Romans 7:6 - Released from the Law

 

•        In Romans 7:1-6 (in fact throughout the entire letter), Paul refers several times to the believer’s former relationship to “the Law”.

–      Romans 7:4 - So, my brothers, you also died to the Law

–      Romans 7:5b - The sinful passions aroused by the Law were at work

–      Romans 7:6b - We have been released from the Law

•        Clearly in each of these cases, the law in view is the Mosaic Law, given to the Jews at Sinai.

•        We might wonder what application (if any) these statements have to Gentiles, who were not under the Mosaic Law.

•        While Paul does not address this question specifically, we do know:

–       In principle, some of what is said concerning the Jews would be true in principle of the Gentiles as well.

–       For example, the Jews, in being released from the Law of Moses, were released from having to obey the Law in order to be saved. The Gentiles, who were under condemnation of the  Law on the heart are likewise freed from having to keep the Law on the heart perfectly (which they could not do).

–       On the other hand, the burden of Law experienced by the Jews far exceeded anything that a Gentile, who did not have the Mosaic Law, ever experienced. Therefore some of what is said applies uniquely to the Jews.