and feel" - those things that are causing us anguish and emotional trauma.​​ preceptaustin.org

“which were​​ aroused​​ by the Law,” –​​ the word “aroused” is not in the original Greek, however, it does seem to communicate the meaning of this verse.​​ 

“were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.” –​​ 

“were at work” –​​ (energeo​​ from en = in + érgon = work. English = energetic) means they worked effectively to cause something to happen. They worked energetically to produce results. The​​ imperfect tense pictures the continual​​ activity - over and over these sinful passions effectively and efficiently exerted their influence on our various body parts.​​ preceptaustin.org

“work”​​ - to energize; to be active, or operative.

“members of our body” –​​ refers to the various parts of our physical body.​​ Keep in mind that our physical bodies are not sinful. Our bodies can be used for sin or righteousness as we saw in​​ Romans 6:13. Also, keep in mind that the power of sin exists in our physical bodies​​ (Romans 6:6,12; 7:17,23); and desires to control us.​​ See the article,​​ The Controlling Power of Sin​​ on this website. ​​ 

“bear fruit for death.” –​​ a​​ similar phrase as in​​ v7:4​​ (fruit for God), only this time it is fruit for​​ death!

When a person, Christian or non-Christian, walks according to the flesh, it is always sinful and it will always produce death. Death is the opposite of life. Life produces joy and peace, while death produces condemnation, conflict, and sorrow in our souls.

6​​ For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,​​ 7​​ because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for​​ it is not even able​​ to do so,​​ 8​​ and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.​​ Romans 8.6-8​​ 

Additional comments -​​ Remember the focus of​​ chapter 7​​ is that we died to the Law. It seems logical that if we have laws (rules and regulations), people would obey them and all would be well. But, our personal experience should serve to invalidate that “logic”. Paul is saying just the opposite, that the Law only arouses man’s sinful passions and it results in works that lead to death.​​ 

Law living, either​​ according to the Mosaic Law or rules we place upon ourselves, cannot control the power of sin that dwells in all of us. See what Paul wrote to the Colossian church –​​ 

20​​ If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,​​ 21​​ “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!"​​ 22​​ (which all​​ refer​​ to​​ things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?​​ 23​​ These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and​​ self-abasement and severe treatment of the body,​​ but are​​ of no value against fleshly indulgence.​​ Colossians 2.20-23​​ 

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V6~ But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound So that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.​​ 

“But now” –​​ frequently used phrase by Paul.​​ 

“we have been released from the Law,” –​​ 

“released from” –​​ the​​ same Greek word as in​​ Romans 6:6, 7:2,​​ and​​ Hebrews 2:14. ​​​​ 

katargeō​​ (Gr)​​ – means to render powerless or to release from a prior​​ obligation.​​ 

​​ “the Law” –​​ probably refers to the Mosaic Law. Again, Gentiles were never under the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic Law was given to Moses and the​​ nation of Israel at Mt. Sinai. The Mosaic Law is also referred to as the Old Covenant. This covenant was between God and Israel.​​ 

“having died to that by which we were bound,” –​​ as in​​ v4, it is our death with Christ that releases a person from the Law.​​ 

“bound,” -​​ katecho from katá = intensifies meaning + écho = have, hold; means we were held fast, held down, confined or retained. It meant to prevent someone from doing something by restraining, hindering or holding down (as Paul explained in​​ Rom. 1:18​​ - of unregenerate men actively, continually "holding down" or "suppressing" the truth of the Gospel). Paul explains that the Law had a firm hold on unbelievers and held them as their master. Katecho was a legal term conveying the picture of “taking possession of property”. preceptaustin.org

“so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.” - ​​​​ 

“so that” –​​ Term of purpose/result.​​ 

In this phrase, Paul is contrasting our new way of life with our old way of life before we received Christ and were spiritually born again. The old way for the Jew was to live in bondage to the Law. The new way for all men is freedom in Christ.​​ 

“serve” -​​ diakoneō​​ is a verb occurring about 40 times with the primary meaning "to minister" or "serve" in​​ most of these contexts. "Serving" in the general sense of offering hospitality or particular service and help.​​ Expository Dictionary of Bible Words

“newness” -​​ kainotēs​​ is the noun from which​​ kainos​​ is derived. The term occurs only twice, in​​ Rom. 6:4; 7:6. In both contexts,​​ kainotēs​​ refers to the new quality of life granted to the believer as the consequence of coming to faith in Christ.​​ Expository Dictionary of Bible Words

The new man in Christ has a new heart, a new human spirit, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.​​ We are a new creation!

