The Complexity of the Law in Romans

Welcome – explain stage Prayer Song Silence Romans 7.13 May 23rd, 2021

Okay, last week Paul gave us a tremendous example for how to see the Law (as believers). And he said that in order to truly live “to God through Christ,” we have to allow the Law to die and once it does, we are free to marry another, even Jesus Christ, who leads us in a new Law that He gave – love. Having presented us this story or analogy of marriage in verses 1-3, Paul, in verses 7-13, takes the time to give us more explanation of this tremendous illustration.

Paul's Explanation of the Law

Let me note here that once he does this, he will then, in verses 14-29, explain what all of this means when applied to Christians who (with their mind – at least) will love the law of God, but in their flesh, at times, will continue to give allegiance to the law of the flesh, which is missing the mark God has for us. But first things first. From verse seven to the end of the chapter, Paul uses the nominative, oblique, and reflexive personal pronouns “I, me, and myself” forty-seven times! In other words, he really draws from his own experience of being both free from the law but also under its domain.

Now before we read these verses in the King James, it seems to me that when we endeavor to explain something complicated our words can get confusing. This is the case with Paul’s words in the King James and our verses today so don’t be daunted just yet. We left off with verse 6 which says:

But now (Paul says) 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.

And at verse 7 Paul begins with a question asking:

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace.? 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. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God.. 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. 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.

The Law and Human Conscience

Again, in verses 1-3 he tells us that the law (or the husband in the analogy) must die for the believer (the wife) to be married to another (Christ) which therefore makes it possible for the believer to bear genuine fruits of love. It may seem like both Paul and those who try and explain him like me, sound like they are saying, “THE LAW of God IS BAD. I do not mean to suggest this.

In Psalm 19:7 it reads:

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”

Let me talk about the Law of the Lord just for just a minute. Law, in essence, is a rule of action. God’s Law, is the righteous rule of action for human beings. It is manifested in many places and in a variety of ways. First, we have what we might call “The Law of Nature.”

Roman’s one and two tells is this is discoverable by “natural light” that all people possess. In other words, we somehow “know” innately (or by natural light) that causing another human being pain because we don’t like them is wrong. It is a natural law and when we break them, we naturally try and hide the acts from others. We see children do this all the time. Adam and Eve did it too.

This law is binding on all at all times and we generally call it “conscience,” or the capacity of being influenced by a moral relations of things. John one calls it the Light that was given to all humankind. Is it good? Yes. Perfect. Given by God. We know that in the fallen world this can be altered in the womb by

Understanding the Different Types of Laws

Substance abuse and genetic defect or accident to the mind, but this does not make the law any less perfect. Then there are Ceremonial Laws given to the Jews found in the Old Testament and present the rites and ceremonies of worship. In our study of that book we will discover that most of them point to their promised Messiah.

Hebrew 7:11 says

“If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?”

Hebrews 10:1 says:

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”

Fulfillment of the Law

And as we read last week regarding Christ fulfilling this Law in His flesh, Ephesians 2:15-16 says:

“Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”

Then there is the Judicial Law or the law which directed the civil policy of the Hebrew nation. These laws change, but typically as they stood amidst the Hebrew nation they reflected the perfect will and righteousness of God in the administration of their national affairs. Some Christians today suggest that our nation ought to be governed by these Laws God gave them.

Then there’s the Moral Law, which we also discover in the “revealed will of God” (Tanakh) and it pertains to human conduct. This moral law, as we read in Psalms 19:7, it is called . . . Perfect Perpetual (Matthew 5:17,18) Holy (Romans 7:12) and as we have read today, “good and spiritual” (Romans 7:14), and “exceeding broad” (Psalm 119:96).

The Nature of the Law and Sin

Now listen carefully, although the aspects of the moral law are binding on all, we are not all under it as a covenant of works. We are under grace as Paul makes plain. And we also know that the reason being is that while the Law of God is perfect and good and binding, when it is presented to Man it’s sort of like giving a grand piano to an ape – the two are too incompatible to function as they should. Therefore, God gave another means of saving humanity – His Son.

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. (And he adds) 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.”

