Romans 7:1-12
Q.1. What point was Paul making about the Law, with the analogy of a widowed woman? Is the believer still joined to the Law since coming to Christ? – (Rom.7:1-6)
Paul was utterly logical, and as did Jesus, often used simple illustrations. He pointed out that – the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband (Rom.7:2). In fact – if while her husband is living, she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man (Rom.7:3). The believer is joined to Another, so that we might live for Him, and bear fruit to the glory of God (Rom.7:4). Paul suggested that the Law inflames our desires because of our sinful nature (Rom.7:5). However now we have died, and therefore been freed, and have a new focus which is to please our Master (Rom.7:6). It would be a relief if there was an easy way to walk in perpetual victory. The theory is easier than the practice. The only good thing about my failure, is that it drives me back to God, and binds me to Him.
Q.2. How did Paul explain the blessing of the Law? Does law-keeping produce death? Why is the Law holy, righteous, and good? – (Rom.7:7-12)
Paul anticipated that people might wrongly conclude that the Law is sinful. He responded – … On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.” (Rom.7:7). He seemed to suggest that in his infancy, when he was unaware of the Law, he was free from its dictates. However, once he came to know the Law, it stirred up all kinds of passions in him (Rom.7:9). Paul claimed that sin deceived him, and the Law brought death. Here he hearkened back to the time when he was under bondage to the rule-keeping of the Pharisees, UNTIL he came to Christ (c.f. Phil.3:4-6). The Law was the written Word from God. However, our allegiance is now to the Living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. In our sinfulness and foolishness, we pride ourselves by trying to please God with our self-effort. This results in death. Nevertheless, Paul was at pains to uplift the Law, which is – … holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good (Rom.7:12). As he has told us in the earlier chapters of Romans, the real culprit is our sin nature.