“of the Spirit” –​​ speaking of the Holy Spirit that indwells every person who has been born again.​​ 

“of the Spirit” - Note that the word Spirit may be spirit (lowercase “s”) to contrast with the written document, the Law. The thought then is that believers do not live by the “oldness” of the Law but by the “newness” of a regenerated spirit. On the other hand, Spirit may refer to the Holy Spirit, the Source of new life. In the final analysis beloved, are not both the little "s" and big "S" interpretations true?​​ preceptaustin.org

“and not”​​ – contrasts the new with the old – how we are now with how we were.​​ 

“in oldness of the letter.”​​ –​​ 

“oldness” – palaiotes​​ (Gr) from palaios = old in the sense of worn out,​​ decrepit, useless; describes obsoleteness, antiquatedness or oldness. Palaiotes describes one's characteristic state of being obsolete (or superseded). Romans 7:6 (the only use in Scripture) describes God's "planned" obsolescence regarding the law.​​ preceptaustin.org

“letter” – gramma (Gr) from grapho = engrave, write, describes a writing, a letter (including a letter of the alphabet), a note, legal code, etc. It referred to a document or letter one writes. The letter in this context is synonymous with the law.​​ 

Any attempt to place oneself under law, be it the Mosaic or​​ otherwise, will always result in an attempt to keep that law or set of rules in one’s own strength (according to the flesh) and that can only produce death.

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V7~​​ What shall we say then? Is the Law sin ? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET."​​ 

“What shall we say then?”​​ “What shall we say” would be like asking, "What conclusion are we to draw (from the previously stated truths)?”​​ See “Additional Notes” on​​ Romans​​ 6:2.

“Is the Law sin?” –​​ Paul anticipates this question from his readers. He asks what he knows many people (especially the Jewish readers) are thinking.​​ 

“May it never be!” -​​ Paul is strongly expressing his disagreement with any who would suggest the notion that God’s Law​​ is sin.​​ See “Additional Notes” on​​ Romans​​ 6:2.

“On the contrary,” –​​ a statement of contrast or opposition.

“I would not have come to know sin except through the Law;” –​​ 

“to know” – ​​ ginosko (Gr)​​ - a prolonged form of a primary verb; to “know” (absolute), in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follows, with others not thus clearly expressed): - allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know (-ledge), perceive, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.​​ Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. See “Additional Notes” on​​ Romans​​ 6:6.

It would seem that in this instance, the word “know” means “to be aware of”. Paul is saying that through the Law he was made aware of the power of sin.​​ 

“sin” –​​ again, sin is a noun here; a power or an influence that dwells where? The power of sin dwells in our physical body​​ (Rom. 6:6,12; 7:17, 20, 23).​​ 

“for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET."

“I” –​​ Paul speaking of his personal experience.

“known” –​​ eido; oida (Gr)​​ - ​​ "to have seen or perceived”.

“covet”​​ - to set the​​ heart upon, i.e.​​ long​​ for (rightfully or otherwise): - covet, desire, would​​ fain, lust (after).​​ Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

"YOU SHALL NOT COVET." – Exodus 20:17​​ – the last of the Ten Commandments.​​ 

Paul is saying that he would not have known he was coveting had it not been for the Law which told him not to covet.​​ 

Most of the Ten Commandments deal with external behaviors and thus, the violation of them is easily detected (although, a thought always precedes a sinful action). However, coveting is not as obvious. It is an issue of our desires (thoughts). And, is that not where​​ man’s sin began? In the garden, Eve desired the wisdom that she believed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil could give her​​ (Genesis 3:6).​​ 

Coveting seems to be the genesis of most sinful acts. Consider King David. He desired (coveted) another man’s wife and that led to adultery and murder.​​ 

1​​ From whence​​ come​​ wars and fightings among you?​​ come they​​ not hence,​​ even​​ of your lusts that war in your members?​​ 2​​ Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye​​ fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.​​ 3​​ Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume​​ it​​ upon your lusts.​​ James 4.1-3 (KJV)​​ Also,​​ James 1:14-15.

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V8~ But So taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; For apart from the Law sin​​ is​​ dead.​​ 

“sin” –​​ Paul continues to discuss the relationship between the power of sin and the Law. Paul continues to speak of that which dwells in our physical bodies, as opposed to an act of sin.​​ 

“taking opportunity through the commandment,” –​​ 

“opportunity”-​​ aphormē (Gr) -​​ properly "a starting point," was used to denote "a base of operations in war."​​ Vine's Expository Dictionary​​ 

“through the commandment,” –​​ the channel of action for sin was the commandment.​​ 

“commandment” –​​ in this particular instance, refers to​​ the commandment,​​ “You shall not covet”; however, any commandment (Law), be it the Mosaic Law or a self-imposed law would serve the same purpose, i.e., to give sin a place to act.​​ 

“produced in me coveting of every kind;” - ​​ 

“produced” - ​​ katergazomai (Gr) -​​ to​​ work fully, i.e.​​ accomplish; by implication to​​ finish, fashion: - cause, do (deed), perform, work (out).​​ Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

“coveting” –​​ see notes​​ v7.

