Welcome to the next Bible Study of Romans, Chapter 7:

Let’s reason and take an inspiring verse by verse look at “Romans 7:1-25“, followed with a Summary and Prayer.

Verse 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?”

The Apostle Paul addresses his audience, specifically addressing those familiar with the Jewish law. He establishes the principle that the law has authority over a person’s life as long as they are alive.

Verse 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.”

Paul uses the example of marriage to illustrate how the law binds people. A married woman is bound to her husband, but if he dies, she is free from that binding law.

Verse 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.”

This verse continues the marriage analogy. While her husband is alive, marrying another would constitute adultery. However, if the husband dies, she is legally and morally free to marry again without being called an adulteress.

Verse 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.”

Paul makes a transition, stating that believers are dead to the law through the death of CHRIST. This provides the opportunity to be married with CHRIST, who was raised from the dead, enabling us to live a new life that produces good works.

Verse 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.”

Prior to knowing CHRIST, when they lived in the flesh, the law stirred up sinful desires, leading to actions that ultimately resulted in spiritual death.

Verse 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.”

Believers have been freed from the law, which once held them captive. This freedom allows them to serve GOD in a new way, through the power of the Holy Spirit rather than through strict old adherence of the letter.

Verse 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.”

Paul questions if the law is sinful. He emphasizes that the law itself is not sin; rather, it reveals sin. Through the commandments, Paul becomes aware of his sinful nature.

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

He explains that sin exploits the commandment to produce sinful desires within him. Without the law, sin’s power is not fully realized.

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

Here, Paul describes a time when he felt alive without the burden of the law, but when the commandment came, he became aware of his sinfulness, leading to spiritual death.

Verse 10: “And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.”

What was intended as a guiding principle for life becomes a source of death when one realizes their inability to fully obey and the resulting condemnation.

Verse 11: “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.”

Paul details how sin deceived him, using the very commandment meant to guide him as a means to bring about spiritual death.

Verse 12: “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”

Despite the negative effects of sin manifested through the law, Paul asserts that the law itself is holy, just, and good.

Verse 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.”

Paul clarifies that it is not the law that causes death, but rather sin’s nature, which reveals its true ugliness through the righteous standards of the law.

Verse 14: “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.”

Paul acknowledges the spiritual nature of the law; yet, he describes himself as being carnal and under the power of sin, indicating a struggle with his sinful nature.

Verse 15: “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.”

Paul expresses a deep internal conflict where he does not understand his own actions. He struggles between his desires to do good and the sinful actions he finds himself performing.

Verse 16: “If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.”

By doing what he hates, Paul acknowledges that he agrees with the law’s goodness; his struggle highlights the law’s effectiveness at revealing sin.

Verse 17: “Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”

Paul emphasizes that the sinful actions are not necessarily his true desire but stem from sin residing within him.

Verse 18: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

Here, Paul reflects on the human condition, asserting that in his flesh there is no good, even though he desires to do good.

Verse 19: “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”

Paul further underscores his struggle: he does not do the good he desires, but instead ends up doing what he detests.

Verse 20: “Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”

This repeats his earlier thought, reiterating the idea that his sinful actions are the result of sin’s presence in him, rather than his true intention.

Verse 21: “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”

Paul discovers a principle: whenever he wants to do good, he finds evil influencing his intentions and actions.

Verse 22: “For I delight in the law of GOD after the inward man.”

Paul expresses a love for GOD’S law in his inner self, showing that while he is unable to fulfill it perfectly, he deeply desires to do so.

Verse 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.”

He describes a conflict between the law of his mind and the opposing law of sin working within his body, illustrating the intense internal battle he faces.

Verse 24: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

In a moment of despair, Paul laments his condition and longs for deliverance, identifying the struggle of living in a fallen world.

Verse 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.”

Paul concludes by expressing thanks for GOD’S deliverance through JESUS CHRIST. He acknowledges that, while his mind aims to serve GOD, he still contends with the remaining influence of sin in his flesh.

Let’s Summarize Romans Chapter 7:

In “Romans 7:1-25”, Paul discusses the relationship between the law, sin, and the believer’s struggle. He illustrates how the law reveals sin and highlights humanity’s inability to fully adhere to GOD’S standards due to the fallen nature. Through his analogy of marriage, he explains that believers are freed from the law through CHRIST, enabling them to serve GOD in a new way. Despite this freedom, Paul acknowledges the ongoing internal battle between the desire to do good and the sinful nature. He ultimately finds hope and deliverance in JESUS CHRIST.

Let us Pray:

Dear LORD, almighty HEAVENLY FATHER, We thank You for the gift of Your marvelous, righteous Word and the truth fulfilling insights You provide through Your Holy Spirit. We acknowledge the struggle between our desires to follow You and the sin that dwells within us. Thank You for the grace and forgiveness found in JESUS CHRIST, who delivers us from our wretched states. Help us to lean on Your Spirit for strength as we seek to bring forth fruit in our lives for Your glory. May we find peace in knowing that in our weakness, You are strong. Guide our journey as we continue to grow in our faith and understanding of Your truth. Thank you dear LORD, almighty HEAVENLY FATHER. We pray this throughout the mighty, glorious, fulfilling name of JESUS CHRIST!
Amen!

Much LoVe, JoY, Peace and Blessings to You, through JESUS CHRIST, our almighty dear LORD, SAVIOUR and REDEEMER!