Romans 7:7-13 What will we say then? Is the law sin? G-d forbid. No, I had not known sin, but by the law (instruction): for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You will not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of conscience. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law (instruction) is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death to me? G-d 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.
Analyze the paragraph. Focus on the following three statements of verse 9.
"When the commandment came" - It brought sin covetous desire and death. (It showed what was wrong with us)
"Sin sprang to life." - I would not have known what sin was except through the law (instruction). Apart from law sin is dead. Sin deceived me.
"I died" - sin brought death, (because I was imperfect) sin known by the commandments put me to death. The law was holy and perfect. I was however not so. My Sin is what caused death for me!
How is it that Paul can say that the law's intention was "to bring life" in view of what he says in Gal. 3:21.
Galatians 3:21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of G-d? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.
Answer: The law (instruction) was put in place to lead us to Yeshua who brings life. The sacrifices tell us that we needed a system to "cover" our sins. They pointed to a new way in which someone would come to 'take away" our sins.
So, is that which is good made death to me?
G-d 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.
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
When Paul uses the first person singular ("I") throughout Rom. 7:7-25, is he truly referring to himself? What other options might there be?
No, Paul is talking about Believers in the past, before they were believers.
Other options:
Nobody in particular, but everyone in general. Israel, Adam
We continue to struggle with this human nature as Paul describes in these verses. If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Paul goes on to say we focus on things above according to the Spirit.
It is kind of like telling your little child. "Do not go into the street you might be killed." Well you know the moment you tell them what happens? What do they want to do? They want to do it more....
Romans 7:15-25 For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not wish to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which indwells me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish. But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of G-d in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to G-d through Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) our L-rd! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of G-d, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
Let our focus be on Yeshua, not on what we should not do. The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward G-d. We cannot achieve it's demand of perfection. We put our flesh to death and through the spirit follow our L-rd whom is our example and focus. Only through Yeshua and the power of HaShem can we conquer this human nature. We are now married to Him and under Him. We also yearn to receive our glorified bodies and will be glorified with Him.
To those that judge those under the law (instruction) of the Messiah. Romans make clear they are not without fault either and also break the instructions. So it is pretty hypocritical for them to claim to keep from breaking the instructions or to say which one you have a problem with. The same one we all have a problem with- loving to perfection. If you quarrel and fight with your brother over such things neither one is acting in LOVE.
James addresses them along with Yeshua and HaShem.
James 4:11-12 Speak not evil one of another, brothers. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law (of liberty), and judges the law(of Messiah): but if You judge the law, You are not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who are you that judges another?
Titus 3:9-11But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and SINS, being condemned of himself.