Bible Commentaries
Romans 7

Verses 1-6

Sanctification thru Liberty In Christ After we reckon ourselves dead unto sin and alive unto God (Romans 6:1-14), we must then understand that we are free from the Law (Romans 6:15 to Romans 7:6).

Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Romans 6:15 Comments Paul offers a “claim” and follows it with a “reason” to support this claim. We can imagine that Paul has confronted Jews in the synagogue for years and debated the superiority of the Gospel over the Law. He has been accused of saying that it was permissible to sin because the Jews were no longer under the Law. Therefore, Paul anticipates this argument from his readers and addresses it in advance.

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Romans 6:16 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey” - Comments We “present” or “yield” ourselves by an act of our own will. Paul will use this Greek word παρι ́ στημι again in Romans 12:1 saying, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Romans 6:16 “whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness” Comments - The phrase “of sin unto death” tells us that a born again believer can become a servant of sin after having been reconciled to God. This bondage to sin will result in death. This means that a person in sin will go to Hell since death in this passage of Scripture refers to spiritual separation from God. The application of the term death is made clear a few verses later in Romans 6:21 by saying that the end of a sinners’ lifestyle before he was saved is death, which means eternal separation from God in Hell. This definition of death stands in direct contrast to eternal life described in Romans 6:22. Thus, the wages of sin, whether as a sinner or a born-again believer, all results in death, according to Romans 6:23. This fact is restated again in Romans 8:13.

Romans 6:21-23, “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death . What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life . For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Romans 6:17 Word Study on “God be thanked” The Greek construction ( χάριν ἔχω τῷ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ) or ( χάρις τῷ θεῷ ) [169] or some variation of this phrase is found no less than thirteen times in the Greek New Testament (Luke 17:9, Romans 6:17; Romans 7:25, 1 Corinthians 10:30; 1Co 15:57 , 2 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 8:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15, Colossians 3:16, 1 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:3, Philemon 1:7 [t.r.], Hebrews 12:28). It is properly translated in a variety of ways; “I am grateful to God,” or “I thank God,” “Let’s give thanks,” or “with thanks to the Lord.”

[169] Kurt Aland, Matthew Black, Carlo M. Martini, Bruce M. Metzger, M. Robinson, and Allen Wikgren, The Greek New Testament, Fourth Revised Edition (with Morphology) (Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1993, 2006), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 2.1c [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2000-2004), Romans 6:17.

Romans 6:17 Comments - Servants of sin are those who are enslaved and in bondage to sin. While we were in bondage to sin, we yielded our hearts unto God when we heart the call of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While we were unable to love and serve Him because of our bondage to a sinful lifestyle. He reached down and set us free (Romans 6:18) and filled us with the Holy Spirit, all because we yielded our hearts to Him while weak and bound.

Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Romans 6:18 Comments How to believers become “slaves of righteousness.” Wayne Johnson gives the example of how he spoke a profane word while a church leader and felt immediate conviction. [170] As God’s children, we fall under immediate conviction when we stumble, while the sinner continues in his sin with joy and indulgences, showing no convictions. As the sinner is in bondage to a lifestyle of sin, God’s children are “bound” by their regenerated spirit and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

[170] Wayne Johnson, “Sunday School Lesson on Romans 6:1-23,” First Assembly of God, Panama City, Florida, 10 October 2010.

Scripture References - Note:

Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Romans 6:19 “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh” - Comments Paul made a similar statement in Romans 3:5, saying, “I speak as a man.” He also uses it in Galatians 3:15, “I speak after the manner of men.”

Paul is teaching a spiritual truth using a natural illustration. In the Roman world that Paul was writing, slavery was a common sight. It was not uncommon to observe a slave being sold to a new master, and receiving new compensation and conditions of service.

Romans 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

Romans 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

Romans 6:21 Comments - This question is asked because Paul wants us to remember the results that sin brought into our lives: distress, anguish, bondage, etc.

Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death” Word Study on “wages” The TDNT says the Greek word ο ̓ ψω ́ νιον literally means, “what is appointed for buying food.” BDAG says it properly means, “ration-(money),” but it is best translated “compensation” in Romans 6:23. Luke and Paul use this word to refer to military wages (Luke 3:14, 1 Corinthians 9:7), and Paul uses it to refer to the compensation he received from churches as a soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:8).

Luke 3:14, “And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.”

