Romans 7:7-25
The Law of God and the Law of Sin

Today, 03/22/2023, let us, together in the grace of God, rejoice and reflect on the Word of God in Romans 7:7-25

7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Let it not be! But I did not know sin except through Law; for also I did not know lust except the Law said, “You shall not lust.” Ex. 20:17

8 But sin taking occasion through the commandment worked every lust in me; for apart from Law, sin is dead.

9 And I was alive apart from Law once, but the commandment came, and sin came alive, and I died.

10 And the commandment which was to life, this was found to be death to me;

11 for sin taking occasion through the commandment deceived me, and through it killed me.

12 So indeed the Law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

13 Then that which is good, has it become death to me? Let it not be! But sin, that it might appear to be sin, having worked out death to me through the good, in order that sin might become excessively sinful through the commandment.

14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, having been sold under sin.

15 For what I work out, I do not know. For what I do not will, this I do. But what I hate, this I do.

16 But if I do what I do not will, I agree with the Law, that it is good.

17 But now I no longer work it out, but the sin dwelling in me.

18 For I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwells no good. For to will is present to me, but to work out the good I do not find.

19 For what good I desire, I do not do. But the evil I do not desire, this I do.

20 But if I do what I do not desire, it is no longer I working it out, but the sin dwelling in me.

21 I find then the law, when I desire to do the right, that evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the Law of God according to the inward man;

23 but I see another law in my members having warred against the law of my mind, and taking me captive by the law of sin being in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then I myself with the mind truly serve the Law of God, and with the flesh the law of sin.

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Suggested Questions:

1. What does the phrase “for apart from law, sin is dead” mean?

2. What does the phrase “I was alive apart from law once” mean?

3. How does sin taking occasion through the commandment deceived humanity? Provide an example.

4. Is there anything that is “holy, righteous, and good” of God that has been abolished? If so, what is it, and why was it abolished?

5. Why do the majority of Evangelical churches and the Catholic church teach that the commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy has been abolished? What is the reason for their teaching?

6. Is the content of verse 19 still applicable to God’s people? Why or why not?

7. What does the phrase “the body of this death” mean?

8. How are those who have been rescued from the body of death saved?

9. What does this phrase mean: “I myself with the mind truly serve the Law of God, and with the flesh the law of sin”?

10. What is the law of sin? Who established it? Why is it called a law?

Suggested Applications:

1. Compare yourself now, when you have sincerely accepted the Gospel, live according to the Word of God, with yourself before, when you had not accepted the Gospel, do you see any differences?

2. Are you still compelled to follow the law of sin? If so, you should set aside a day to fast, come to the Lord, ask Him to help you truly repent and confess so that He can sanctify you.

3. Are you busy living for the Lord or not? If not, who are you busy living for?

4. Is it the busyness with the things of this life that causes you to be distant from God, lacking time to meditate on the Word of God, and no longer having time to do the good works that God has prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10)?