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 (see Rom.7:4). Paul suggested that the Law inflames our desires because of the tendencies of our sinful nature (see Rom.7:5). However now believers have died and have therefore been set free. The Lord has given us a new focus which is to please our Master (see Rom.7:6). It would be a relief if there was an easy way to walk in perpetual victory. Only the perfect Son of God has accomplished that. The theory of living in victory is easier than the practice. The only good thing about my failure, is that it drives me back to God, and therefore binds me to Him.
Q.2. How did Paul explain the blessing of the Law? Does law-keeping produce death? How can the apostle teach that the Law is holy, righteous, and good? – (Rom.7:7-12)
Paul anticipated that people might wrongly conclude that the Law is bad and 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, Paul testified that it stirred up all kinds of passions in him (see 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 (see Phil.3:4-6). The Law was contained in the written Word from God. However, our allegiance is now to the Living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. In their sinfulness and foolishness, people pride themselves by trying to please God with their self-effort. However, living by the Law without a Saviour 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.