1 Corinthians 9:7, “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?”

2 Corinthians 11:8, “I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.”

Comments - The penalty of sin is death. Each person must die for the sins he commits. You can either die in Christ (Romans 6:3), or die in the second death of eternal judgment. The first death is physical death, but the second death is eternal separation from God.

Romans 6:3, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”

Romans 6:23 “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” - Comments - We are no longer in sin, but have been freed from sin. Therefore, we do not have to die for the wages of our sin because we have been made free from sin (Romans 6:22).

Romans 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

Romans 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

Romans 7:2 Comments - Romans 7:2 is an example that illustrates Romans 7:1. When a man dies, even the law of marriage is broken.

Romans 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Romans 7:4 “Wherefore, my brethren” - Comments - An analogy is made between Romans 7:3 and Romans 7:4. Jesus and the Jews were bound to the Law like a husband and wife are bound. Only death separates. Jesus died and we died with Jesus, (Romans 6:5-6), so we are loosed from the law.

Romans 6:5-6, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

Romans 7:4 Comments - Since we died with Jesus (Romans 6:5-6, Galatians 2:20), it is through Jesus that we have died to the law, no longer under its power. Now we can remarry, and the resurrected Jesus is the one to whom we have been given in marriage (2 Corinthians 11:2).

Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

2 Corinthians 11:2, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

How did we become dead to the Law? By the body of Christ which was sacrificed on Calvary. We were crucified with Jesus on Calvary (Galatians 2:20). There we died, slain by the law.

Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

We were dead in trespasses and sins, held in bondage by the law. In the law of sin and death, we had no hope of coming out by ourselves. Jesus came, took the penalty of sin and death away with Him on the Cross. Therefore, we are no longer in bondage to the Law because it killed us. Now, Jesus makes us alive again, He rose again and took us for His bride. Bless the Lord, Oh, my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!

Illustration - While studying through what Jesus did for us on Calvary, the story never grows old. It is like watching a favorite show on television. Although you know the outcome, you anticipate the danger scenes and when the final victory comes, you sigh and wipe your brow, having been caught up in the action once more.

Scripture References - Note similar verses:

Ephesians 2:15, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;”

Colossians 2:14, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

1 Peter 2:24, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

Romans 7:5 “For when we were in the flesh” Comment - The word “when” means that we are no longer in the flesh (Romans 8:9).

Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

Yet, as Christians “in the flesh,” we can still live “after the flesh.” Note the differences of the two words “in” and “after.”

Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh , ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

Romans 7:5 “the motions of sins” Comment - The motions of sins refers to fleshy passions towards sins.

Romans 7:5 “which were by the law” Comments - By the law was the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). That is, sinful passions are realized by the understanding of God’s law of righteous living.

Romans 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin .”

Sin comes through the Law:

1 John 3:4, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

Romans 4:15, “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.”

Therefore, if there is no law, there is no sin. Romans 7:9, “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.”

Romans 7:5 “did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death” Comments - The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Sin brings forth death (James 1:15). In other words, the fruit of sin is death.

Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

James 1:15, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Romans 7:6 “that we should serve in newness of spirit” Scripture References - Note:

Romans 7:25, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God ; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

Romans 7:1-6 Comments - Dead to the Law - The phrase “the Law” in this passage refers to the Mosaic Law; yet, Gentiles were never under the Mosaic Law. However, the Gentiles had the works of the Law written in their hearts (Romans 2:12-15).

Romans 2:12-15, “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts , their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)”

Verses 1-25

The Believer’s Life of Justification: Persevering by Being Led by the Spirit We have been declared sinners (Romans 1:18 to Romans 3:20), justified through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21 to Romans 4:25), and positioned under God’s grace (Romans 5:1-21). Paul then explains the process of how we are to walk in our lives (Romans 6:1 to Romans 8:16). We must first reckon ourselves dead to sin (Romans 6:1-14) and free from the Law (Romans 6:15 to Romans 7:6). Paul then takes a moment to explain that the Law is holy as evidenced by our struggle to overcome the very sins that are declared by the Law (Romans 7:7-25). Paul then reveals the secret to walking in the liberty of Christ Jesus, which is found as we learn to be led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-16). We learn from this passage that as we are led by the Holy Spirit we are walking in our justification provided to us by God the Father through Jesus Christ His Son. Thus, justification is maintained by walking in the Spirit, but man returns to condemnation by walking in the flesh.