“of every kind;” - ​​ pas (Gr) –​​ any, all, every, the whole.​​ Strong’s​​ Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

Sin was working through the Law to accomplish all kinds of lustful desires (coveting).​​ 

“for apart from the Law sin​​ is​​ dead.” –​​ 

​​ You could substitute the word “because” here.​​ 

“apart from the Law” –​​ without or​​ independent of the Law

“sin” –​​ (noun)​​ the power of sin​​ 

“is​​ dead.” –​​ nekros​​ (Gr)​​ – dead.​​ Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

“Dead” is used figuratively here. Sin has been alive since Adam sinned in the Garden. As we have already seen, law arouses sin​​ (v5). Attempts to abide by any law are always done according to the flesh. Everything done according to the flesh is sin.​​ (Romans 6:14 and Galatians 5:16-18)

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V9​​ I was once​​ alive apart from the Law;​​  But when the commandment came,​​  sin became alive and I died;​​ 

​​ “I was once alive apart from the Law;” –​​ when was Paul “apart from the Law”?

Paul was a Jew and a Pharisee at that. The Law had always been a part of his life until he discovered that it could not produce life.​​ 

​​ “the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;” –​​ 

It was the Holy Spirit that opened his eyes to the truth and Paul realized the Law (the commandment, “Thou shall not covet” in this example) could not save him, only condemn him to death.​​ 

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V11~ For sin taking an opportunity through the​​ commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.​​ 

Here Paul says essentially the same thing as in​​ v10.​​ 

“sin”–​​ the power of sin.

“taking an opportunity through the commandment” -​​ the exact​​ same phrase used in​​ v8.​​ See “Additional Notes” on​​ v8. ​​ 

“deceive” –​​ exapataō (Gr) - to​​ seduce wholly: - beguile, deceive.
Paul believed that keeping the Law would result in life, but when his eyes were opened by the Holy Spirit, he realized that he had been deceived; and that attempting to keep the Law only brought death.​​ 

“it killed me” –​​ sin always results in death.

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V12~ So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.​​ 

Paul is​​ stating a logical conclusion to what he has been saying since​​ v7​​ (that the Law is not sin).​​ 

“the Law is holy” - ​​ 

“holy” –​​ hagios (Gr)​​ -​​ is an adjective that commonly refers to those persons and things that are "holy" in the sense of being set apart for divine redemptive purposes. When predicated of God,​​ hagios​​ refers to his purity of character and is applied as part of the designation for the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.​​ hagios​​ is commonly translated "saint" with reference to the people of God.​​ Expository Dictionary of Bible Words

“the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” –​​ “commandment” here seems to refer to the same as “Law” in this verse. The Law and the commandment are the same and thus, both are holy, righteous, and good.

​​ 

“righteous” –​​ dikaios (Gr)-​​ signifies "just," without prejudice or partiality, e.g., of the judgment of God.​​ 2 Th 1:5, 6; of His judgments,​​ Rev. 16:7;​​ Rev. 19:2; of His character as Judge.​​ 2 Tim 4:8,​​ Rev. 16:5; of His ways and doings,​​ Rev. 15:3.​​ Vine's Expository Dictionary​​ 

Also, see notes on​​ Rom. 3:20.

“good” –​​ agathos (Gr)​​ – here it means intrinsically or inherently beneficial in its effects and/or useful in its action.

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V13~ Therefore did that which is good become​​ a cause of​​ death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin ​​ in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, So that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.​​ 

​​ 

Paul anticipates the logical conclusion to which his readers might arrive – “did that which is good become​​ a cause of​​ death for me?”​​ But as we see, the logical conclusion to which many would arrive is wrong.​​ 

“May it never be!” -​​ Paul is strongly expressing his disagreement with any who would suggest the notion that God’s Law is the cause of death.​​ See notes on​​ Romans 6:2.

“Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good,” –​​ Here Paul restates what he says throughout the book of Romans – sin is the cause of death. Death came into the world as a result of sin​​ (Rom. 5:12). The Law is good; it reveals sin.

“so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.” –​​ 

“so” –​​ a term of conclusion.​​ 

“through the commandment”​​ (Law), the power of sin would be​​ seen for what it is - utterly sinful.

“utterly” -​​ huperbole (Gr) from huperballo = a throwing beyond the usual mark from huper = above + ballo = cast) refers to a degree which exceeds extraordinarily a​​ point on an implied or overt scale of extent. It means extraordinary, far more, much greater, to a far greater degree, surpassing, beyond measure, utterly.​​ preceptaustion.org

“sinful” –​​ the law shows just how sinful sin really is.​​ 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;​​ 1​​ Corinthians 15.56​​ 

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V14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into​​ bondage​​ to sin.​​ 

​​ “For” –​​ a term of explanation.​​ Here it is​​ equated with “because”.​​ 

“For​​ we know” –​​ Paul uses this phrase or a similar one throughout the book of Romans.​​ 

“know” –​​ eido (Gr) -​​ To know; to understand; to perceive; to realize; to be very sure of this; to experience; to be acquainted with; to recognize; to acknowledge; to remember.
Practical Word Studies in The New Testament

“that the Law is spiritual,” –​​ referring to the Mosaic Law.

