Romans 7

1 The Apostle having declared in the foregoing Chapter that sin reigns no more over those that are in Christ, like as it reigns over those that are under the Law, now proves the same by the example of the making free of a wife from the dominion of her husband by the death of her husband, 4 and applies that to the regenerate. 7 Teacheth further for what purpose the Law serves: and proves that the Law is no cause of sin in the unregenerate, although sin through the Law reigned over them. 14. Afterwards describes the strife betwixt the flesh and the spirit, and sets forth the power which the remainders of corruption still have against the spirit in the believers. 24. Concludes this declaration with a complaint and with a wish to be wholly delivered from their strife, and with a Thanksgiving to God for the deliverance already obtained.

1. Know ye not Brethren, (for I speak to them that understand the Law) [Namely, given by Moses, which not only the Jews but also Christians are bound to understand] that the law hath dominion over a man [that is, obligeth man to obey it] so long time as he liveth? [namely, to whom the Law is given, for the Law properly commands not the dead but the living.]

2. For a wife which is under the husband [Namely, by the band of marriage] is bound to the living husband by the Law: [namely, to be faithful and obedient to him as long as he liveth. For howsoever the husband was permitted in the Old Testament to give wife bill of divorce, yet notwithstanding such forsaking was never approved by God. See Matthew 19:8.] but if the husband be dead, she is made free [Gr. Made empty, that is, made loose and free] from the Law of the husband. [that is, from the obligation, whereby the Law binds her to the husband.]

3. Therefore if she become another mans, [That is, marrieth to another man, and become his wife, as also in the end of the this same verse] while the husband liveth, she shall be called [that is, be indeed, and rightly be called, as this Greek word Chrematizein is also taken, Acts 11:26.] an adulteress: but if the husband be dead, she is free from the Law, so that she is no adulteress, if she become another mans.

4. So then my Brethren, ye are also made dead to the Law [The opposition seemed to require that the Apostle should say the law is put to death, or is dead to you, seeing the reigning power of sin by the Law, or the Law itself is here put as the husband, which bears sway over us by its threatening against sin, and irritations to sin, by reason of the deprivation of our flesh, as he will declare hereafter v.8. but the Apostle rather inverted the same, because it would have seemed strange if he had said that the Law was made dead by Christ, whereas he means that the domineering power of the Law was made dead which by this manner of speaking, we are made dead to the Law, i.e. the Law hath no more this threatening and instigating power over us, seeing we are dead as to it, may altogether as fitly be understood] by the body of Christ, [that is, by the sacrifice of the body of Christ accomplished on the cross, whereby he did away the curse of the Law, and the power of sin under the Law, and delivered us from it: as in the former Chapter is more largely declared. See also 1 Cor. 15. v. 56. 57.] that ye should be another’s, [or for another, namely, Christ Jesus] (namely) his who was raised up from the dead, [namely, not only to live himself, but to cause us to live with him, and to unite us unto him] that we should bear fruits unto God. [namely, the fruits of this spiritual marriage with Christ, which are the fruits of holiness and righteousness, whereby God is honoured and praised by us, John 15. v. 8.]

5. For when we were in the flesh, [That is, in the corruption of our nature and under the dominion of the same. See afterwards chapter 8.5. and the following verses] the motions of sin which are by the law, [that is, which are discovered and irritated by the Law, as ill vapours are discovered and raised by the Sun, which are hidden in the Earth. See v. 8.] wrought in our members, to bring forth fruits of death. [that is, corruption, which had seat principally in the soul, by its evil motions spread itself abroad through all members, and by the same brought forth those ill fruits whereof the end is death. See Mat 15.v18.19. Jam. 1.v14.15.]