Outline Here is a proposed outline:

1. Sanctification thru Death with Christ Romans 6:1-14

2. Sanctification thru Liberty In Christ Romans 6:15 to Romans 7:6

3. Sanctification Confirms the Law Romans 7:7-25

4. Sanctification in the Holy Spirit Romans 8:1-16

Six Aspects of the Believer’s Life of Justification - In this passage, we find six things that God has done for us, the Church. Through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, we were crucified with Him. We also died, were buried, were quickened, were raised, and were seated in the heavenlies with Christ Jesus.

Verses 7-25

Sanctification Confirms the Law - We must first reckon ourselves dead to sin (Romans 6:1-14) and free from the Law (Romans 6:15 to Romans 7:6). Paul then takes a moment to explain that the Law is holy as evidenced by our struggle to overcome the very sins that are declared by the Law (Romans 7:7-25).

For example, our two little children did not know that it was wrong to hit each other until Mom and Dad told them that it was against the rules. They thought that they could say “No!” to us when they felt like it and it was ok, until we laid down the law and punished them for not obeying. The older they get, the more they learn what is right and wrong (Romans 7:7).

Unfortunately, even when children are told what is right and wrong, their inborn sinful nature often rules them and they yield to their flesh, rather than to their conscience. Sin takes advantage of the fleshly make-up of man, and tempts him contrary to his heart (Romans 7:8).

When young children die, they die in innocence and go to heaven. But as they grow older, they learn between right and wrong, and become more and more accountable the older they get. As some age of accountability, God sees their sin and holds them accountable. At that time, they must repent under the shed blood of Jesus, or face hell. Therefore, Romans 7:9 says that we were alive at one time, but when the commandment, sin and its accountability also rose up, and condemned us to death; for we broke the laws we were given.

Thus, it appears that the very laws that were given to us to keep us from death were used to condemn us in our sins (Romans 7:10). Sin itself, using these commandments, let us deceitfully into our transgressions and separated us from God (Romans 7:11).

Our very sins demonstrate that the commandments were correct, even though we did not obey them (Romans 7:12). In fact, our very sins were revealed to be exceeding sinful because they were declared so in the commandments (Romans 7:13).

Although we have been born again in the spirit, we still live in this fleshly body, which is still bound and subject to sinful desires (Romans 7:14). Therefore, we sometimes yield to the flesh and sin, although in our hearts we know that it is wrong. This can often confuse us in our walk with the Lord (Romans 7:15). But these sins serve to demonstrate that the Word of God is holy and pure, while our transgressions are sinful (Romans 7:16).

For we soon realize that it is not our hearts that are desiring sinful acts, but it is a result of yielding to our fleshly nature that causes us to sin (Romans 7:17-18). In this struggle to do right, we as Christians come face to face with the reality that our flesh is at war with our spirits (Romans 7:19-21). We see that the inward man, our spirit, always desires the ways of God (Romans 7:22), but the outward body of flesh always desires the things of this world (Romans 7:23). This is discussed further in Galatians 5:16-18.

Our conscience condemns us for our actions of yielding to the flesh (Romans 2:15) and we cry out for a way to overcome this struggle (Romans 7:24). Thank God that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts to lead us through this dilemma. We now know that with our minds, we can choose to yield to the flesh or to the spirit (Romans 7:25). Thus, when we choose to walk in the spirit, our conscience no longer condemns us of sin (Romans 8:1).

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Romans 7:7 Comments - Under the Law the Jew had to become conscience of each and every sin, so that he prepared the proper sacrifices, since each sin required a specific sacrifice. This meant that the Jews were constantly reminded of their sins. The Law even made provision on the day of Atonement for dealing with any sins that were overlooked during the course of the year. The Law made people recognize their sinful nature so that they would look to God for redemption, since no one was able to keep the Law perfectly (Galatians 3:24).

Galatians 3:24, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

Romans 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

Romans 7:8 “wrought in me all manner of concupiscence” Word Study on “concupiscence” Strong says the Greek word “concupiscence” ( ε ̓ πιθυμι ́ α ) (G1939) means, “a longing.” Webster says the English word “concupiscence” means, “ Sexual lust; morbid carnal passion.”

Comments Covetousness can be directed in many directions. It can penetrate every area of our lives. Within the context of the epistle of Romans, it refers to the continual cravings of the flesh.

