CEV:
Rom 7:7 Does this mean that the Law is sinful? Certainly not!
But if it had not been for the Law,
I would not have known what sin is really like. For example, I would not have
known what it means to want something that belongs to someone else, unless the
Law had told me not to do that.
Rom 7:8
It was sin that used this command as a way of making me have all kinds of
desires. But without the Law,
sin is dead.
Rom 7:9
Before I knew about the Law,
I was alive. But as soon as I heard that command, sin came to life,
Rom 7:10
and I died. The very command that was supposed to bring life to me, instead
brought death.
Rom 7:11
Sin used this command to trick me, and because of it I died.
Rom 7:12
Still, the Law and its
commands are holy and correct and good.
Rom 7:13
Am I saying that something good caused my death? Certainly not! It was sin that
killed me by using something good. Now we can see how terrible and evil sin
really is.
Rom 7:14
We know that the Law is
spiritual. But I am merely a human, and I have been sold as a slave to sin.
Rom 7:15
In fact, I don't understand why I act the way I do. I don't do what I know is
right. I do the things I hate.
Rom 7:16
Although I don't do what I know is right, I agree that the Law is good.
Rom 7:17
So I am not the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is
what does them.
Rom 7:18
I know that my selfish desires won't let me do anything that is good. Even when I want to do right, I
cannot.
Rom 7:19
Instead of doing what I
know is right, I do
wrong.
Rom 7:20
And so, if I don't do what
I know is right, I am no longer the one doing these evil things. The
sin that lives in me is what does them.
Rom 7:21
The Law has shown me that something
in me keeps me from doing
what I know is right.
Rom 7:22
With my whole heart I agree with the Law of God.
Rom 7:23
But in every part of me I discover something fighting against my mind,
and it makes me a prisoner
of sin that controls everything I do.
Rom 7:24
What a miserable person I am. Who
will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die?
Rom 7:25
Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me. So with my mind I serve the Law of God,
although my selfish desires make me serve the law of sin.
Main Points: I recommend reading 8:1-5 as well. It is a mistake to leave it off of this reading in my opinion. This dissertation illustrates the paradox of relying on law. It just simply does not do what God has done through Jesus….remove the bondage of sin. In chapter eight Paul calls it the law if sin and death just to show what has dominion in law.
4. What does
Paul state to be the purpose of the law in verse 7? The law defines sin.
5. What does
the law do to each person? (8-12) By defining
sin, sin is produced…the knowledge of it as such brings a consciousness of it.
In some cases, it brings a desire for it. Ultimately sin comes “alive” in the
conscience, which results in death.
6. Therefore is the law sin? Why or why not? No. Paul cites sin as seizing the opportunity to deceive and kill. (11) This is an actionable offence by the person, not the law. Law is knowledge only. Knowledge of the sin, knowledge of the desire of that sin and knowledge of the consequences of that sin.
7. According
to verse 13, what kills each person?
Sin.
8. Why does
Paul “not do what I want but I do the very thing I hate?” (15) – The context is obedience to a system of law. This is
the resultant action of someone looking to be found righteous before God by
their own doing (works of the law See 3:20). It just doesn’t work.
9. Explain
verse 18. How can Paul say that nothing good dwells in him? Is Paul saying that
a person cannot choose to good at all? Explain. Paul’s language differentiates between chapter 7/8. In
this context “law” – The emphasis is on the human DOING/WORKING the precepts of
the law. It is a system ruled by sin and death. Paul will explain why this
fails in chapter eight, but most specifically the law deals with the flesh.
Nothing eternally positive can be gained with the flesh.
10. Explain what is meant “sin dwells within me.” (17,
20) – Dwell G3611 οἰκέω oikeō oy-key'-o
From G3624; to occupy a house
that is, reside. Paul is
saying that having a cognizant awareness of sin through the law, does not make
anyone righteous. Performing the works of the law does not get rid of sin/death. (see
3:20) – With the law, sin LIVES WITH US!
11. How do
verses 24-25 relate to the dilemma of sin and the law? What is Paul crying out
for? Law/Sin results in only more
law/sin/conviction. So now Paul (we) know about sin and all the terrible issues
that come with it. We are helpless when it comes to our solutions to combat
sin/death (serving the law of sin). THROUGH JESUS we can serve the Law of God,
which is not a system of law at all. Paul has already defined what that “law”
is. It is a system based in “grace” (mercy), with a singular requirement –
FAITH – evidenced in an obedient life.