6. But now we are made free [See before the annot. On v.4.] from the law, forasmuch as the reigning power of the Law and sin, by the death and spirit of Christ, is abolished in us. Otherwise forasmuch as that is dead, namely, the law, in respect of its compelling, condemning and irritating power] under which [Gr. In which] we were held: so that we serve [namely, God] in newness of spirit, [that is, in true holiness, whereunto we are renewed by the Holy Ghost, through the preaching of the Gospel, which is called a ministry of righteousness and of the spirit, 2 Cor. 3.v.8,9.] and not (in) the oldness of the letter. [that is, in the corruption, which by the external letter of the Law is more and more stirred up to sin, seeing the law indeed condemns the sinner, but brings not with it the power to forsake sin: wherefore the law is called a killing letter, and a ministry of death, 2 Cor. chapter 3.v.6,7.]

7. What shall we say therefore? Is the law sin? [That is, cause of sin: which objection ariseth from hence, that the Apostle hath said it before v.5. that sin was powerful in us by the Law, therefore he declared in the following verses how this must be understood] far be it: Yea I knew not the sin but by the Law. [namely, to the full, and as I though? For otherwise even nature itself teacheth a difference of good and evil in many things, Rom. 2.v.15.] For even Ihad not known concupiscence (to be sin) [here concupiscence is taken for the ground of all desires, and for the first motions of the same. For the concupiscence to which we consent, the Heathen also well knew that it was sin: but these first motions to evil they held to be no sin, as neither did the Pharisees, amongst whom Paul had been. See Matthew 5:20,22,28. and 23.25, & etc.] if the Law said not, thou shalt not covet.

8. But sin [That is, the corruption that is in us] having taken occasion [or being set at going; For the law doth not only discover and condemn sin, as is testified in the former verse, but the corruption which is in man is by this knowledge stirred up and set a going against the commandment, when Gods spirit doth not hinder the same] by the commandment, wrought in me all concupiscence. [that is, all kinds of actual concupiscence] For without the law [that is, without the right knowledge of the law] sin is dead. [that is, doth not show its power.]

9. And without the law I lived [Or I was alive, i.e. I thought that I was just. And thereupon was at rest. See the like example in that young man, Mat. 19.v. ,16,17,18. &c. and in the Pharisees in general, Matthew 23:28.] heretofore: [namely, being yet a Pharisee] but when the commandment came, [namely, to the right knowledge, and that I understood that even the inward desires against the law are sins] sin became alive again, [that is, I felt the multitude of sins which was awaked in me, to be alive] but I died. [that is, I was convinced in my mind that I lay in the midst of death, and lost the confidence of being able to be saved by the obedience of the law, Romans 4:15. 2 Cor. 3. v.6,7,9.]

10. And the commandment which was into life, [Namely, for those that should perfectly keep the law, Romans 10:5. Gal. 3 12, &c. which is impossible to man, Rom. 8.v.3.] the same was found to me unto death. [namely, through my corruption and transgression.]

11. For sin having taken occasion by the commandment, seduced me [See the annot. V.8.] and by the same killed me.

12. So then the law is holy; and the commandment is holy, and just and good.

13. Is therefore good become death [That is, a cause of death as v.7.] to me? Far be it. But sin (is become death unto me) that it might be manifest (to be) sin, working death to me by that which is good: that sin might become above measure sinful by the command. [namely, as is declared before on the 8. verse.]

14. For we know that the Law [Hitherto the Apostle hath spoken of the power of the law and of sin, in the corrupt and unregenerate man; as he himself also had formerly experienced, when he was yet in such a state, v.9. but now he cometh and speaketh of himself as he then was, and declares what power the remainders of sinful flesh had still in him, now after that he was delivered from the dominion of sin, like as all his reasons which follow, speaks of the present time, and not of the time past] is spiritual, [that is, which requires not only an outward but also an inward obedience of the heart, and prescribes the perfect rule of a spiritual and holy life, as Christ expounds the sum thereof, Matthew 22:37.] but I am carnal, [namely, still in part, in respect of the remainders of the flesh which are yet in me, as he declares v.18.23. For that even the regenerate in respect of some defects which are still in them may be called carnal, appears, 1 Cor.3.1.] sold under sin [namely, not as a willing slave, which should in all things follow the desire of sin, as is said of Ahab 1 Kings 21:20. but (as one) against his desire and will is still subject the lusts and assaults of sin, without being able yet wholly to free himself from it, although he earnestly resist it, and for the most part by the Spirit of God which is in him, overcome it. See the like Gal.5.17.18.]