So, is there evil in the Law of God itself? God forbid! Paul exclaims but adds that he knew of sin BY the law. Go back to the gorilla/grand piano example. The grand piano is perfectly put together. But the gorilla, being a beast, when he sits down and tries to play it (well) becomes frustrated, and in the end rips the keys and top and wires out of the thing. He does not appreciate what it represents nor the music it is capable of producing in the right hands. In this way the very presence of the piano, which is good and perfect and beautiful, brings out the sin in the beast. And so, it is with the Law of God when placed before sinful man.

Then Paul goes deeper into his explanation, pulling from his own personal insights and replying to his own rhetorical question, when he says: “Nay” (the King James says, which is the word alla, and translated means, “But”) So he says, “The Law is not sin but I had not known sin but BY the Law.”

Remember Romans 3:20?

Sing it! Come on!

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

When Paul says that he would not have known sin, he evidently means that he had not understood that certain things were sinful until he learned that they had been forbidden . . .

And he gives us an example, saying:

“for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

What Paul seems to be saying is he had a natural propensity toward lusting after things. Now the word lust here in the King James is not limited to sexual desires but extends all the way out to coveting for

Understanding the Law and Human Desire

Paul dives into a profound exploration of human nature, touching upon the sin of covetousness which is intrinsically linked with desires, possessions, and attributes that are not ours. He recounts how he was unaware of the sinful nature of covetousness until the tenth commandment revealed it to him. This illumination, rather than quenching the desire, intensified it and made it even more enticing, demonstrating a paradoxical nature of the Law.

The Role of the Law

While the Law serves to establish boundaries and teach righteousness, it simultaneously can incite rebellion and frustration. It might even provoke the very sins it intends to prevent. Paul elaborates that before joining with Christ, this internal struggle was pronounced. He queries in verse 7 of Romans, "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid." He acknowledges that without the Law, he would not have recognized sin, as exemplified by his ignorance of covetousness.

8: "And sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead."

Concupiscence and Human Nature

The Greek word "Epithumia," translated as concupiscence in the text, signifies "illicit desire." Reimagining verse eight, we understand how sin exploits the commandment to awaken all forms of covetousness within us. This phenomenon shows that human nature can thrill in defying the law, similar to robbers deriving excitement from their heists or the thrill of illicit relations under the threat of discovery.

The presence of Law grants some individuals a platform to challenge authority, asserting independence and goodness without divine statutes. In these circumstances, the genuine love for God diminishes, overshadowed by the law itself. According to Paul, genuinely moral individuals do not need laws, while those inclined to misdeeds typically disregard them.

Paul supports this notion with allusions to noteworthy literary sources: the Roman poet Horace remarked on human audacity in crime, Ovid reflected on desiring the forbidden, and Proverbs offers wisdom on the tempting nature of stolen pleasures.

Paul’s discourse in these passages of chapter Seven reflect his profound comprehension of human desires, mentioning how, "But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of illicit desire," and clarifying, "For without the law sin was dead."

The Challenge of the Law

The discussion harkens back to the example presented in verses 1-3, where without a living husband (symbolizing the law), a woman could not be deemed an adulterer. In verse nine, Paul discusses a contentious point, saying, "For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died." This presents a complex concept that invites deeper reflection.

Paul and the Law

And I realize that I am standing against the general agreement of scholars far more intelligent and educated than me when I teach this passage the way I am going to, but think about it for a minute.

Paul is certainly talking to the believers at Rome. And here it seems the believers he is specifically addressing are those who were converted Jews. Got that?

And then speaking of his own experience, he says: “For I was alive without the law once . . .” When was this? Most scholar Paul refers to his life prior to becoming a Christian. It’s entirely possible because under the law many Jews believed themselves to “be alive.”

We recall that in Philippians 3:4-6 Paul writes about his former life as a Jew, saying:

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Paul's Experience and Beliefs

The argument is that in this state of outward devotion to the law he was free from the agitations he experienced later when he was brought under conviction of sin by and through an understanding of the Law. I suppose that he was saying that at that time (though he had the law and was attempting to obey it) he was pretty much “unacquainted with its true nature.” That he was dedicated to “an external conformity to it and its claims on his heart enabled him to believe he was alive and therefore holy before God.”