Romans 7:8 “For without the law sin was dead” Comments Before the time of the giving of the Law, we observe in the book of Genesis that God did not judge individual sins of men, although He did bring judgment upon mankind as a group when they reached certain levels of sin.

Scripture References - Note:

John 15:22-24, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.”

Romans 4:15, “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.”

1 Corinthians 15:56, “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.”

Romans 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Romans 7:9 Comments The term “age of accountability” refers to the age of a person when he begins to leave childhood and becomes responsible for his own actions. Paul seems to be describing such a transition in his life. As a child he lived in innocence; however, he was taught the Law and soon became accountable for its rules and regulations.

Romans 7:10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

Romans 7:11 Comments Before Israel came under the Law at Mount Sinai, they were murmuring and complaining in sin, yet no one died. As soon as Moses came down from the mount with the tablets of the Law, God judged Israel through the sword of the Levites as they slew three thousand men (Exodus 32:28). Israel continued to break the Law and God continued to judge them until Jerusalem was finally destroyed in 586 B.C. by the Babylonians. As long as Israel was under the Law, their sins were before God, and God was just in bringing judgment upon His children.

Exodus 32:28, “And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.”

Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Romans 7:12 Comments - In Romans 7:12 Paul gives the concluding answer to the question in verse 7, which asks, “Is the Law sin?” He has shown that the Law is in fact holy. The Law is like a mirror that allows man to see himself in comparison to a holy God. This reflection of the law on the heart of man reveals human depravity because the Law itself is pure and holy.

Within the immediate context of Romans 7:12, which describes the characteristics of the Law, Paul has cited the tenth commandment, “thou shalt not covet” (Romans 7:4). However, Paul’s discussion of the Law in this passage of Scripture allows us to understand that all of the commandments contained within the Law are “holy, and just, and good.

Goodspeed translates this verse, “So the Law itself is holy, and each command is holy, just, and good.” Thus, the phrase “the law” refers to the entire Mosaic Law, while the phrase “the commandment” refers to any particular part of the Law.

Romans 7:12 Scripture References - Note:

Nehemiah 9:13, “Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments :”

Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Romans 7:13 “Was then that which is good made death unto me?” - Comments We can paraphrase this statement and say, “Did that which is good, i.e., the law and commandments, work, or cause, death in me?”

Romans 7:13 “that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful” - Comments Through the Law, which is God’s Word, sin becomes very sinful, that is, it shows God’s righteousness, and man in his deep depravity of sin.

1. The law is made for the lawless, etc, and any man who lives contrary to sound doctrine.

1 Timothy 1:9-10, “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;”

2. It was added because of transgressions, i.e., because man was sinful.

Galatians 3:19, “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”

3. It was added, or given, to show how very sinful the acts of sin are.

Romans 7:13, “Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”

4. The law speaks to those under the law.

Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”

Romans 7:13 “that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful” Scripture References - Note:

Romans 3:19-20, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God . Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Galatians 3:22, “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin , that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Romans 7:14 “For we know that the law is spiritual” Comments - The Law exhibits divine characteristics. Love is the fulfilling of the Law (Romans 13:10). The law is good and is from God. It deals with the heart of man.

Romans 13:10, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

The Ten Commandments Exodus 1:1-17 records the Ten Commandments that Moses received on Mount Sinai. The heart of these laws serves as the foundation of the man’s faith in God in both the old and new covenants. They establish the divine principles by which man should live throughout the ages, from Genesis to Revelations.

The major theme of the Pentateuch is the delivering of the Mosaic Law to the children of Israel. On Mount Sinai, Moses gave the people the Ten Commandments, which can be referred to as the “Moral Law.” He then delivered to them many statutes and ordinances regarding daily living and service in the Tabernacle. This set of rules and regulations can be referred to as the “Civil Laws.” The Ten Commandments became the foundation for the Jewish civil laws. Thus, the Ten Commandments dealt with a man’s heart, while the civil laws dealt with a man’s actions. When a man held the moral laws within his heart, he would then be willing to follow the civil laws. Moses repeats the giving of the Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy 5:1-22 to the new generation of people who will go in to possess the Promised Land.

