Romans 7:10 - The commandment that was intended to bring life

 

•       Romans 7: 10 - I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 

 

•        Three Questions for Us to Consider Concerning This Verse:

–       How is it that the commandment (i.e., the Mosaic Law) was intended to bring life?

 

–       Intended by whom?

 

–       How does this idea square with Paul’s statement in Romans 5:20?

•         Romans 5:20 - The law was added so that the trespass might increase.

 

•        Indeed, the Law from the time it was given, promised life to all who would keep it perfectly:

–      Leviticus 18:5 - Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.

–      Romans 10:5 - Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."

 

•        This is, no doubt, what Paul had in mind in Romans 2:7

–      Romans 2:7 - To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life.

 

•        The problem is that men, because of spiritual death in Adam, are controlled by the sinful nature and therefore cannot keep the Law.

 

•        Consequently the Law, rather than resulting in life, brings condemnation and death. This is Paul’s very point in this passage:

–      Romans 7: 10 - I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 

 

•        Who intended for the Law to give life?

 

•        God intended, and in fact, does give us life because of perfect obedience to the Law.

 

•        That obedience did not, indeed, cannot be accomplished through us personally. Rather, it was accomplished through Jesus Christ acting on our behalf, so that we might be credited with His perfect righteousness.

 

•        Paul makes this very point in the opening verses of the next chapter:

–      Romans 8:1-4 - Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit

 

•        How does Romans 7:10

–      Romans 7: 10 - I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 

•        Square with Paul’s statement in Romans 5:20?

–      Romans 5:20 - The law was added so that the trespass might increase.

 

•        The Jews misunderstood the real purpose of the Law, thinking that they would achieve right standing with God through personal obedience to the Law.

 

•        In reality, the Law was given to increase sin, thus showing that salvation can only come through the promised Messiah, who would keep the Law perfectly on behalf of His people.