Commentaries:
<< Romans 7:6 Romans 7:8 >>
Romans 7:7
Law shows us our duties. In reference to God, it awakens us to a consciousness of sin. Through law, we become aware of the contrast between what we ought to do and what we actually do. Our civil legislators enact laws, and thus they tell us what is ethical, right, and good in a particular, secular area of life.
Instead of calling a transgression of the state's laws "sin," we call it "crime." Many crimes are also sin. The difference between secular law and God's law is that God's law relates directly to the divine. It reveals our duties to Him.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The First Commandment (1997)Related Topics: Consciousness of Sin | Crime | God's Law | Law | Law Illuminating Sin | Law, Purpose of | Secular Law | Sin, Consciousness ofOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing Romans 7:7:
<< Romans 7:6 Romans 7:8 >>
Join 137,823+ readers
A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning
Consistent Bible study is hard to start.
The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.
Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.
What Does Romans 7:7 Mean?
Law shows us our duties, awakening a consciousness of sin by revealing the contrast between what we ought to do and what we actually do. Unlike secular law, which defines crime, God's law relates directly to the divine, revealing our duties to Him. The law defines what sin is, identifying attitudes and behaviors contrary to God's will and way of life. It is holy, just, and good, serving a good purpose by providing a standard. Without the law telling us what sin is, we would not have known it. Since the law does something good for us, we should not want to get rid of it. Sin is what is evil and produces death, not the law, for the wages of sin is death.