Romans Chapter 7 — The Law and the Struggle with Sin
Paul explains that believers are released from the law through Christ and describes the difficult internal conflict between knowing what is good and doing what is wrong.
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Notable Verses
Romans 7:6
“But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.”
This verse highlights the transition from living under legalistic requirements to serving God through the Holy Spirit.
Romans 7:12
“Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, righteous, and good.”
Paul affirms that the moral law of God remains inherently good despite the human struggle to fulfill it.
Romans 7:24
“What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death?”
This verse captures the climax of human helplessness in the face of sin and the need for a savior.
Chapter Summary
Romans Chapter 7 begins with an analogy of marriage to illustrate that the law's authority ends at death, meaning believers are free from the law through their union with the crucified and risen Christ. Paul then clarifies that the law itself is not sinful; rather, it exposes and defines sin. He explains that even though the law is holy and good, sin uses the law to bring death to the individual. In the second half of the chapter, Paul describes a deeply personal struggle where the 'inward person' delights in God's law, but the 'flesh' remains captive to sin. This results in a frustrating cycle where one does the very things they hate despite desiring to do good. The chapter concludes with a cry for deliverance from this 'body of death,' pointing toward the rescue found through Jesus Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paul compares the law to marriage, noting that a wife is bound to her husband only as long as he lives. He uses this to explain that believers have 'died' to the law through Christ, allowing them to be 'married' to Him instead.
No, Paul explicitly states that the law is holy, righteous, and good. He argues that the law's purpose is to reveal what sin is, though sin uses the law to produce disobedience in humans.
Paul describes a conflict where a person desires to do good according to God's law but finds themselves doing the evil they hate. He attributes this to sin dwelling within the fleshly nature of humanity.
After expressing his frustration with his internal conflict, Paul concludes the chapter by thanking God that deliverance comes through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Study Note
The shift in tense from past to present in verse 14 has led to much discussion among scholars regarding whether Paul is describing his past life or his current Christian experience.
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