We can discover this attitude in people who think themselves holy by the law, don’t we? But I think differently from them when Paul says, when was Paul without the Law even once? He was born an observant Jew! Taking everything into account, including his own description of himself, I would suggest that Paul is describing his OWN experience of being born-again, experiencing life without the law, but then perhaps his too re-embracing elements of the Law. I see it this way for the following reasons:

Paul's Description of His Own Experience

First, and as mentioned, Paul was never “alive without the Law.” He was born under the Law and the Law was paramount to the life and living of every devout Jew – to which he attests in Philippians.

Secondly, because he was never without the law, I don’t believe he would ever describe himself as “alive” while under it – that argument would be antithetical to the freedom he experienced to being alive in Christ and therefore free from the death the law brings.

Third, this letter to the Romans is a letter to the members of the body there, and at this part of his letter he is specifically writing to converted Jews who were under the impression gentile converts needed to embrace elements of the Law!

So I think he is explaining how he too, once took this approach in his own life, and then he will detail the terrible results.

Fourth, Paul writes at verse 9 that

9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

If we read this passage as though Paul is describing himself while a Jew (which is how the scholars describe it) what it errantly intimates is Paul was once without the law. That then the Law appeared (or he became aware of it), and when this happened, sin REVIVED!

Meaning that he had overcome sin by and through the Law under which he had formerly lived – otherwise sin couldn’t have REVIVED, it could have only been born.

So again, I would suggest that Paul is describing something almost all converts to Christianity do once they are saved – Peter did it, and perhaps Paul in that they returned to trying to live by the law once converted.

And in this context, the rest of the chapter makes even more sense.

9 For (he says at verse 9) I was alive (born-again) without the law once (I knew I was saved by Grace): but when the commandment came (When I re-embraced elements of the Law), sin revived, and I died (meaning my walk by and through the Spirit) died (or suffered).

Just as “it dies or suffers” when anyone saved by grace through faith turns.

Christian Living and the Law

Back to the Law in their Christian lives. So again, to make it clear – the sin was dormant in Paul – through Christ as he had died to the Law. But by re-embracing the Law, “it revived, rising up out of the grave where Christ put took it.” And as a result of this, what does Paul say happened? He said, “And I died,” because the end of the Law which revived in him is, and will always be in all of us . . . death.

We are made alive by and through the wonderful grace of God by faith in His son. We are walking on clouds, loving others, sharing Jesus, forgiving bad drivers and self-centered relatives. We are dead to our former persons. We are yielding to the Spirit and not to the flesh. Our former spouse (the Law) is dead, we find ourselves married to another, we have a new identity in Him, and are abiding in His command to love. And one day, looking around at the world, we decide that by golly there are some people around this place that need to shape up! Or that we need to shape up. Peoples gotta study more. Peoples gotta stop going to movies, people gotta start this or stop that. And the Law revives . . . and as a result, we die!

The Role of Love and Law

That spirit that says to love others unconditionally through joy, peace, gentleness, longsuffering, kindness, mercy – dies. In the Christian life that is the wrong person fading! If our spirits really live (by love) when our former man dies, then the opposite is true and if or when Law re-appears, we will watch the new man go to the grave! And our total reliance on Him soon becomes a partial reliance on Him. And our peace wanes, our joy abates, and we walk ten years down the road and turn around and wonder what happened to the wonder we first had? And the life which we had through faith in Him gets feeble, sick and dies. Which is why Paul now says:

10 So the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

So again, and when the Law, which is perfect and put in place by God as a means to guide and lift humanity out of the dirt – the commandment which was ordained unto life – Paul, re-embracing it as a believer, discovers it to have the absolute opposite effect! (LISTEN) Did the Law itself bring this death? Not at all. Listen to what Paul says (verse 11)

11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

This verse is really just a repetition, with a little variation, of what Paul wrote in verse 8. In other words, and again, it was not the Law it was the sin within him that, by the presence of the Law, deceived him! And once deceived, it ultimately killed the New man within.

