CHAPTER SEVEN OUTLINE

 

Outline Of The Chapter:

I. How we now relate to the law (7:1-6)

A. An illustration from marriage (1-3)

[1]. The point: the law is for the living, not the dead
[2]. The factors: a woman, first and second husbands; the law
[3]. The argument:

(a). The law demands a woman remain with her husband, or else she is an adulteress
(b). When her husband dies, she is then free from the law of her husband

B. The analogy to life (4-6)

[1]. You (the woman) are free from the law

(a). "The Body of Christ" is Christ made sin for us
(b). When he died, the woman was discharged from the responsibility of the law

[2]. You (the woman) are free to marry another

(a). Christ raised from the dead
(b). So we can bare fruit unto God

[3]. The contrasting conditions

(a). With husband Number one (the flesh) fruit unto death
(b). With husband Number two (the Spirit), fruit unto God

II. How the law revives sin and kills us - explained (7-13)

A. Paul's experience before a Christian (7-11)

[1]. Law helped him discover his sin
[2]. When confronted with law, sin was revived
[3]. At one point in his life sin was not imputed

(a). Unaccountable, he was not under the law
(b). The knowledge of good and evil came through the commandment
(c). What was once misunderstood, emotions and feelings, was now sin, it slew him, spiritually. (Eph. 2:1)

B. Is the law, then, evil?

[1]. No, it is sin that brings death
[2]. The law reveals sin as exceeding sinful

III. Paul's observations of the "normal Christian life" (7:14-8:1)

A. Paul's personal testimony

[1]. Carnal - sold under sin (14)
[2]. Paul finds two problems (16-23)

(a). Problem stated (15)
(b). "If then I do that which I would not,"

(1). Something in me agrees that the law is good
(2). But something else (sin) makes me do evil
(3). My will is right, but sin is stronger and overwhelms me(4). I conclude that it is sin that dwells in me

(c). "For the good that I would, I do not"

(1). When I want to do good, evil is present
(2). The law of sin brings me into captivity in this flesh, I'm a prisoner
(3). Self-condemnation and cry for deliverance

[3]. The answer (7:25-8:1)

(a). The law cannot help, but Christ can and will
(b). Despite my struggle I am not condemned as long as I walk after the spirit.

 

 

Chapter seven of Romans discusses a most important topic, will I ever have any sin problems as a Christian? Theoretically, after being saved a man does not have to sin, for if we live Godly, in the strength of Christ (I can do all things through Christ), we do not have to sin; if we then did sin, it would not be our fault! Of course, even if you never did sin, this does not mean that you wouldn't have any problems avoiding it.

There are those who claim a "second blessing" or a state of sanctification where a Christian is beyond and above the reaches of sin. Although it is theoretically possible to come to a place where you live every moment of the day "in the Spirit", there is no "second blessing" mentioned in the scriptures. As one of the late 19th Century evangelists said, "I feel sorry for anyone who has had only two blessings."

Now the practical teaching on this (and doctrinal) according to Romans Chapter Seven is that when you get saved the battle just begins. Many immature Christians think that because of their actions and thoughts, they could not have been saved. In counseling with Christians, I have run into this problem very often. Probably the greatest Christian that ever lived, the apostle Paul, fought a daily battle with sin.

Although this "in the Spirit" perfect Christian living is possible in Christ, I have never met him. Paul himself had some problems along this line as we can see in his statement in verse 15. What lies before us in Chapter Seven is a discussion of the very real battle we as Christians must fight daily against sin.

Verse:

7:1-2 Paul uses marriage as an example of the relationship between Christ and the believer. Ephesians five follows a similar line of thought.