“spiritual,” -​​ pneumatikos (Gr) –​​ "always connotes the ideas of invisibility and of power. It does not occur in​​ the Septuagint* nor in the Gospels; it is in fact an after-Pentecost word.​​ Vine's Expository Dictionary​​ 

*Septuagint​​ - Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament);​​ derived from the Latin word for "seventy", thus often written “Lxx”.

“spiritual”​​ - here likely refers to the things of God. God is spirit.​​ John 4:24

“but I am of flesh” –​​ Paul makes a contrast with the Law and himself.​​ The Law is spiritual, but Paul is fleshly (carnal) or said another way, “that which pertains to flesh”.​​ 

​​ 

“I am”​​ – present tense, thus, “I am continually…”

“flesh” (“carnal” in KJV) –​​ sarkikos​​ (Gr) –​​ Is Paul speaking either of -​​ 1)​​ his body,​​ 2)​​ his fleshly (carnal) behavior (self-effort independent of God), or both.​​ I suggest it refers to both. Paul has a​​ body of flesh; and if he chooses, he can function “according to the flesh” (Both of these are true of all mankind, regardless of their spiritual identity).​​ 

​​ 

Note –​​ The man “in Adam” has no choice but to function according to the flesh.​​ 

See article,​​ Understanding the Flesh​​ on this website.​​ 

“sold under sin.” –​​ 

“sold” –​​ piprasko (Gr) -​​ is the perfect passive participle of​​ piprasko. It means "to be under the lure of", "to be devoted to".

“sin” -​​ (noun)​​ – the power of sin.​​ 

Paul is saying that he is carnal (just a man in a body of flesh), therefore, under the lure of the power of sin. Keep in mind that as long as we live in these earthly bodies, the presence of the power of sin will always be with us (regardless of our spiritual identity)!​​ 

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V15~ For what I am doing, I do not understand;​​  For I am not practicing what I​​ would​​ like to​​ do,​​  But I am doing the very thing I hate.​​ 

Here Paul explains his experience as a result of what he said in the previous verse, “I​​ am carnal, sold under sin.”

​​ “what I am doing, I do not understand;” –​​ Both “doing” and “understand” are in the​​ present tense.

“what I am doing”-​​ katergazomai​​ (Gr)​​ –​​ cause, do (deed), perform, work (out).​​ Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

“understand;” –​​ ginosko (Gr)​​ –​​ see note on​​ 6:6​​ and​​ 7:7.​​ 

Here it means experiential knowledge. What was Paul’s experience? He was not habitually doing the things he wanted to do, but rather, he was doing the very things he hated! ​​ 

Paul explains his previous statement.

​​ “I am not practicing what I​​ would​​ like to​​ do,​​ but I am doing the very thing I hate.”

​​ “practicing” –​​ prasso (Gr) –​​ to perform repeatedly or habitually.​​ Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

“would​​ like to​​ do” -​​ ​​ thelo (Gr) -​​ "that which is predetermined and that which one is totally given to see it take place."

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V16~​​ But​​ if I do the very thing I do not want​​ to do,​​ I agree with the Law,​​ confessing​​ that the Law is good.​​ 

 ​​​​ “if” –​​ since, or as is the case.​​ 

“I do the very thing I do not want​​ to do,​​ I agree with​​ the Law,” -​​ 

Paul is saying since I am doing the very thing I don’t want to do, I must agree with the Law.

When a regenerate man does what he hates, his own mind testifies his approval of the law that prohibits the sin which he has practiced.​​ Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans

“agree” –​​ to consent.​​ 

Literally “to speak with”, hence, “to express agreement with” –​​ Vine’s Expository Dictionary

“that the Law is good.” –​​ Paul agrees with what he said in​​ v12​​ – “the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”

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V17~​​ So​​ now, no longer am I the one doing it, But sin which dwells in me.​​ 

“now, no longer” –​​ 

“am I the one doing it,” –​​ 

Doing what?​​ - “the very thing I do not want to do”​​ (v16).​​ 

“but sin which dwells in me.” –​​ 

The power of sin dwells in the physical body of every person on earth, regardless of their spiritual identity. Although the power of sin dwells in our body​​ (Romans 6:6; Romans 6:12; Romans 7:17, 20, 23),​​ sin is not us. The presence of sin will be with all of us until these earthly human bodies die.​​ 

Again, do not confuse the power of sin with the “sin nature”. The new man in Christ does not have a sin nature. Our old man along with its sinful nature was​​ crucified with Christ. We are now partakers of the nature of Christ himself.​​ 

1​​ Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:​​ 2​​ May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.​​ 3​​ His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,​​ 4​​ by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.​​ 2 Peter 1.1-4 (ESV)​​ 

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V18~ For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh for the willing is present in me, But the doing of the good​​ is​​ not.​​ 

“For”–​​ a term of explanation.​​ 

Paul is giving further explanation of what he said in​​ v17​​ (that the power of sin is influencing him to do the things he doesn’t really want to do).