Faith and Fear in Christian Life

Remember what Paul asked the “foolish Galatians” in Galatians 3:3? “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Having begun in love and faith you are now going to be made perfect through the implementation of laws? You are foolish to even consider it? And yet we see it ALL the time, in ourselves, in others, and in Paul too. And that is because it is a response that is laying there at the bottom of our flesh like a primordial beast. What brings this beast out and up to the surface? In the end I suggest that it is . . . (beat) . . . fear.

See, fear cannot exist where there is faith. We either place our faith in Him and walk courageously in His promises or we stop trusting Him and create our own security. When we place our faith solely in Him we are fearless. When we take our eyes off Him and His works through us we, like Peter, begin to sink. And in that state, we start grasping for the ropes and oars and lifesavers called Law. Once we quell our fears through law, we know that love, the Christian command, begins to die. John the beloved said it best in 1st John 4:18 when he said

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made…”

The Vicious Cycle of Law and Faith

So, we have a vicious cycle presented to us as believers saved by grace through faith and faith alone. We are out walking on the water with the Lord. Life is a real miracle. We cannot believe the view, the power, the love.

But after a while we wonder how long we can stay above water. We see some wave. See some sharks. So we embrace some law and decide that its wisdom to don a lifejacket – it’s the only reasonable thing to do, or it’s the least we can do, like paying ten percent, or dressing in Christian clothing, or obeying a sabbath. And with our lifejackets snuggly around us, we notice that some of our fear abate – we know that if we begin to sink we are ready. But what we don’t realize is that the implementation of the Law causes us to begin to fail to love. Because we see other people who reject wearing lifejackets to bolster their faith. And we judge them. And our children rebel against them. And the joy and peace of walking by faith fades. And sin revives.

We could also assume that something in Paul’s early Christian walk caused him to fear. And in that fear the commandment revived, and Paul the Apostle, says that in response, he, his identity in Christ, died.

The Law and Its Effects on Sin

At verse 12 Paul adds, just to make sure we all understand that it was SIN that did the evil, and he says:

12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Then he reiterates the whole premise in verse thirteen, asking:

13 Was then that which is good (the Law) made death unto me?

(Or in other words, “Was it the Law which is Good and Holy that caused this death in me)? And he writes: “God forbid!” (or may this not be said! And then he adds an explanation, saying) “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.

Perhaps the best way to understand this verse is to say that as a means to draw out, make manifest, expose, and reveal sin, the good, holy perfect law is in place to prove to all men and women how horribly wretched they really are.

This is how the Law is good to non-believers. Let me illustrate this by going back to Paul’s confession in verse seven.

Remember, he said:

“I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

Let's say that as a five year old boy Paul longs to own a red goat. His father does not approve of red goats but his next door neighbor has purchased a gorgeous red goat for his son five year old son, Igor. As a boy Paul longs to possess not only a red goat but now Igor’s red goat, but he does not realize this coveting is wrong. He actually feels justified in his lust. But then as a twelve year old, while still wanting that red goat, Paul learns the Law (and probably much earlier) and reads the Tenth Commandment that says, “thou shall not covet.” And the Rabbi teaches him what covet means.

And at this point we see . . .

“that sin, by the commandment, might become exceeding sinful.” The sin in the boy-Paul was present in his fallen flesh. But when the commandment of God was known to him at twelve years of age, that sin became exceedingly sinful.”

Expanding the Law

Now, we are not done. Remember that Jesus came and took the Law of the Jews and He expanded it even further and the result was the deep, dark nature of all men became even MORE sinful by His instructions. Remember, what He did with the Law in Matthew chapters 5-7?

Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:

Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already

The Choice Between Law and Faith

In his heart.

It has been said, but I say . . .

Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

The Constant Choice

What Jesus did there is he took all people and presented them with a constant choice – to attempt to achieve and accomplish love by and through law or to let Him do it through us by faith.

If by law, all of us will discover that our sin will only revive making us more sinful and therefore incapable of love, if by Him Alone, freedom, liberty, life and the capacity for true love.

We will stop here.

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