Romans 7:1-12
I knew when we started Romans that it would be a difficult book. But these shorter readings have certainly helped my (our?) understanding of some of these confusing passages. Still, however, we have a section today that makes me wonder: What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. (vv. 7-8) It’s not hard to simply read these words and understand what Paul is saying. The only confusion for our simple understanding is between “commandment” and “Law”, and I presume Paul is implying that “commandment” is one of the specific mentions in the Law and that “Law” is the comprehensive listing of all that Moses received from God at Mt. Sinai. At least that’s how I read it.
However, it’s confusing to me. Is Paul saying that sin did not exist before the Law? I recall already asking a similar question, thinking of Sodom and Gomorrah, Judah and Tamar, Joseph’s brothers, the Flood, etc. Paul seems to be saying the he did not covet until he learned through the Law that coveting was wrong. But surely he had consciousness before he knew about the Law, that there was some covetousness that was wrong. Maybe his introduction to and knowledge of the Law amplified what was already there? I think I understand his basic point, that the Law pointed us to sin and our need for a Savior: The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. (v. 10) And it’s not hard for me to read through the Ten Commandments and know that I am a sinner who needs His grace to be saved, especially as Jesus expounded on a few of these Commandments in His famous “You have heard it said…” teaching at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21, ff.). Still, Paul is confusing…!
Slava Bohu!