When questioned by the Jews about the greatest commandment, Jesus summed up the Ten Commandments into two great commandments, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-32) Thus, we can understand that the first four commandments deal with our relationship to God. Jesus summed these four up with the statement that we are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

1st Commandment (Exodus 20:3) - No other Gods before Me. Love God with all your heart.

2nd Commandment (Exodus 20:4-6) - No worship of graven images. Love God with all your soul.

3rd Commandment (Exodus 20:7) - Do not take God's name in vain. Love God with all your mind.

4th Commandment (Exodus 20:8-11) - Keep the Sabbath. Love God with all your strength.

This order of heart, soul, mind and strength helps us to understand our make-up. When we set our heart on something or someone (1 st commandment), we begin to think about it (2 nd commandment). Our thoughts lead us to speak about it (3 rd commandment). Our words direct our actions (4 th commandment). The last six commandments deal with our relationship with our fellow man:

5th Commandment (Exodus 20:12) - Honour father and mother.

6th Commandment (Exodus 20:13) - Do not murder.

7th Commandment (Exodus 20:14) - Do not commit adultery.

8th Commandment (Exodus 20:15) - Do not steal.

9th Commandment (Exodus 20:16) - Do not bear false witness.

10th Commandment (Exodus 20:17) - Do not covet.

In Romans 13:9-10 Paul summed up these last six commandments with the same statement that Jesus had taught, which says, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Romans 13:9-10, “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Romans 7:14 “but I am carnal” - Comments - The word carnal means, “fleshly, consisting of flesh.” Paul says, “I am a creature that has to live in the flesh and deal with this flesh.”

Romans 7:14 “sold under sin” - Comments - NIV Thayer translates this phrase, “Entirely under the control of loving sin” (see πιπρα ́ σκω ). The NIV reads, “sold as a slave to sin.”

1 Kings 21:20, “And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.”

1 Kings 21:25, “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.”

2 Kings 17:17, “And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.”

Romans 7:14 Comments - The two phrases “sold under sin” (Romans 7:14) and “bringing me into captivity” (Romans 7:23) explain one another. The fleshly part of us has an indwelling law of sin that wars against the law of our mind and tries to get us in bondage to sin.

Romans 7:23, “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”

Paul is saying that the Law is inspired by God and exhibits a character of divine love, but he is a mortal man and his body is sold in bondage to sin.

Romans 7:22 Comments - The phrase “the inward man” seems to show that Paul is speaking here as a born-again believer, a new creation (Ephesians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 4:16).

Ephesians 3:16, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man”

2 Corinthians 4:16, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”

Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am” - Word Study on “wretched” Strong says the Greek word “wretched” (G5005) means, “enduring trial, miserable.”

Romans 7:24 “who shall deliver me from the body of this death” Comments - Paul asks “Who”, and not “What.” In other words, it is not a technique or a program that must be followed that will deliver you from the bondages of sin. It is only in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our deliverer. Note a similar prayer in the Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:”

Romans 7:24 Comments - Any Christian struggling for sanctification has felt like crying out this phrase from his spirit, or inner man. Praise God. When we do, we know that there is now presently no condemnation on us.

Romans 7:24 shows us that a born-again believer who continues in sin is a most unhappy creature. He does not really “enjoy the pleasures of sin” any more deep down inside. A Christian seeks to be delivered from this miserable condition of sin. So, we groan within ourselves (i.e., in the inner man) wanting to be redeemed from this body.

Romans 8:23, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

Romans 7:25 “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” Word Study on “I thank God” The Greek construction ( χάριν ἔχω τῷ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ) or ( χάρις τῷ θεῷ ) [171] or some variation of this phrase is found no less than thirteen times in the Greek New Testament (Luke 17:9, Romans 6:17; Romans 7:25, 1 Corinthians 10:30; 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 8:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15, Colossians 3:16, 1Ti 1:12 , 2 Timothy 1:3, Philemon 1:7 [t.r.], Hebrews 12:28). It is properly translated in a variety of ways; “I am grateful to God,” or “I thank God,” “Let’s give thanks,” or “with thanks to the Lord.”

[171] Kurt Aland, Matthew Black, Carlo M. Martini, Bruce M. Metzger, M. Robinson, and Allen Wikgren, The Greek New Testament, Fourth Revised Edition (with Morphology) (Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1993, 2006), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 2.1c [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2000-2004), Romans 7:25.

