Why It Matters //

Sometimes we read this passage with an assumption that Paul is explaining his current condition, but he is talking about life under the law. The concept of being “good” without Salvation in Jesus, more specifically, which doesn’t work because of the power of sin over us. The audience that Paul is writing to include many Jewish people who understand the law. Paul gives context to life under the law in chapter seven, and in the next chapter, he compares that to life by the Spirit. 

What It's Talking About // 

The book of Romans was written by Paul the Apostle around 57 AD to a church in Rome with both gentiles and Jewish people. Paul begins by laying out the spiritual condition of all people, and that all are sinners in need of salvation. God has provided salvation to everyone, through his son Jesus Christ that we must receive through faith.

Romans 7:14-8:2 NIV

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 

15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 

16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 

17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 

18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 

19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 

20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 

22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 

23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 

24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 

25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Life Through the Spirit

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 

2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.