Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 7
In Romans chapter 7, Paul is not warning his readers against God’s holy law. Rather, he warns them against certain wrong attitudes towards God’s law.
Christians often find it hard to trust in God in every circumstance (compare Romans 4:19-21). It seems easier for them to accept even a difficult set of rules for their lives. Then they depend on their own efforts, and they do not desire the Holy Spirit to guide them. So Paul must show why this idea is wrong. Then, in chapter 8, he can teach how Christians should live.
Many people have wrong attitudes towards God’s law. However, God’s law is not wrong. Paul emphasises this fact very strongly. God’s law is holy; its commands are holy, right and good.
God’s law is not like the laws that rulers and governments on earth make. Sometimes their laws are good, and sometimes bad. Often, they make laws simply to please those people whose support they need. Sometimes they try to make a good law, but that law fails to achieve its purpose.
God’s law is perfect (Psalm 19:7), because it expresses God’s perfect character (Exodus 34:6-7). It does not change (Matthew 5:18) because God does not change (James 1:17). God does not need the support of any person; his law deals with all people in the manner that is right and proper (2:11). Like all God’s words, his law will achieve its purpose (Isaiah 55:11).
It is very foolish if we try to argue against God (Psalm 2:1-6). We should come to him humbly, and ask him to forgive us our evil deeds (Isaiah 55:6-7). He desires to forgive us; Christ died to suffer the punishment for our evil deeds (5:8). However, if we will not allow him to forgive us, the judgement of his law will be against us (2:6-10).
Next part: The wise and foolish ways to live (Romans 7:13)
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© 2022, Keith Simons.