Romans 7:7-23

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 7:14-25

Here is a description of the conflict between grace and corruption in the heart, between the law of God and the law of sin. And it is applicable two ways:?1. To the struggles that are in a convinced soul, but yet unregenerate, in the person of whom it is supposed, by some, that Paul speaks. 2. To the struggles that are in a renewed sanctified soul, but yet in a state of imperfection; as other apprehend. And a great controversy there is of which of these we are to understand the apostle here.... 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

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 7:14-25

7:14-25 We are aware that the law is spiritual; but I am a creature of flesh and blood under the power of sin. I cannot understand what I do. What I want to do, that I do not do; but what I hate, that I do. If what I do not want to do I in point of fact do, then I acquiesce in the law, and I agree that it is fair. As it is, it is no longer I who do it, but the sin which resides in me--I mean in my human nature. To will the fair thing is within my range, but not to do it. For I do not do the... read more

John Gill

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

What shall we say then? is the law sin ?.... The apostle having said, that "the motions of sins were by the law", Romans 7:5 , meets with an objection, or rather an ill natured cavil, "is the law sin?" if the motions sins are by it, then it instigates and prompts men to sin; it cherishes it in them; it leads them and impels them to the commission of it, and therefore must be the cause of sin; and if the cause of sin, then it must be sin, or sinful itself: "what shall we say then?" how... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:8

But sin taking occasion by the commandment ,.... By "the commandment" is meant, either the whole moral law, or that particular commandment, "thou shalt not covet", Exodus 20:17 , which, the Jews say, comprehends all; "God, (say they F6 Abkath Rochel, l. 1. par. 1. p. 3. Ed. Huls. ,) caused them (the Israelites) to hear the ten words, which he concluded with this word, "thou shalt not covet"; שכולם תלוים בו , "for all of them depend on that": and to intimate, that whoever... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:9

For I was alive without the law once ,.... The apostle says this, not in the person of Adam, as some have thought; who lived indeed, in a state of innocence, a perfectly holy and righteous life, but not without the law, which was the rule of his actions, and the measure of his obedience; he had the law of nature written upon his heart, and a positive law respecting the forbidden fruit given him, as a trial of his obedience; and though when he transgressed he became mortal, yet sin could not... 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

Group of Brands