| SUMMARY: |
The last question that Paul deals with in his discussion of the relationship of sin, grace and the Law relates to the previous question. Having concluded the Law is holy, righteous and good, someone is bound to ask, “But, Paul, how can that be? The Law caused my spiritual death, didn’t it?” “Certainly not!” the Apostle answers. “Sin to which I was enslaved caused my death, not the Law!” |
| I. Introductory Question and Answer |
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VERSE 7:13 |
| A. The Question: |
Therefore did that which is good become the cause of death for me? |
(13a) |
| B. The Answer: |
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| 1. The Denial: |
May it never be! |
(13b) |
| 2. The Declaration: |
Rather it was sin, |
(13c) |
| 3. The Reason: |
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| a. Statement |
in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, |
(13d) |
| b. Amplification: |
so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. |
(13e) |
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| II. Discussion |
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VERSES 7:14-25 |
| A. I am in Bondage to Sin: |
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| 1. The Principle Stated: |
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| a. The Law: |
For we know that the Law is spiritual, |
(14a) |
| b. The Person: |
but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. |
(14b) |
| 2. The Principle Demonstrated: |
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| a. The Quandary: |
For what I am doing, I do not understand; |
(15a) |
| b. The Behavior: |
for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. |
(15b) |
| 3. The Conclusion: |
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| a. If: |
But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, |
(16a) |
| b. Then: |
I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. |
(16b) |
| B. Indwelling Sin is to Blame: |
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| 1. The Principle Stated: |
So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. |
(17) |
| 2. The Principle Demonstrated: |
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| a. Statement: |
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; |
(18a) |
| b. Explanation: |
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| (1) First: |
or the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. |
(18b) |
| (2) Second: |
For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. |
(19) |
| 3. The Conclusion: |
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| a. If: |
But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, |
(20a) |
| b. Then: |
I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. |
(20b) |
| C. Summary and Conclusion: |
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| 1. The Principles: |
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| a. Indwelling Evil: |
I find then the principle that evil is present in me, |
(21a) |
| b. Good Intentions: |
the one who wants to do good. |
(21b) |
| 2. The Explanation: |
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| b. The Inward Confession: |
For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, |
(22) |
| b. The Law of Sin: |
but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind |
(23a) |
| c. The Bondage: |
and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. |
(23b) |
| (The Hope1Verses 24-25a are parenthetical, foreshadowing the victory brought by Jesus Christ (8:1 and following). The last part of verse 7:25 and verse 26 do not speak of the struggle a believer has with sin, but the best an unbeliever can do under the law. Note the context of the whole section from 7:13 to 25 and also the first two verses of chapter 8 where Paul declares what Christ has done for a believer. Believers are free from the law of sin and death, which tightly grips the person speaking in 7:22 and 23. The wretched man in verse 24 is an unbeliever trying to live a righteous life by the law, which he cannot do. |
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| a. The Lament: |
Wretched man that I am! |
(24a) |
| b. The Question: |
Who will set me free from the body of this death? |
(24b) |
| c. The Deliverance:) |
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! |
(25a) |
| 3. The Conclusion: |
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| a. The Wish: |
So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, |
(25b) |
| b. The Reality: |
but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. |
(25c) |