“know” -​​ eidō (Gr) –​​ "to see," is a​​ perfect tense​​ with a present meaning, signifying, primarily, "to have seen or perceived;" hence, "to know, to have knowledge of," whether absolutely, as in Divine knowledge or in the case of human "knowledge," to know from observation,​​ Vine's Expository Dictionary​​ 

To know; to​​ understand; to perceive; to realize; to be very sure of this; to experience; to be acquainted with; to recognize; to acknowledge; to remember.​​ Practical Word Studies in The New Testament

“nothing good dwells in me,” -

“nothing”​​ – ou (Gr) -​​ signifies absolute negation. Paul is saying that absolutely nothing that is intrinsically good, inherently good in quality, nothing that is spiritually profitable, useful, benevolent (marked by or disposed to doing good).​​ preceptaustin.org

Note​​ - In​​ Rom.​​ 7:18, "in me … dwelleth no good (agathos) thing" signifies that in him is nothing capable of doing "good," and hence he lacks the power "to do that which is good" (kalos).​​ Vine's Expository Dictionary

“that is, in my flesh;” - ​​ 

“flesh” –​​ See article,​​ Understanding the Flesh​​ on this website.​​ 

Paul clarifies what he means when he says that “nothing good dwells in me”. Paul’s spirit is a new creation since the time of his re-birth. His spirit desires the things of God. It is his soul (mind, will, emotions) that is the problem. Our soul is being transformed to align with our true identity in Christ as we replace the lies that we believe with the truth.​​ 

Is Paul talking about in his physical body or is he talking about his patterns of behavior that result from his selfish/independent mindset (self-effort)? Either of these two uses​​ could fit here and the essence of Paul’s message would not be changed. He has just stated in​​ v17​​ that the power of sin dwells in him (in his physical body), so the use of the word “flesh” to indicate his physical body would certainly fit. We also know that in man’s self-effort (flesh), there is nothing good, or said another way, nothing good is produced.​​ 

“for the willing is present in me but the doing of the good​​ is​​ not.” -​​ 

“for the willing is present in me,” –​​ 

“willing” –​​ thelo (Gr)​​ – desire, want, or wish.

Man’s will is not strong enough to overcome the power of​​ sin working through his flesh. Victory over sin comes only when we surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

16​​ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.​​ 17​​ For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.​​ 18​​ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.​​ Galatians 5.16-18​​ 

“present” –​​ parakeimai (Gr)​​ – to lie near, i.e., be at hand; be present.​​ Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

The word​​ “present”​​ is in the present tense indicating that this desire to do good was continually within his reach. The desire was there, but not the power to carry it out.​​ 

“in​​ me”-​​ his spirit. As stated above, our new spirit always desires the things of God.

“but the doing of the good​​ is​​ not.” –​​ 

“but” –​​ a term of contrast.​​ 

What is being contrasted?​​ The desire to do good and the ability to actually do good.​​ 

“doing” –​​ 

“good” –​​ Is Paul talking about good behavior in general or is it something specific? Again, this chapter is focused on the truth that the new man in Christ has been set free from the Law. The word “good” is used several times in this chapter –​​ verses 12, 13 (2), 16, 18 (2), 19, 21. Paul uses the word “good” specifically speaking about the Law all four times prior to​​ v18. The first use of the word “good” in​​ v18​​ does not appear to be referring to the Law, but the second time it is used it likely is referring to the Law.​​ 

Comment -​​ Concerning the Mosaic Law – Should we violate the commands because we have died to the Law? Should we murder,​​ steal, commit adultery, etc.? Of course not! At our deepest level, our spirit, we do not want to violate any commandment. ​​ When we surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will not be committing murder, theft, or adultery, or violating any other commandment. As a matter of fact, the commandments of the Law will not be in our thinking at all. R. Moffett

“is not.” -​​ Paul is saying that he is unable to do good (keep the Law or any other good thing); even though he desires to do so.​​ 

While the power of sin is not our flesh, it works through our flesh (self-effort) and never produces the life we are seeking. Life is only found in the person of Jesus!

