7:1 those who know the law Refers primarily to Jewish Christians, but also might include Gentile Christians who knew the law of Moses from the synagogue.

The Law in Paul’s Letters

for as long a time as he lives Here Paul introduces the key concept to his argument in vv. 1–6: Only death can terminate the bond between a person and the law. In vv. 2–3, Paul illustrates this principle using a marriage analogy.

7:2 the law of the husband Refers to the law that binds a wife to her husband in marriage.

7:3 she will be called an adulteress Refers to a general, hypothetical truth, not an actual future event.

7:4 death with respect to the law Those who have participated in the death of Christ experience freedom from the law (6:4).

body of Christ Refers to Christ’s physical, crucified body.

we may bear fruit for God Refers to good deeds that come from union with Christ (6:22).

7:5 in the flesh Refers to existence apart from Christ, under the control of sin. Paul uses the Greek word sarx, often translated “flesh,” to refer to mortal human existence; Paul often contrasts it with the spiritual freedom found in Christ.

through the law The law identified sin and established boundaries for moral conduct—which ironically, because of people’s propensity to sin, resulted in more transgressions.

The Law in Paul’s Letters

members The Greek text refers to a person’s natural faculties.

bear fruit for death Refers to sinful deeds that result in death.

7:6 newness of the Spirit The Holy Spirit empowers the believer to serve God without the boundaries of the law.

the letter Refers to the law of Moses.

7:7 I would not have known There are several interpretations of Paul’s first-person language in vv. 7–25. Many throughout church history have read the passage straightforwardly as an autobiographical account of Paul’s struggles with the law and sin, while others think the passage refers to Adam, Israel, or the deep human struggle with sinful nature. Additionally, Paul might be describing the struggle of either a non-believer attempting to keep the law or a believer who is freed from the law but continues to contend with sin. See vv. 13–25 and note.

except through the law The law sets moral boundaries that otherwise would be unknown.

covet The word epithymeō refers to desiring another person’s possessions in a sinful manner (see Exod 20:17).

7:8 the commandment Refers to the commandment, “Do not covet” (Exod 20:17), and by extension also represents the entire Mosaic law.

7:9 I was alive once, apart from the law Paul describes a figurative existence in which a person is unaware of sin and undisturbed by condemnation from the law. This might refer to Paul’s own experience before becoming a Christian or to the experience of Israel before receiving the law at Mount Sinai.

sin sprang to life In Romans 5:13, Paul established that sin existed apart from the law. However, sin gained power through the commandments and took advantage of people’s weakness under the era of the first Adam (5:14).

7:10 I died Once the law identified sin, the person recognized sin—as well as the guilt and condemnation that it brings. Since the law did not empower obedience, sin operated without opposition.

lead to life Paul does not blame the law for death; it was intended to bring life by revealing God’s will for humanity. However, sin took advantage of human weakness through the law.

7:11 deceived Sin turned God’s commandments, which should have been an occasion for good, into an occasion for death.

7:12 law is holy Paul praises the law as a good and holy gift from God, since it requires what is right from humanity. He rejects any argument that blames the law as the cause of human sin.

The Law in Paul’s Letters

7:13 sin might become sinful The commandment exposed sin as rebellion against God.

7:14 spiritual The Greek word used here, pneumatikos, is probably meant to indicate that the law came from God and reveals His character.

fleshly The Greek word used here, sarkinos, refers to the weakness that all people share: They are susceptible to sin and death.

sold into slavery to sin See note on 6:16.

7:15 what I hate, this I do Describes an internal conflict. See note on vv. 13–25.

7:16 I agree with the law that it is good While the inability to do what is righteous and holy highlights humanity’s fallen nature, it also demonstrates the goodness of the law in contrast to the power of sin.

7:17 no longer the one doing it Reflects sin’s power to enslave and control people (v. 14).

sin that lives in me Paul does not deny personal responsibility for sinful behavior, but he recognizes that sin is an indwelling power. In ch. 8, Paul declares that believers are filled with God’s Spirit—the antidote for sin.

7:18 good does not live in me The weakness of people prohibits them from doing what is good.

the willing is present in me People may have the desire or wish to do what is good, but they lack the empowerment without God.

7:20 sin that lives in me See note on v. 17.

7:21 principle The Greek word used here, nomos, could refer to the fundamental pattern of sin’s oppressive influence. Normally, this word refers to the Jewish law.

7:22 the law of God Refers to the law of Moses.

The Law in Paul’s Letters

in my inner person The phrase kata ton esō anthrōpon may refer to the mind since “know” is repeatedly used in this passage (vv. 14, 18). If the apostle describes his own struggle against sin, the phrase may describe the new nature of the Christian.

7:23 another law Compare v. 21.

members See note on v. 5.

7:24 body of death Refers to the deathly existence in the body.

7:25 Thanks be to God Paul expresses gratitude for the provision of Jesus Christ. Through his death and resurrection, He gave people an alternative to the ineffective law, empowered people to overcome sin (as He did), and provided them with a relationship with God that sin previously prevented. Compare 1:23.