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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 7:7-13

To what he had said in the former paragraph, the apostle here raises an objection, which he answers very fully: What shall we say then? Isa. the law sin? When he had been speaking of the dominion of sin, he had said so much of the influence of the law as a covenant upon that dominion that it might easily be misinterpreted as a reflection upon the law, to prevent which he shows from his own experience the great excellency and usefulness of the law, not as a covenant, but as a guide; and further... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 7:7-13

7:7-13 What then are we to infer? That the law is sin? God forbid! So far from that, I would never have known what sin meant except through the law. I would never have known desire if the law had not said, "You must not covet." For, when sin had, through the commandment, obtained a foothold, it produced every kind of desire in me; for, without law, sin is lifeless. Once I lived without the law; but, when the commandment came, sin sprang to life, and in that moment I knew that I had incurred... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:10

And the commandment which was ordained to life ,.... The law which promised a continuance of an immortal life to Adam, in case of perfect obedience to it; and which was appointed to the Israelites, that by the observation of it they might live in the land of Canaan, and in the quiet and full possession of their privileges and enjoyments; but was never ordained to eternal life, or that men should obtain that by their obedience to it; since eternal life is the free gift of God, without respect... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:11

For sin taking occasion by the commandment ,.... As in Romans 7:8 , deceived me ; either by promising pleasure or impunity: the same effect is ascribed by the Jews to the evil imagination or corruption of nature, which they say is called an enticer, שמפתה אדם , "that deceives man" F7 Tzeror Hammor, fol. 141. 3. & 150. 1. : and by it slew me ; mortally wounded me: not the law, but sin by the law, deceived and slew him; so that as before, the law is cleared from being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:12

Therefore the law is holy ,.... This is a conclusion or inference drawn from the preceding discourse, in commendation of the law; that standing clear of any charge or imputation of sin, as being the cause of it. This epithet the apostle gives to the law is what the Jews frequently give it; worthy are the Israelites, say they F8 Zohar in Gen. fol. 48. 4. , "to whom is given אורייתא קדישא "the holy law"; in which they study day and night.' By "the law" is meant the whole body of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:13

Was then that which is good, made death unto me ?.... An objection is started upon the last epithet in commendation of the law; and it is as if the objector should say, if the law is good, as you say, how comes it to pass that it is made death, or is the cause of death to you? can that be good, which is deadly, or the cause of death? or can that be the cause of death which is good? This objection taken out of the mouth of another person proceeds upon a mistake of the apostle's meaning; for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:10

And the commandment - Meaning the law in general, which was ordained to life; the rule of righteousness teaching those statutes which if a man do he shall live in them, Leviticus 18:5 , I found, by transgressing it, to be unto death; for it only presented the duty and laid down the penalty, without affording any strength to resist sin or subdue evil propensities. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:11

Sin, taking occasion - Sin, deriving strength from the law, threatening death to the transgressor, (see Clarke's note on Romans 7:8 ;), deceived me, drew me aside to disobedience, promising me gratification honor, independence, etc., as it promised to Eve; for to her history the apostle evidently alludes, and uses the very same expression, deceived me, εξηπατησε με· See the preceding note; and see the Septuagint, Genesis 3:13. And by it slew me - Subjected me to that death which the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:12

Wherefore the law is holy - As if he had said, to soothe his countrymen, to whom he had been showing the absolute insufficiency of the law either to justify or save from sin: I do not intimate that there is any thing improper or imperfect in the law as a rule of life: it prescribes what is holy, just, and good; for it comes from a holy, just, and good God. The Law, which is to regulate the whole of the outward conduct, is holy; and the Commandment, Thou shalt not covet, which is to regulate... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:13

Was then that which is good made death unto me? - This is the question of the Jew, with whom the apostle appears to be disputing. "Do you allow the law to be good, and yet say it is the cause of our death?" The apostle answers: - God forbid! μη γενοιτο , by no means: it is not the law that is the cause of your death, but sin; it was sin which subjected us to death by the law, justly threatening sin with death: which law was given that sin might appear - might be set forth in its own... read more

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