If, then, I do what I determine not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. Truth to Learn Our battle against our sin nature is evidence that we are saved. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “determine” is thelō, which is often translated as...
Romans 7:15 – That Thing You Do
For the thing I do, I do not understand. For what I determine to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. Truth to Learn Paul battled his sin nature just as you and I do. Behind the Words The words “the thing I...
Romans 7:14 – Flesh Versus Spirit
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, having been sold by sin. Truth to Learn There is a constant battle between our flesh and our spirit. Behind the Words The word translated “spiritual” is the Greek word pneumatikos, which means “that which pertains to...
Romans 7:13 – Sinfulness Revealed
Did that which is good, then, become death to me? No way! But sin, that it might appear sinful, was producing death in me through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful. Truth to Learn The Law reveals our sinfulness to the fullest...
Romans 7:12 – The Holy Law
So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. Truth to Learn The Law and its commandments are holy, but we are sinful. Behind the Words “Law” is translated from the Greek word nomos, which we saw in the last chapter is the...
Romans 7:11 – Deception and Confession
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Truth to Learn Sin is deceptive and causes separation between us and God. Behind the Words “Taking occasion” is translated from aphormē. This is a compound word made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away...
Romans 7:10 – The Deadly Law
And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. Truth to Learn The Law is supposed to bring life, but it only brings death. Behind the Words The word translated “found” is heuriskō, which means “to find, by having searched or without searching. Metaphorically, it...
Romans 7:9 – Understanding Produces Guilt
I was previously alive without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. Truth to Learn Without an understanding of what sin is, we feel innocent of it, but when we understand what it is, we realize our guilt. Behind the Words The word translated...
Romans 7:8 – A Sinful Product
But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all covetousness. For apart from the law sin is dead. Truth to Learn The Law does not prevent sin, it produces sin. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “taking opportunity” is aphormē, which means “an occasion, an opportunity,...
Romans 7:7 – The Revealing Law
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! I did not know sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness except the law said, "You shall not covet." Truth to Learn The Law reveals our sinfulness to us. Behind the Words The...
Romans 7:6 – Free to Serve
But now we have been set free from the law, having died to that in which we were held, so that we should serve in the newness of Spirit and not in the oldness of letter. Truth to Learn We are free to serve God through the power of the...
Romans 7:5 – Fruit of Death
For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. Truth to Learn Trying to live by a set of laws or rules produces spiritual death, not life. Behind the Words The word translated...
Romans 7:4 – Free to Bear Fruit
So, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may belong to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, so that we might bear fruit to God. Truth to Learn We have been set free so that we can bear...
Romans 7:3 – Free to Remarry
So then if, while the husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband should die, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. Truth to Learn We are no longer bound to...
Romans 7:2 – To Obey or Not
For the married woman is bound by the law to the husband while he lives. But if the husband should die, she is set free from the law of the husband. Truth to Learn Salvation releases us from the requirements of the Law. Behind the Words The words “married...
Romans 7:1 – Our Savior, Our Husband
Or do you not know, brothers (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has Lordship over a man as long as he lives? Truth to Learn Christians are in a marriage relationship with Jesus Christ. Behind the Words The word translated “brothers” is adelphos,...
Romans 6:23 – Free Eternal Life
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Truth to Learn God offers all of us a free gift of inestimable value. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “wages” is opsonia, which is the plural form...
Romans 6:22 – Set-apart to Him
But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. Truth to Learn God has set Christians apart and has given them eternal life. Behind the Words Throughout this chapter Paul has been making...
Romans 6:21 – Grace for Shame
Therefore, what fruit did you have in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. Truth to Learn Our sinfulness separates us from fellowship with God. Behind the Words The word translated “fruit” is karpos, which can refer to the fruit...