Romans 7:5

when we were in the flesh For illustration of this important phrase see especially Romans 8:8-9. St Paul here assumes of Christians (1) that they were once "in the flesh;" (2) that they are so no longer. To be "in the flesh" thus describes the man's condition previous to the special gift of the Holy Spirit connected with justification; (see ch. Romans 5:5, and Galatians 4:6;) the condition in which the dominant element was the very antithesis of the Spirit the "carnal mind." (See on Romans 8:6-7.) Such passages as Galatians 2:20 shew that "in the flesh" may, with a proper context, mean no more than "in the body," "in the surroundings of material, earthly, life." But when, as here, the context points to a contrast between "the flesh" and betterthings, it is plain that the essential idea of "the flesh" is that it is the special vehicle of sin.

It is most needful to observe that, according to St Paul, the dominance of this element is the invariablecondition of man before special grace.

motions Lit. passions, as marg. E. V.; instinctsof evil.

by the law i.e., to which the law, as calling out the rebellion of the carnal will, gave special direction and energy. See below on Romans 7:7-8.

did work were active. The Gr. verb is the original of "energize."

in our members i.e. in our body, viewed in the variety of its parts and powers. See on Romans 6:13.

unto death The doleful parallel to "unto God" in Romans 7:4. Death was, as it were, the Power to which the results of the unregenerate life were dedicated. He "who had the power of death" (Hebrews 2:14) was the usurping god.