The study of the Book of Romans chapter 7 (Part 2)

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.

Today, we continue the study of the Book of Romans chapter 7.

7:23 Law of my mind: Paul seems to equate this with "law of God after the inward man" (verse 22). This no doubt connects with the new dynamic for service spoken of in verse 6 as the "newness of spirit." It refers to the influence of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life to obedience and good works. In 8:2 he refers to it as "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus." Law of sin: The law caused sin to "revive" (verse 9), literally, "become alive." Sin takes on an active force throughout the passage, which climaxes in this expression, "the law of sin." It refers to that in man which is sold under sin. It is "the law of sin and death" in 8:2. Apart from the indwelling Holy Spirit, the law of sin would dominate in Paul's life.

7:24 O wretched man: The reference here is to Paul's tragic condition of defeat and frustration with sin. The body of this death is not the physical body, but the inherited sin nature received from Adam. It is that in him which is continually inclined toward thoughts and deeds that yield only death.

Yours in Jesus Christ,

Bishop William B. Caractor