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V19 For the good that I want, I do not do,[popup_anything id="777"]I practice the very evil that I do not want.​​ 

Here Paul states essentially the same thing he said in​​ v15.​​ 

“the good that I want,” –​​ Again, is Paul referring to the​​ Law or good behavior in general?​​ See comments in​​ v18.​​ 

“I do not do,” –​​ restating the struggle – “I don’t do what I really want to do (v15, 18).​​ 

“but” –​​ a term of contrast.​​ 

What is being contrasted?​​ Paul’s actions. He doesn’t do the good he wants to do, contrasted with doing the evil he doesn’t want to do. ​​ 

“I practice the very evil that I do not want.”​​ – I continue to do that which I don’t want to do.​​ 

To help you understand these seemingly contradictory statements made by Paul, please read the article,​​ The Controlling Power of Sin​​ on this website.

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V20~ But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.​​ 

“But” –​​ a term of contrast.​​ 

“if”​​ – since. Since I am doing…

“the very thing I do not want” –​​ What is this thing he doesn’t want? – He doesn’t want to “not keep the Law”.​​ 

“I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” –​​ see notes on​​ v17.​​ 

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V21~​​ I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.​​ 

An alternate translation -​​ 

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.​​ (KJV)​​ 

“I find”​​ –​​ heurisko​​ (Gr) –​​ means to learn the location of something, either by intentional searching or by unexpected discovery; learn whereabouts of something. It means to find, discover, come upon, happen to find, to learn something previously not known, frequently involving an element of surprise.

Note -​​ heurisko​​ is the source of our English word eureka from an exclamation attributed to Archimedes on discovering a method for determining the purity of gold.​​ 

The​​ present tense​​ indicates a​​ continuous action.​​ 

“Then”​​ -​​ ara (Gr)​​ - ​​ can be translated - therefore, then, now, consequently. It is used to mark a transition to what naturally follows from the preceding arguments.

“the principle that evil is present in me,” – KJV​​ uses the word “law” instead of “principle”.

“the principle” –​​ nomos (Gr) –​​ same Greek word that is also translated, “law”.​​ 

(b)​​ of a force or influence impelling to action –​​ Vine’s Expository Dictionary

“that evil is present in me,” –​​ stated as a settled conclusion!

“evil” –​​ kakos (Gr) –​​ means evil.​​ 

Word Study –​​ evil​​ -​​ from Greek kakos​​ is​​ antithetic to​​ kalos, "fair, advisable, good in character," and as​​ agathist,​​ "beneficial, useful, good in act;"​​ hence it denotes what is useless, incapable, bad.​​ Vine's Expository Dictionary​​ 

“present” –​​ parakeimai (Gr)​​ – to lie near, i.e., be at hand; be present.​​ Strong’s

“the one who wants to do good.” –​​ the one “who wants to do good” is our true identity in Christ – our new spirit.

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V22~ For I​​ joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,​​ 

Two things need to be identified to understand this verse –​​ “the law of God”​​ and​​ “the inner man”.​​ 

Let’s start by identifying the​​ “inner man”.​​ 

It is important to understand that all mankind was​​ created spirit, soul, and body. The soul consists of our mind (thinking), will (choosing), and emotions (feelings). Our soul is our experiencer; it is the place where we experience life (or death) at any given moment. Our spirit is that part of man that communes with God. God is spirit. Our spirit is our true identity. It is the part of man that can be born again. And our body is obvious, it is the “outer” part of man. It is man’s temporary dwelling place. Our body is gradually dying, while our inner man is​​ being renewed. Our​​ “inner man”​​ refers to our soul or our​​ spirit or both. For a better understanding of this, please read the article,​​ God’s Design for Man​​ on this website.

I believe in this verse, the “inner man”​​ is speaking of our new man in Christ – our spirit. That is the part of man that is always in agreement with God’s Holy Spirit. I don’t think it refers to our soul here. Even as new creations in Christ, our thinking (soul) can be deceived and does not always “joyfully concur” with God.​​ 

And certainly, no person who has not been born again could ever say​​ “I joyfully concur with the law of God”.​​ 

​​ “the law of God” –​​ This phrase also appears in​​ Rom. 7:25; Rom. 8:7; 1 Cor. 9:21​​ (also appears in the Old​​ Testament –​​ Josh. 24:26; Ne. 8:8, 8:18, 10:28).​​ 

Here again the word, “law” is not referring to the Mosaic Law. Paul has made it very clear in this chapter that the Mosaic Law has no place in a Christian’s life.​​ See also the book of​​ Galatians.​​ 

However, many believe that the “law of God” refers to the Old Covenant Law (Mosaic Law). I find it difficult to believe that Paul would say that his inner man joyfully concurs with the very thing from which he’s been telling us that we are free. Do we (Christians) really joyfully concur with circumcision; with not breeding together two kinds of cattle; with not trimming your beard; with putting to death an adulterer? These are things that the Mosaic Law required. ​​ The law of God in this verse is not referring to the Mosaic Law.​​ 

Here, “law” is referring to a principle as it did in the previous verse and then again (three times) in the following verse​​ (v23). As described in the previous verse, it is “a force or influence impelling to action”. That is a very good description of this principle or law (again, think about the “law” of gravity). Just as the power of sin is a force impelling us to action, so does the power of God that indwells us in the person of the Holy Spirit. The power of sin impels us to thoughts/actions that lead to death, while the power of the Holy Spirit impels us to thoughts/actions that lead to life.​​ 

