Paul finds no fault with the law in itself (Rom 7:12, 14), but he discovers that the law mocked and taunted by calling him to an impossibly high level, yet offering him no assistance or dynamic for attainment. In this way, what God intended as good is turned into a death-dealing instrument (Rom 7:13)—and the reason? We may refer to Rom 8:3a: the law is weakened by human inadequacy, “the flesh.” Second, Paul goes on to teach that the law had an honorable purpose, but it was only temporary. The illustration