Romans 7:1-12, The Law’s Authority and Activity

Bible Study with Dr. Thomas Constable

Romans 7:1-12 delves into the relationship between the law, sin, and our new life in Christ. Here's a summary of this passage:
Paul begins by addressing his audience, primarily Jewish believers who were familiar with the law. He uses the analogy of marriage to illustrate his point. He explains that the law has authority over a person only as long as they are alive. Just as a woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives, believers were once bound to the law, which reveals sin and demands obedience.
Paul goes on to say that through the death and resurrection of Christ, believers have been released from the law's authority. They have died to the law and are now free to belong to Christ. The purpose of this liberation is to bear fruit for God and live in the newness of the Spirit, not in the oldness of the letter of the law.
The passage highlights that the law itself is not sinful; it merely exposes sin. Paul illustrates this by using the example of coveting, showing how the law revealed this sin in his life. He acknowledges the struggle between his desire to do good according to the law and the presence of sin within him.
Paul concludes that the law is holy, righteous, and good. It serves to show us what is right and pleasing to God. However, the law also reveals our inability to keep it perfectly and points us to the need for a Savior—Jesus Christ. Through Him, we can find forgiveness and freedom from the condemnation of the law.
In summary, Romans 7:1-12 explains how believers have been released from the authority of the law through their union with Christ. While the law itself is good, it reveals our sinfulness and inability to perfectly obey it. Christ's death and resurrection have set believers free to live in the Spirit and bear fruit for God, finding righteousness and forgiveness through Him.