Romans 7

Summary of V1-6:

What does Paul mean when he says that we have died to the law?

What are the good things that we need to die to?

V7-12

v7 - Why is it the 10th commandment through which Paul knows sin?

It is interesting, that in giving this personal example, Paul quotes the only one of the Ten Commandments that deals exclusively with an internal manifestation of sin. It was the Tenth Commandment that showed Paul that he was a sinner. It is possible to fool ourselves and think we are keeping the first nine commandments, because we can think of them as merely external. Of course, none of them are merely external as Jesus clearly showed, but we could mistakenly think of them in that way. But there is one of the Ten Commandments that is in no way external. It is totally, intrinsically internal: “Thou shalt not covet”. In the Jewish religion as it had developed by the time of Christ, there was a constant tendency to make individual laws external and therefore keepable. But there was one commandment that Paul knew he could not keep, and that was, “Thou shalt not covet.” Whenever he thought about that commandment, he realized he was a sinner who needed salvation. The law is useful as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Gal 3:24). However, if we try to live in our own strength in the light of the law, we’ve missed the whole point.

-Francis Schaeffer

(7:7) Do not covet

The Tenth Commandment (Exodus 20:17). The Ten Commandments are the core of the Law (Romans 13:8-10). Jesus summarizes them into two Great Commandments in Mark 12:28-31, and He preaches on them in Matthew 5:17-30, 12:1-4,15:1-9, 19:16-24)

(7:10) God gave His Law to show His people how life could be lived joyfully and richly. If a person could keep the Law, it would give him true life (Leviticus 18:5) However, God knew that the Law would have the opposite effect upon sinful people.

What does Paul say about the Law in v7, and v12?

What is the series of events which occur in v7-11? How does this prove his conclusion in v 12?

To what extent does 7-12 describe your past experience when you learned that coveting, theft, lust, or some other sin was wrong?

American’s see covetousness as a good thing that drives success and the economy. Without the law, I would have no clue that to desire what other people have is a bad thing.

Israel, confronted in God’s law with limitations imposed by its rightful sovereign, was stimulated by that very limitation to rebellion. It was only after the Israelites had heard the commandment not to make any idols for themselves (Exod. 20:4) that they had Aaron fashion a golden calf for them to worship (Exod. 32)

(7:13) Were these effects of the law the fault of the Law or of something else? why?

(7:13) Why were these evil effects of the Law ultimately good for Paul?

V14-25

Before Paul recognized sin as sin, he coveted without resisting (7:8-11).

In what ways is he different now that he belongs to Christ ans is a slave to righteousness (7:14-25)?

What aspects of his pre-Christian past persist in his Christian present (7:14-25)?

In what ways is the Chrisian not a slave of God’s Law (Romans 6:14, 7:1-6) and in what way is he a slave of God’s law (Romans 7:6,16,21-25)?

Do you experience the struggle Paul discusses in 7:14-25? If so, describe one specific experience you have had of this struggle.

Why does a Christian commit sins even though God, not sin, is now his master?

Luther-

he eays: “I myself.” That is, the whole man, one and the same person, is in this twofold servitude. For this reason he thanks God that he serves the Law of God and he pleads for mercy for serving the Law of sin. But no one can say of a carnal (unconverted) person that he serves the Law of God. The Apostle means to say: You see, it is just so as I said before: The saints (believers) are at the same time sinners while they are righteous. They are righteous, because they believe in Christ, whose righteousness covers them and is imputed to the. But they are sinners, inasmuch as they do not fulfill the Law, and still have sinful lusts. They are like sick people who are being treated by a physician. They are really sick, but hope and are beginning to get, or be made, well. They are about to regain their health.

Paul’s struggle against sin has given him a divided personality. On the one hand he “delights” in God’s law, but on the other hand there is “another law in my me members”that is constantly warring against his delight in God’s law. Through Christ we have become justified before God. His Word informs, calls, corrects, and encourages us. Yet in our body, we are still part of a fallen world. Legally, our problem of guilt before God has been resolved, but factually we are still waiting or the full redemption that will be our s only when Christ returns. Till then, our battle with sin continues. It is truly a “captivity” to sin, and Paul longs for deliverance.

Francis Schaeffer

What hope does Paul have of deliverance from his struggle against sin in this life (7:24-25)? Explain in your own words.