Our titles for today’s study are; Verses 1-6 The law and sin. Verses 7-12 The problem of indwelling sin. Verses 13-25 The struggle of two natures. Romans 7 and verse 1 reads.
Rom.7:1] Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
As long as we are in the flesh, we are under law. But, for the Gentiles, who are brought by faith into law, for with Christ we are given the grace of repentance. Now, for marriage.
Rom.7:2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Before we continue with the law of marriage I want all to know that on repentance all sin is forgivable. When our sins are forgiven, they are blotted out as if they never existed. Let’s go to Isaiah 44 and verse 21 reads.
Isa.44:21] Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
[22] I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
Now let’s go to Acts 3 and verse 17 reads.
Acts 3:17] And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
[18] But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
[19] Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
[20] And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Showing us here that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, is of Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:21] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Since this earth age began. Meaning; Ion in the Greek, a length of time.
Acts 3:22] For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
See how God’s Word brings together the Old with the New. Prophesied not only by Isaiah but by the Lawgiver himself, Moses. Back to Romans 7, which are the ABC’s of the law, and verse 3 reads.
Rom.7:3] So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
The woman is called an adulteress. But not if she repents, for if she repents then her sins do not remain, they have been forgiven. This also goes for the man. Many people put others under bondage with this verse. Did not Jesus say; The truth shall set you free. But by the Grace of God, we have forgiveness of all sins through repentance. Jesus taught us in Matthew 5 and verse 31 reads.
Mat.5:31] It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
[32] But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Jesus did not say that he held her liable, but that the husband had done so. Making the man who would marry her later an adulterer also, not that the law did. These are traditions of men that make void the Word of God. Back to Romans 7 and verse 4 reads.
Rom.7:4] Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
We wait for that marriage to the Lamb. This just took gender out of the equation, and do what? Bring forth fruit unto God. Fruit is your works, the only thing we take with us to heaven. Remember the woman who had seven husbands, all brothers? What did Jesus say to the one that was tempting him? Let’s go to Matthew 22 and verse 29 reads.
Mat.22:29] Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
[30] For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Back to Romans 7 and verse 5 reads.
Rom.7:5] For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
[6] But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
We are only delivered from death by the law through repentance. Only by the blood on the cross could this have been done for us. Through Jesus Christ’s selflessness we have forgiveness of our sins. Once saved, always saved, is not written in God’s Word, it is not law. It is Christ that does the saving, only he is our Redeemer. Let’s go to 2Corinthians 3 and verse 5 reads.
2Cor.3:5] Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
[6] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Back to Romans 7 and verse 7 reads.
Rom.7:7] What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Now, we see that it is law that shows us our sins. We find the tenth commandment in Deuteronomy 5 and verse 21 reads.
Deu.5:21] Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Back to Romans 7 and verse 8 reads.
Rom.7:8] But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
Wrought is worked. Concupiscence G1939 epithumia pronounced ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah and means; a longing (especially for what is forbidden). 1. desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust.
Let’s read it this way; 8) But sin, by law, worked in me all manner of desires for the coveting that is within me. For with knowledge of law, in sin I am dead. Let’s go to Romans 4 and verse 13 reads.
Rom.4:13] For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
[14] For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
[15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Now let’s go to 1Corinthians 15 and verse 54 reads.
1Cor.15:54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Corruptible is speaking of this flesh putting on the spiritual body, the mortal is speaking of your soul (liable to die) putting on deathlessness.
1Cor.15:55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
[56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now let’s go to Hebrews 2 and verse 14 reads.
Heb.2:14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
The perfect plan of God was for the Salvation of our souls from the very beginning. Back to Romans 7 and verse 9 reads.
Rom.7:9] For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Let’s go to James 1 and verse 14 reads.
James 1:14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
[15] Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Back to Romans 7 and verse 10 reads.
Rom.7:10] And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
The commandment for sin is death. Let’s go to Galatians 3 and verse 10 reads.
Gal.3:10] For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
[11] But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
[12] And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Must be a doer of the whole law. But that is impossible because the law of sacrifice has been done away with. Therefore, Christ died on the cross for all sinners. Back to Romans 7 and verse 11 reads.
Rom.7:11] For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
[12] Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
The law is holy, this is why the blood ordinances were holy. This is why his blood on the cross covers our sins on repentance. Through his stripes we are healed. This is law; Commandments, Statue, Judgements and Ordinance. These blood ordinances were nailed with Christ on the cross.
Rom.7:13] Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
When I came to the Truth, then I understood the commandments.
Rom.7:14] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Our spirit is in bondage to our flesh. Only through repentance are we set free. But how can we know what is sin? Read his word, Jesus is the Living Word. The law and the prophets are written for our admonition. The gospels proved his grace.
Rom.7:15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Spiritually arguing with yourself. The flesh wants one thing but the spirit wants the other, righteousness.
Rom.7:16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
[17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Read that very carefully, I can’t explain it any better. Remember, it is the flesh arguing with the spirit. It is the law that convicts us spiritually. Think of it this way. In our flesh dwells our spiritual body, and our soul is the intellect of our spiritual body. That’s how our souls are either mortal or immortal, liable to die, or deathlessness which is life everlasting. Meaning, when we repent, the blood of Jesus (That New Covenant) cloaks our sins and the LORD blots them out as if they never existed. Let’s go to Ecclesiastes and prove we have two bodies within us, Ecclesiastes 12 and verse 6 reads.
Ecc.12:6] Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
When this flesh body dies.
Ecc.12:7] Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Back to Romans 7 and verse 19 reads.
Rom.7:19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
I can’t seem to do what is right. Is what was just said. I think we can all relate to that.
Rom.7:20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
The flesh seems to be winning. Remember the sin in the garden? Adam and Eve partook of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Rom.7:21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Even when I do good, evil is within me? Yes, we are in the flesh. The commandment was for them not to partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, it was the first commandment.
Rom.7:22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
The spirit in me loves God. Let’s go to Psalms 1 and read all of it. Psalms 1 and verse 1 reads.
Psa.1:1] Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
[2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
[3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
[4] The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
[5] Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
[6] For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Back to Romans 7 and verse 23 reads.
Rom.7:23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Mind is your soul, the intellect of your spirit, the flesh fights against the spirit. Let’s go to Galatians 5 and verse 16 reads.
Gal.5:16] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
[17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
[18] But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Not under law if led by the Holy Spirit. This is why John 14 is so important. Let’s go to John 14 and verse 15 reads.
John 14:15] If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Commandments are laws.
John 14:16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
This is the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, saying here again that it is Jesus Christ.
John 14:19] Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
[20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
[21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Manifest means; to make known.
John 14:22] Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
[23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
It said; We will come unto him and make our abode with him. That is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. An awesome promise (Comfort) from our Lord and Savior. Back to Romans 7 and verse 24 reads.
Rom.7:24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Who shall save me? Jesus Christ is our Savior. Jesus; Yahoveh’s Savior. Christ; The Anointed One, the Messiah.
Rom.7:25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
This verse satisfies the argument of whether we are under law or not. We serve the law of God spiritually, and the law of Judgement with the flesh. This would be the law of Faith. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible