We Died to the Law because It Only Proved We Were Captive to Sin (Romans 7)

"But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." Romans 7:6 (NIV)

Context

The context to keep in mind, while reading Romans 7, is Paul’s view that the Law was God’s good gift to Israel. The Law was not humanity’s problem. Instead, sin had hijacked the Law, and used it to keep humanity captive, held in death’s grip.

For Paul, the Law of Moses is “holy, righteous, and good” (Romans 7:12) because:

1. It taught humanity what sin is (Rom 3:20; 7:7-11; Gal 3:19)

• As it did this, it also illuminated how short we fall from God’s righteous standard (Romans 5:20)

2. It promoted a just nation in Ancient Israel, protecting its citizens from the disastrous effects of sin left unchecked (Galatians 3:24-26).

3. The justness of Israelite society and God’s commitment to His covenant with them revealed God’s character to foreign nations in the Ancient Near East (Deuteronomy 4:6-8; Deuteronomy 29:22-28).

4. As a shadow and a type, it pointed forward to its fulfillment in Jesus, (Hebrews 8:5, 10:1).

Observation

Significantly, Paul repeats “law” throughout Romans 7. Pay attention to what he says about it:

• In Romans 7:1-6 - Notice the illustration he makes and how he applies it.
• In Romans 7:7-13 - Notice how Paul personifies sin and what it does to the law.
• In Romans 7:14-25 - Notice Paul’s emotions: How does he feel about the law? How does he feel about his actions? What does he want to do?
• Before his conclusion at the end of this chapter, notice the question Paul asks (Romans 7:24b) and how he answers it (Romans 7:25a)

Interpretation

In Romans 6, Paul explained to readers that they were dead to sin and no longer slaves to its tyranny. Here, in Romans 7, he wants them to know that they are also dead to the Law of Moses. Why is it important for them to know this? If they didn’t know this and turned to the Law as their new Master, what would result?

Remember, Paul is writing this letter to the church in Rome, made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers. How do you think the Jewish readers might feel while reading this chapter? Angry? Scared? Understood? How might the Gentile readers feel?

Because righteousness could not be achieved by the law (since the law was “weakened by the flesh”), sin took advantage of the opportunity to secure humanity’s condemnation (Romans 8:3). In Romans 7:14-25, Paul illustrates this occurring even in people who love God’s law and desire to keep its commands. Why is this significant? What does this communicate to the readers about humanity’s predicament?

Application

Can you relate to Paul’s experience of trying to be obedient to God’s commands, and yet still feeling captive to sin? How could the “renewal of your mind” in this area of the gospel (that you are dead both to sin AND the Law) affect this experience?

Do you ever try to grow in Christ by relying on restrictions and rules? Do you disciple others to grow this way? How could you approach growth differently?