Romans Lesson #47

Romans 7:1-5

Remember that Paul wrote this epistle to all the saints in Rome (Romans 1:7). Therefore, even though this term “brothers” can be used to designate fellow countrymen, as in Romans 9:3, here it is specifying fellow believers, especially the Jewish believers who were knowledgeable of the Law.

Paul was saying that the only way to get out from under the Old Testament Law is through death. He had just taught that the “old man” is once and for all dead (see note 6 at Romans 6:4 and note 8 at Romans 6:6). Here he used the natural illustration of marriage to further make this point. In the same way that the marriage vow was intended by God to be binding until “death do us part” (see note 5 at Matthew 19:7), so our bondage under the tyranny of the sin nature (see note 9 at Romans 5:21) was inescapable except through death. Therefore, this knowledge of our death to the old self is crucial to escaping the carnal life that the old self put in place in our lives.

Set Free to Live: Understanding Our Freedom in Christ

Bible Passage: Romans 7:1–5

In Romans 7:1-5, the Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of marriage to illustrate the believer's relationship to the law and the transformative power of grace through Christ. He explains that just as a spouse is bound to the other until death, so too are individuals bound to the law until death in Christ, leading to a new life away from the dominion of sin.

Application: This passage can encourage Christians to embrace their new identity in Christ, leading them to live transformed lives that bear fruit for God. It can also help address struggles with legality and guilt, reminding us that we are no longer bound by the law but are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live righteously.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that believers are not under the law but under grace, emphasizing the radical change in the believer's life through their union with Christ. It challenges the audience to reflect on how their identity as free people affects their daily living and choices.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the broader context of Scripture, Christ fulfills the law's demands and frees us from its condemnation. His death enables us to be united with Him, leading to a new life characterized by righteousness and the Spirit, exemplifying God's ultimate plan of redemption.

Big Idea: The big idea of the sermon is that through our death with Christ, we are liberated from the law's condemnation and empowered to live a fruitful life in grace.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider examining the historical and cultural context of first-century Judaism regarding the law and marriage. Look into the original Greek terms used in Romans 7:1-5 for a deeper understanding of the nuances in Paul's argument. Logos will provide access to commentaries and theological discussions that can illuminate how Paul's teachings here connect to other New Testament writings about grace and law.

1. Death Brings Deliverance

Romans 7:1-2

You could explore how just as death frees a spouse from marital law, death in Christ frees believers from the law’s demands. This powerful metaphor reveals that legalistic living is incompatible with our new life in Christ. Highlight the joy of freedom found in our union with Jesus and how this encourages us to live a life of grace rather than guilt. In Christ, we find true liberation that leads us away from sin and guides us towards righteousness.

2. Divorce from the Law

Romans 7:3-4

Perhaps use this passage to illustrate how our new identity in Christ transforms obligations into opportunities for spiritual growth. Compare the believer’s release from the law as a symbolic death that leads to life in Christ. Emphasize how this new life bears fruit for God's kingdom, encouraging believers to nurture this growth through the Spirit. In our union with Christ, we are called to embrace this transformation and cultivate a deep relationship with God.

3. Driven by the Spirit

Romans 7:5

Maybe consider how living according to the flesh leads to unfruitfulness and death, a state from which Christ has rescued us. Contrast this past reality with the present empowerment through the Holy Spirit. Encourage believers to rely on the Spirit to cultivate a life that produces righteousness and aligns with God’s will. Through Christ, we have been set free from sin’s hold, and our new call is to thrive in the freedom of grace-driven living.