Living According to Law Principle

2007-02-19

Romans 7 indicates the dilemma of humankind of when one tries to live according to the principle of law. In this context, Paul is referring to the torah, but the principle of law is broader, so that we can apply this passage in the modern day. The law in this latter case means living according to any law that “enslaves, condemns, makes sin increase and demands duty and then confers blessing upon proper obedience” (Ambrosius 36). It is on this premise that I will make my argument: that this chapter could deal with both the unregenerate “old man” and the believer that attempts to live under the principle of law and not of grace. However, since the addressee was the Roman church, it is primarily for the believer since he is exhorting them to “yield [their] members servants to righteousness unto holiness” (Romans 6:19).

In Romans 7:1-6, Paul uses another illustration to demonstrate what we are positionally in Christ. Death means separation, and it terminates relationships, such as marital relations. If one’s spouse dies, one is free to marry another. The same is true for those who are now positionally in Christ: One is separated from sin, and the relationship thereof has been terminated.

In verse 7, as Paul has continued with his hypothetical question motif followed by the usual refrain, me genoito. The reader could potentially think that the Mosaic Law is sin. Paul disavows this possible conclusion by saying that the Law is a righteous standard that not only shows humankind that they are sinful, but because of their sinfulness, the Law draws out the passion to sin (Romans 7:5, 7-8). Anyone who tries to live up to the standard of the Law (or any standard to self-proclaim one’s own righteousness), one disregards that one is helpless before God unto the entire salvation process (i.e. justification and sanctification).

Romans 7:9 is a curious verse, which may seem to contradict the thesis of this document. One commentator says that Paul uses the first person in a general sense, and that he is speaking of humankind’s situation before fall in Genesis 1-2 (Cranfield I:351). This would be true, but the implication is that this also applies to himself in times past. When he was brought up in the ways of the Pharisees, and learned the depths of the Law, he became very zealous to uphold the Law in every way, but found that he could not when he had a confrontation with Christ. The verbs are in the past tense here.

Starting in verse 13, the verbs are now in the present tense. Paul cannot do what He wants to do. He cannot please God by following His law. Verses 17 and 20 both indicate that there is sin in his experience that will not allow him to do what the Law commands and refrain from doing what it condemns. This dilemma draws him to the Lord who can deliver Him. Jesus saved humankind from the penalty of sin in His death, and is saving humankind from the power of sin in His life (Romans 5:10, cf. Romans 6:5). Knowing and reflecting on the grace found in Jesus Christ (that one’s plight before God has been radically changed because Jesus provided that unmerited forgiveness of sins for all humankind), one will avoid this struggle of trying to obligate God to bestow upon them merit.

Bibliography

Ambrosius, Bob. Romans 6 Study Notes for the course Christian Life 2 at the New Tribes Mission Missionary Training Center, Spring 2007.

Cranfield, C. E. B. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, Volume 1: Introduction and Commentary on Romans I-VIII. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark, 1975.