15. For that which I do [Gr. Work or fulfill. The Apostle here takes the word do, as also in that which follows, not always of the outward act: for the regenerate walk not after the flesh but after the spirit, Rom.8:1. howsoever they have their failings which they with sorrow bewail, Job 9:2,3. Psalms 130:3. but he speaks here principally of the inward motions in sin which he hateth, and which corrupt nature causeth oft times to arise in him against his will, as he also speaketh of the lust of the flesh, Galatians 5:17. So that ye do not that which ye would; whereas notwithstanding he said before in the 16. verse, walk after the spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh] that I know not [namely, for good i.e. that I do not stand to, as he afterwards expounds it. See Psalms 1:6. Mat7.23.] For that which I will [that is, the good which I will, as v.19.] that I do not, [namely, in such perfection as gladly would, as v.18.] but that which I hate [that is, the evil which I am averse from, and that I would not, as v 19.] that do I.

16. And if I do that which I will not, I consent unto the Law [Namely, seeing I do not will or approve concupiscence, which it forbids] that it is good.

17. I therefore now [Namely, according to the inward man, as he expounds v,22.] no more do the same, but sin that dwelleth in me. [that is, the remainders of corruption which are still in me, as he declares, v.18.20.]

18. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good: for to will is (indeed) with me, [Gr. Lyeth by me. Namely, by the grace of God which worketh the same in me, Philippians 2:13.] but to do well [namely, in its perfection. See Phil. 3.v12,13,14.] that I find not.

19. For the good that I will, I do not; but the evil that I will not, that do I.

20. If I do that which I will not, I do it no more, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21. I find wherefore [That is, have experience of] this law [so the Apostle here calls as also v.23. by a similitude, the remaining corruption in believers, because like as a law by its commands and prohibitions admonisheth and obligeth a man to the obedience thereof, so also indwelling sin instigates then thereunto by its lusts and provocations. See v.23.] (in me) when I am willing to do well, that evil lies by me. [or lies on me, i.e. adheres or hangs on me. Namely, by the remainders of corrupt nature.]

22. For I have delight in the Law of God after the inward man. [hereby is not understood mans natural reason, which sometimes also strives for moral virtue : for the Scripture throughout testifies that the reason of the natural is blind and perverse in spiritual things, accounts them foolishness, 1 Cor. 2.14. is enmity against God, and is not subject to the Law of God, neither can be, Romans 8:7. but is to understood of a man as far forth as he is inwardly enlightened and regeneration by the Spirit of God, Romans 2:29. 2 Corinthians 4:16. Ephes. 3.16. which inward man hath his delight in the Law of God, Psalms 1:2. Romans 8:5. which is spiritual v.14.]

23. But I see another law in my members, [That is, in my flesh, v.5.18.] which striveth against the law of my mind [or the law of my understanding, i.e. against the prescript and motion of the inward and new man: as is declared heretofore] and taketh men captive [that is, still adheres to me against my will, v.14.] under the law of sin which is in my members.

24. Me! Miserable man, who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? [Or out of this body of death. Which may be understood of the remainders of sin and of the old man, which are called the body of sin, Romans 6:6. Or of mans body which is mortal here, and by reason of sin subjected to death, Romans 8:10. For we shall not be fully delivered from the remainders of sin, and from this captivity, before we shall have put off this mortal body.]

25. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [Namely, that he had already so far delivered me through Christ from the dominion of sin, that now howsoever still cleaves to me, yet nevertheless I am no more a willing slave of the same, but strive against it; and by the spirit of Christ can overcome it: as the conclusion that follows, and the beginning of the following Chapters imports, See 1 Cor. 15.v. 55.56.57.]

26. So then I myself [This is the conclusion of this whole conflict] serve indeed with the mind [that is, after the inward man, v.22. which the Apostle now acknowledgeth to be himself or to be his own, whereas the flesh after regeneration is but a strange hanger-on, which by little and little must be worn out and cast away] the law of God, with the flesh the law of sin.