7:7 What shall we
conclude from the fact that our sinful passions were aroused by the Mosaic
Law?
Is
the Law itself evil? No way!
On
the Contrary, I would not have known what was sinful except by means of the
Law. For I would not have known that merely desiring that which is evil or that
which belongs to someone else was sinful if the Law had not said, Do not
covet. (Exodus 20:17,
Deuteronomy 5:21)
7:8 Taking advantage of the opportunity provided
by the commandment, Do not covet, my sinful nature stirred up every kind of
covetous desire in me. Apart from knowledge of the Law, sin goes unnoticed.
7:9 I was secure in my own self-righteousness (cf. Philippians 3:4-6), but when
I became aware of the spiritual demands of this commandment and my own
inability to keep it, I suddenly became conscious of my own spiritual helplessness and
guilt.
7:10 I now found that the Law which promised to
bring spiritual life to all who obeyed it (cf.
Leviticus 18:5, Romans 10:5) actually brought death
to me because I was unable to obey it.