Few chapters in the bible have been the subject of more decidedly different interpretations than this. And after all that has been written on it by the learned, it is still made a matter of discussion, whether the apostle has reference in the main scope of the chapter to his own experience before he... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOW YE NOT - This is an appeal to their own observation respecting the relation between husband and wife. The illustration Romans 7:2 is designed simply to show that as when a man dies, and the connection between him and his wife is dissolved, his Law ceases to be binding on her, so also a separati... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE WOMAN - This verse is a specific illustration of the general principle in Romans 7:1, that death dissolves those connections and relations which make law binding in life. It is a simple illustration; and if this had been kept in mind, it would have saved much of the perplexity which has been... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEN IF ... - compare Matthew 5:32. SHE SHALL BE CALLED - She will be. The word used here χρηματίσει chrēmatisei is often used to denote being called by an oracle or by divine revelation. But it is here employed in the simple sense of being commonly called, or of being so regarded.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE - This verse contains an application of the illustration in the two preceding. The idea there is, that death dissolves a connection from which obligation resulted. This is the single point of the illustration, and consequently there is no need of inquiring whether by the wife the apostle m... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHEN ... - The illustration in this verse and the following is designed to show more at length the effect of the Law, whenever and whereever applied; whether in a state of nature or of grace. It was always the same. It was the occasion of agitation and conflict in a man’s own mind. This was true... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT NOW - Under the gospel. This verse states the consequences of the gospel, in distinction from the effects of the Law. The way in which this is accomplished, the apostle illustrates more at length in Romans 8 with which this verse is properly connected. The remainder of Romans 7 is occupied in il... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SHALL WE SAY THEN? - The objection which is here urged is one that would very naturally rise, and which we may suppose would be urged with no slight indignation. The Jew would ask, “Are we then to suppose that the holy Law of God is not only insufficient to sanctify us, but that it is the mere... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT SIN - To illustrate the effect of the Law on the mind, the apostle in this verse depicts its influence in exciting to evil desires and purposes. Perhaps no where has he evinced more consummate knowledge of the human heart than here. He brings an illustration that might have escaped most persons,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I - There seems to be no doubt that the apostle here refers to his own past experience. Yet in this he speaks the sentiment of all who are unconverted, and who are depending on their own righteousness. WAS ALIVE - This is opposed to what he immediately adds respecting another state, in which he... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE COMMANDMENT - The Law to which he had referred before. WHICH WAS ORDAINED TO LIFE - Which was intended to produce life, or happiness. Life here stands opposed to death, and means felicity, peace, eternal bliss; Note, John 3:36. When the apostle says that it was ordained to life, he probably... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SIN - This verse is a repetition, with a little variation of the sentiment in Romans 7:8. DECEIVED ME - The word used here properly means to lead or seduce from the right way; and then to deceive, solicit to sin, cause to err from the way of virtue, Romans 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthian... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE - So that. The conclusion to which we come is, that the Law is not to be blamed, though these are its effects under existing circumstances. The source of all this is not the Law, but the corrupt nature of man. The Law is good; and yet the position of the apostle is true, that it is not ada... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS THEN THAT WHICH IS GOOD ... - This is another objection which the apostle proceeds to answer. The objection is this, “Can it be possible that what is admitted to be good and pure, should be changed into evil? Can what tends to life, be made death to a man?” In answer to this, the apostle repeats... [ Continue Reading ]
The remainder of this chapter has been the subject of no small degree of controversy. The question has been whether it describes the state of Paul before his conversion, or afterward. It is not the purpose of these notes to enter into controversy, or into extended discussion. But after all the atten... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THAT WHICH I DO - That is, the evil which I do, the sin of which I am conscious, and which troubles me. I ALLOW NOT - I do not approve; I do not wish it; the prevailing bent of my inclinations and purposes is against it. Greek, “I know not;” see the margin. The word “know,” however, is sometime... [ Continue Reading ]
I CONSENT UNTO THE LAW - The very struggle with evil shows that it is not loved, or approved, but that the Law which condemns it is really loved. Christians may here find a test of their piety. The fact of struggling against evil, the desire to be free from it, and to overcome it, the anxiety and gr... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS NO MORE I THAT DO IT - This is evidently figurative language, for it is really the man that sins when evil is committed. But the apostle makes a distinction between sin and what he intends by the pronoun “I”. By the former he evidently means his corrupt nature. By the latter he refers to his r... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I KNOW - This is designed as an illustration of what he had just said, that sin dwelt in him. THAT IS, IN MY FLESH - In my unrenewed nature; in my propensities and inclinations before conversion. Does not this qualifying expression show that in this discussion he was speaking of himself as a re... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE GOOD ... - This is substantially a repetition of what is said in Romans 7:15. The repetition shows how full the mind of the apostle was of the subject; and how much inclined he was to dwell upon it, and to place it in every variety of form. It is not uncommon for Paul thus to express his int... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IF I DO ... - This verse is also a repetition of what was said in Romans 7:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
I FIND THEN A LAW - There is a law whose operation I experience whenever I attempt to do good. There have been various opinions about the meaning of the word “law” in this place. It is evident that it is used here in a sense somewhat unusual. But it retains the notion which commonly attaches to it o... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I DELIGHT - The word used here Συνήδομαι Sunēdomai, occurs no where else in the New Testament. It properly means to rejoice with anyone; and expresses not only approbation of the understanding, as the expression, “I consent unto the law,” in Romans 7:16, but more than that it denotes sensible... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I SEE ANOTHER LAW - Note, Romans 7:21. IN MY MEMBERS - In my body; in my flesh; in my corrupt and sinful propensities; Note, Romans 6:13; compare 1 Corinthians 6:15; Colossians 3:5. The body is composed of many members; and as the flesh is regarded as the source of sin Romans 7:18, the law of s... [ Continue Reading ]
O WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM! - The feeling implied by this lamentation is the result of this painful conflict; and this frequent subjection to sinful propensities. The effect of this conflict is, (1) To produce pain and distress. It is often an agonizing struggle between good and evil; a struggle whic... [ Continue Reading ]
I THANK GOD - That is, I thank God for effecting a deliverance to which I am myself incompetent. There is a way of rescue, and I trace it altogether to his mercy in the Lord Jesus Christ. What conscience could not do, what the Law could not do, what unaided human strength could not do, has been acco... [ Continue Reading ]