Impel​​ - to cause (someone) to feel a strong need or desire to do something.​​ Merriam Webster Dictionary​​ 

It is the power of the Holy Spirit​​ that turns our hearts toward the “things of God”. Things such as love, kindness, forgiveness, etc. This inner “power” is always at work within us moving us to express the life of Christ. When we surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we experience peace and joy. When we are deceived by the power of sin and function according to the flesh, we experience conflict and a lack of peace.​​ 

All who have been born again have an inner prompting or urging to live in a manner that aligns with our new identity in Christ; and when we do, we express the character of God. Amen!

​​ for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for​​ His​​ good pleasure.​​ Philippians 2.13​​ 

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V23~ But I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my​​ mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.​​ 

What is being contrasted here?​​ Answer –​​ Two different laws (principles).​​ 

“a different law” –​​ different from the “law of God” mentioned in the previous verse.​​ 

Again, “law” in this verse (all three times), is referring to a principle that Paul discovered based on his experience (see notes on​​ v21). Whenever man attempts to live by law, the power of sin is aroused and his flesh springs into action. The flesh​​ loves to perform. The flesh becomes the vehicle for the expression of the power of sin.​​ 

“I see” –​​ used figuratively. Can mean to perceive. Paul has come to understand “experientially” a truth that he has been sharing throughout this chapter. Similar meaning as in​​ v21, “I find”.​​ 

What is the different law (principle)?​​ 

First, he tells us where this law “resides” – in the members of his body. It seems obvious, based on the entire verse, that Paul is again speaking of the power of indwelling sin​​ (v17, 20, 21).​​ 

Next, he tells how this principle functions -​​ 

“waging war against the law of my mind” –​​ Ultimately for the new man in Christ, the battle occurs in our minds. Our spirit has been reborn and is a new creation sealed with the Holy Spirit. Our mind, however, is in the process of being transformed, so that our​​ thoughts and actions agree with our true identity (our spirit which is now “in Christ”), thus the need to renew our mind with truth.​​ 

​​ “making me a prisoner of the law of sin”-​​ the result of this principle in action.

“prisoner” –​​ aichmalōtos​​ (Gr) –​​ to lead away captive; to bring under control.​​ Vines Expository Dictionary

“of the law of sin” –​​ the power of sin. See comments on​​ “a different law”​​ above.​​ 

“which is in my members.” –​​ again Paul reminds us that the power of sin dwells in our members, which refers to our physical body.​​ See notes on​​ 6:13.​​ 

Reminders​​ –​​ 

• The new man in Christ does NOT have a sin nature but does have flesh. He shas the freedom to choose to live independently of God​​ (self-effort).  ​​​​ 

• The power of sin is not the flesh, but it does work through man’s flesh (self-effort).​​ 

• The power of sin dwells in man’s physical body.

In​​ chapters 6 and 7, Paul is showing us the connection between the controlling power of sin and​​ the law.​​ Have you seen it yet? It is under the law that flesh is energized. It is dead apart from the law, but, when you take your focus off of Jesus and begin to trust in your own efforts, then you are once again back up under the law, performing for God, and your flesh will frustrate you beyond measure.

How sad for a free person to foolishly put himself back under the bondage of sin. You see, under the Law, the flesh is commanded to perform, and then it is condemned in all that it does because it cannot measure up to the same law that commanded it.​​ Wayne Barber

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V24​​ Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

“Wretched man” -​​ "distressed, miserable, wretched," is used in​​ Rom. 7:24; Rev. 3:17

Vine's Expository Dictionary​​ 

Word Study -​​ Wretched​​ -​​ from Greek​​ talaiporos​​ from​​ tálas​​ = suffering, wretched or according to A.T. Robertson from​​ tlao​​ = to bear +​​ poros​​ = a callus)​​ means afflicted, miserable, in a distressed condition. Wretched describes a very unhappy or unfortunate state in poor or pitiful circumstances.​​ Talaiporos​​ is an expression used in pagan Greek drama to express tragic misfortune and woe. Wretched through the exhaustion of hard labor. Paul is completely worn out and wretched because of his unsuccessful effort to please God under the principle of Law.​​ preceptaustin.org

“Who will set me free from the body of this death?” – ​​ 

(KJV uses the word “deliver” rather than “set me free”)

“set me free”​​ - rhyomai​​ (Gr) - to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e.​​ rescue: - deliver (-er).​​ Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

Word Study –​​ set free​​ - from Greek​​ rhuomai​​ (means to draw or snatch to oneself and invariably refers to a snatching from danger, evil or an enemy. This basic idea of rescuing from danger is pictured by the use describing a soldier’s going to a wounded comrade on the battlefield and carrying him to safety (he runs to the cry of his comrade to rescue him from the hands of the enemy).​​ Rhuomai​​ emphasizes greatness of peril from which deliverance is given by a mighty act of power.​​ preceptaustin.org

Paul cries out to be set free! His cry is done in the form of a question that he will answer and explain in the next verse and throughout​​ chapter 8​​ of this letter to the church in Rome.​​ 

“from the body of this death?” –​​ 

Paul has already told us that the power of sin resides in our physical bodies. He has also told us that death is a result of sin. He realizes that as long as we live in these physical bodies, we all will continue to struggle with sin’s power.