• The law has no more claim over a man when he is dead. A spouse is released from the marriage contract when the mate dies.
• (1 Corinthians 7:10,11,15,16)

7:4 "Dead to the law" - (Rom. 6:2; Gal. 5:18; Rom. 3:28; Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14; Rom. 6:14; Lk. 16:16)

"The body of Christ" - (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 5:30; Col. 1:24; Eph. 4:4). This is the only scripture (7:4) that specifically says "body of Christ" in the whole New Testament. (See Rom. 8:10)

"Fruit unto God'' - (Gal. 5:22,23; Jn. 15:2,8,16)

7:5 "we were in the flesh" - (Rom. 8:9 see notes)

"The motions of sins" - Affections and lusts. (Gal. 5:24)

"Fruit unto death" - (Rom. 6:21)

7:6 "Delivered from the law" - (Rom. 6:14; 7:4)

"In newness of spirit, and not in oldness of the letter" (Rom. 2:27-29 see notes)

7:7 The law is a mirror, it can only show you the dirt on your face, it can't wipe it off. (Gal. 3:24) says the law was a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.

"I had not known sin...." - (Rom. 3:19,20; 4:15; Gal. 2:16; Rom. 5:13)

"Thou shalt not covet" - (Ex. 20:17), the Tenth Commandment

7:8 With no laws there can be no violations .... anarchy

"Concupiscence" - sexual lust; morbid carnal passion

7:9 (1 Cor. 15:56) "...the strength of sin is the law..." (Rom. 4:15; 5:13). This passage has been discussed earlier under these two passages.

"For I (Paul) was alive (spiritually to God) without the law (outside of the law, unaccountable as a child) once; but when the commandment came (he understood the difference between good and evil, he became accountable), sin revived (lived) and I died." (Died in trespasses and sins, out of relationship and fellowship with God, (Eph. 2:1). See comments on (7:11).

7:10 "Ordained to life" - (Rom. 10:5; 2 Cor. 3:7-11)

7:11 "Slew me" - (Eph. 2:1,5; Jn. 6:63; Col. 2:13)

7:12 (2 Cor. 3:7-11)

7:13 Here in verse (13) we find another one of the purposes of the law "...that sin ... might become exceeding sinful." (See also Gal. 3:24; Rom. 3:19,20; 5:20)

The law is not completely done away with; it is only done away with for the person who trusts Christ as his or her own personal Saviour.

7:14 Spiritual is the opposite of carnal, (1 Cor. 3:1)

7:15 The following verses get to the heart of the Christian's daily battle with sin. Probably the greatest Christian that ever lived admits he is yet imperfect.

7:16 No man ever lives up to his own standards, much less God's.

The Christian leads three lives:

[1]. The flesh is dead to the law by the body of Christ (7:4). From God's point of view your flesh is dead and buried.
[2]. The old man dies a slow agonizing death. (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20; 5:24)
[3]. The new man is risen with Christ, (Rom. 6:4). The new man is Christ in you. The old man is the "old" you in you.

We are:

[1]. Dead to the Mosaic law.
[2]. Plagued by the Law of Sin and Death (Rom. 7:23).
[3]. And can have victory and serve God, living in and following after the Spirit (Rom. 7:25).

These three correspond with the three above.

Here we see the true schizophrenic. Considering the flesh is dead, the battle goes on between Dr. Jekyl (the new man) and Mr. Hyde (the old man).

7:17 "But sin that dwelleth in me" - The old man and his ways. In this verse "no more I", the "I" is the real Paul, the new man.

7:18 (Matt. 26:41) "...the spirit is willing... the flesh is weak."

7:20 (Rom. 7:17; Col. 2:11-13)

7:21 "A law" - specifically when I would do good, evil is present... that's a law!

7:22 (Eph. 3:16; 2 Cor. 4:16; 1 Pet. 3:4). It is not possible to decrease until God is increased in us. Why? ... evil is present with me.

7:23 (1 Pet. 2:11; Rom. 12:1; Gal. 5:16,17. The Christian is dead to the Mosaic law. The battle ensues between the law of sin and death and the law of my mind or the law of God (verse 25).

7:24 (Rom. 6:6; 8:23; 2 Cor. 12:1 and following). (1 Cor. 15)

7:25 Paul's conclusion ... (Romans 6:11,16)