Gospel Light Christian Church Thru-The-Bible Series (9.1)

The Epistle to the Romans

Romans 7:1-13 - Read this Bible passage once through before referring to the notes below.

Introduction

In this chapter, Paul teaches us that sanctification (i.e. allowing God to change you into His image by the agent of the Holy Spirit thus enabling holy living) is impossible by our own effort. It is only possible when we are in spiritual union with Christ.  In the first section, v.1-6, God shows how those that were placed by Him under law were released from that relation by sharing in the death of Christ; so that, joined to a Risen Christ, they bear fruit; and, released from law, they give glad and willing service.

Believers United to Christ

v.1  This letter was written to them that know the law, the Jews because Jews were familiar with the Mosaic Law. The readers knew that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth, but when a man died the laws of his country ceased to have power over him. Similarly, when a man “died” legally (eg. revoked his citizenship and ceased to be a citizen of that country) he was freed from many of the laws of the country.

v.2,3 Here Paul uses the marriage relationship to illustrate the fact  that only death breaks a legal bond. It shows the dissolution of a relationship by death, thus making possible a new relationship. 

v.4  Paul now tells them that when the body of Christ was crucified at the cross (ie, when Christ died), his death also freed us from the need to obey the Law as a condition of salvation. The death of the husband freed the wife to be married to another (v.3). Similarly, the death of Christ the cross freed Christians from the obligation to obey the Law so as to be saved – and freed them to be united (ie, married) to Christ (ie, him who is raised from the dead). This “marriage” (spiritual union) with Christ will bring forth fruit of Christ-like works that will glorify God.

It is no longer necessary to fulfil the demands of the Law as a condition of salvation because Christ has already done that for us. The Law demanded punishment and death for our sins, Christ suffered at the Cross until the Law was fully satisfied (MAT 5:17) and then He cried out "it is finished" (JOH 19:30). The Law continues to be the guide for our lives (MAT 5:18) in our process of sanctification but is not the condition for our salvation.

Before Jesus' death, the Law was our “husband” whom we had to serve (or be punished) now we are free to be married (through a spiritual union, ROM 6:4) to another, even to him who is raised from the dead (ie, Jesus Christ) who saved us from the cruel "husband" of the Law (- a “husband” whose demands we could never satisfy).

The usual result of marriages is to bring forth fruit.

v.5 When we were in the flesh (ie, in our natural sinful state) the motions of sin (ie, the acts of sin) were aroused by the law. 

To those still in the flesh controlled by the evil nature through a body dead to God, legal restraint was impossible. Sin rebelled against the law.  Therefore, the Law did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

v.6 When an unsaved man tries to obey the Law for his salvation, he produces only outward obedience that may impress men (ie, obeying in oldness of the letter) but in reality he only brings forth fruit unto death. Therefore, in spite of his outward appearance of holiness, the religious man is spiritually dead wherein he was held under the Law. However, when a man is in union with Christ, as he surrenders his will, he will have Christ-like desires and strength and will be able to serve  in newness of spirit.  Furthermore, having been freed from the penalty of the Law, and being so graciously adopted into Christ's family he obeys the Law with filial joy. Sin has been “put out of business” as Paul said.

v.7 After reading v.5 one may be tempted to blame the Law for sin – but the thought that God will give a Law to make man sin is unthinkable (God forbid!). On the contrary, the purpose of the Law is to reveal to us what sin really is. Many people think of sin as an external act that hurts someone else, therefore if no one is hurt by our thought or act then it is not sin (eg. white lies). But sin is any act (internal or external) that is against God's Law and therefore displeases God. For example, many people do not realize that lust (ie, covetousness) is a sin against God (namely, of being dissatisfied with His provision). Sin is primarily an act of rebellion against God, as opposed to an act that hurts men.

v.8 As explained in v.5, our sinful nature often takes occasion of the commandment (ie, takes an opportunity from the Law, using it as a starting-point to sin) and wroughts in us all manner of concupiscence (ie, desires, lusts). 

v.9 Unsaved man is so sinful that attempts to stop sin by teaching against sin – often does the very opposite, ie, it caused more sinful thoughts. For example, when attempts are made to teach an unsaved man the evils of being too materialistic by telling him that owning too many luxury cars is useless – the unsaved man’s thoughts may be led to start thinking of all types of luxury cars instead of the uselessness of owning them! A saved man, by God’s grace, can benefit from such teaching but not an unsaved man. This is the reason why “moral education” and “religion” do not produce better men. 

v.10  The commandment that was ordained to life (ie, intended to give us life), we found that it did not do so because of our exceeding sinfulness, which robs us of the ability to do so. Of course, the Sovereign God knew all along that men could not obey the Law, but proud men had to find out for themselves that they could not!

v.11 Man generally thinks that a good law would make us better people but they are deceived. 

v.12 The problem is not with the Law which is obviously holy, and just and good, but with the sinful.

v.l3 Since the Law which is holy and good cannot be the cause of death unto us, then obviously it must be sin in us that is the cause. When we see how our sinful nature perverts a good Law and uses it as an opportunity to sin, we realize the magnitude of our sinful nature (ie, sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful). It is extremely difficult to recognize the extent of our sinfulness.