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V25~​​ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin

“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” –

Paul quickly answers the question he asked in the previous verse. It is through Jesus Christ our Lord that we have been set free from sin’s power and from the Law. Amen! More specifically, it is our union with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection​​ (Rom. 6:3-7).

The second sentence in this verse is essentially restating what Paul said in​​ v22-23.​​ 

“So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God,” –​​ 

Paul is drawing a conclusion to what he has previously said in this chapter.​​ 

“on the one hand” –​​ phrase of comparison. Here the comparison is between two different opposing forces (laws) that desire to control Paul (and all Christians).​​ 

“I myself with my mind am serving the law of God” –​​ 

​​ “I myself with my mind” –​​ 

Paul desires to be under the control of God (the power of the Holy Spirit); but as we have repeatedly stated, there is a battle going on and that battle is occurring in his mind.​​ 

“serves” –​​ douleuō​​ (Gr)​​ from​​ (doulos);​​ to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary): - be in bondage, (do) serve (-ice).​​ Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary​​ 

Here in the​​ present tense​​ indicating​​ a continuous action.​​ 

“the law of God” –​​ see notes on​​ v22.​​ 

“but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” –​​ 

“but on the other,” –​​ and now the other part of the comparison.​​ 

“with my flesh the law of sin.” –​​ 

“with my flesh” –​​ not talking about the physical body here, but rather​​ man’s self-effort, independent of God.​​ See the article,​​ Understanding the Flesh​​ on this website.

“the law of sin.” –​​ the power of sin.​​ See “Additional Notes” on​​ Romans 7:23.​​ 

Take heed! This war is being waged against you every moment of every day!​​ 

Recap of the points Paul has made in this chapter –

• We (those who are spiritually reborn) have died to the Law and are free to​​ be joined to another - Jesus (the church is the bride of Christ).​​ (v1-4)

• Now we are able to bear fruit for God.​​ (v4)

• Before we were born again, we were “in the flesh” and the power of sin was aroused by the Law that produced fruit to death through the actions of our physical body.​​ (v5)

• We have been released (set free from) the Law. We were once bound to the Law, but we have now died to the Law.​​ (v6)

• We now serve in a new way – through the Holy Spirit that lives in us, rather than through external​​ written rules (Law).​​ (v6)

• The Law is not sin. The Law reveals the power of sin.​​ (v7)

• The power of sin works through our flesh to keep the commandments when we attempt to live by them. Apart from the Law, sin is dead.​​ (v8)

• Before the Law (understanding of the purpose of the Law), Paul was unaware of his sin and its death penalty. But the Law revealed the power of sin and it resulted in his death.​​ (v9)

• Before Paul knew the truth, he believed that keeping the Law would result in life, but when his eyes were opened by the Holy Spirit, he realized that attempting to keep the Law only brought death.​​ (v10)

• The power of sin deceived Paul, and as always, produced death.​​ (V11)

• It was not the Law that produced death, but rather it was sin. The Law is holy, righteous, and good.​​ (V12 -13)

• Paul contrasts the Law and with himself.​​ The Law is spiritual, but Paul is fleshly (carnal). ​​ (v14)

• Paul did not understand why he was not doing what he determined to do, but rather, he was doing the very thing that he hated.​​ (v15 -20)

• Since he was doing the thing he didn’t really want to do; he had to agree that the Law is good. ​​ (v16)

• He finally came to realize that it was sin that indwelt his physical body and that was influencing him to do what he did not want to do.​​ (v17)

• Paul declares that nothing good dwells in his flesh (his self-effort). He desires to do good in his spirit but is unable to do so (the Law makes demands but gives no power to keep it).​​ (v18-21)

• Paul’s spirit (inner man) desires the things of God and to be under His control.​​ (v22)

• The power of sin that dwells in his physical body is waging war against his thinking and results in making him a captive to its power.​​ (v23)

• ​​ Paul is experiencing a miserable condition and realizes his helpless state. He cries out for someone to deliver him from the power of sin that resides in his physical body!​​ (v24)

• Paul quickly proclaims the source of victory (Jesus Christ) over his misery. Paul desires to serve the law of God, i.e., live according to the Holy Spirit’s guidance; however, there is a power called sin that opposes this desire.​​ 

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