Comments - Under the Mosaic Law, man’s sinful nature ruled him so that he was unable to serve the Lord. We thank God that our ability to serve the Lord is now through the power of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ dwelling within us. Romans 8:13 says, “If ye through the Spirit (i.e., Spirit of Jesus) do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

Romans 7:25 “So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” - Comments - The mind refers to “the understanding” of man. For example, 1 Corinthians 14:44 says that we can pray in the spirit without the understanding; so, the mind is in the soul, and not in spirit. If we are serving the God’s law with the mind (part of the soul), then it is a renewed mind (Romans 12:2). This phrase “with the mind” is the spiritual-mindedness that is referred to in Romans 8:6, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” It is the renewed mind that is able to make a decision between right and wrong. Jesus Christ is the answer for our deliverance from the carnal mindset of the flesh as we mortify the deeds of the body through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13).

1 Corinthians 14:14, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.”

Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

Note also:

Romans 1:9, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;”

Romans 7:25 Comments There are a number of the passages in the New Testament that deal with the Christian's battle with his own fleshly lusts (for example, Romans 7:23, Galatians 5:17, James 1:14-15).

Romans 7:23, “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”

Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

James 1:14-15, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

The Will of Man:

In Genesis 3:1 Adam yielded to temptation. In contrast, Jesus' temptation by Satan in the wilderness after forty days is an example of victory of His own will. After studying the illustrations of the temptations of Adam and Eve and of Jesus, we see that, since man is a 3-fold creature; spirit, soul, body, the will is in the soul. Man’s born-again spirit desires God’s will, but the flesh of body desires sin. So if a man is carnal minded, he will follow the flesh. If he is spiritual minded, he will follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The soul determines which direction the person will go, and the devil knows this is so. The struggle is not fought in the realm of the spirit, or in the realm of the flesh, although these two realms are contrary to each other. The struggle takes place in the realm of the soul, where decisions are made.

What about James 4:17, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Why? Because the ultimate choice is determined by a man’s will. Webster defines will power as “the strength of will, mind, or determination.” [172]

[172] Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language, College Edition (New York: The World Publishing Company, 1960), 1673.

Mark 14:36, “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt .”

1 Corinthians 7:36-37, “But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will , he sinneth not: let them marry. Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will , and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.”

1 Corinthians 9:17, “For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will , a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.”

The Will of Man and the Fear of God:

Jesus choose to say, “nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt,” (Mark 14:36) because He feared God.

Mark 14:36, “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.”

Jesus chose God’s will because he feared God.

Hebrews 5:7, “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared ;”

The fear of God guides the man of God:

Isaiah 29:13, “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”

Hebrews 12:21, “And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)”

Conclusion:

Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Few Christians dig into the Word of God enough to come out with a dose of Godly fear. Yet those Christians who do this appear to be the only ones not overcome in the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20).

Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 3:7, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”

Proverbs 14:26-27, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”

Proverbs 16:6, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”

How does fear come? See Proverbs 2:1-5:

Proverbs 2:1-5, “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD , and find the knowledge of God.”

Illustration - Peter’s temptation in Luke 22:31 was a spiritual battle. Peter was willing (Luke 22:33), but his flesh was weak.

Luke 22:31-33, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.”

Two factors play a part in winning the victory over temptation:

Matthew 26:41, “ Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation : the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

1. Watchfulness or alertness.

1 Peter 5:8, “ Be sober, be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

BDAG says the Greek word “sober” ( νήφω ) (G3525) means, “free from every mental and spiritual ‘drunkenness,’ from excess, passion, rashness, confusion, etc, well balanced, self-controlled.”

BDAG says the Greek word “vigilant” ( γρηγορέω ) (G1127) means, ‘to keep or be awake.”

Peter is telling us that we have to be spirit-minded, or notice that spiritual things are having a factor on this physical earth in people and circumstances. Illustration - I was told the story that in Africa, there was a tree (somewhat small) that could not be pushed over for construction by a bulldozer. The reason why was because of the demonic realm and witchcraft in that area.

1 Thessalonians 5:8, “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”

This has to do with the armor of Ephesians 6:14-17. The armor is a way of illustrating soberness and watchfulness and readiness.

2. Prayer.

Matthew 6:13, “ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil : For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

2 Thessalonians 3:2, “And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.”

Also, note in Psalms David’s prays to God for help.

Romans 7:24-25 Scripture References - Note:

1 Corinthians 15:56-57, “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”