This commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
3So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
4Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
In order to be married a second time, death must occur, it is the only way the initial marriage bond is broken. In order for us to be freed from the law, Jesus had to die and condemn sin in the flesh for us Romans 8:3.
The “should” in the phrase "that ye should be married to another" does not imply this is optional but rather a consequence of being "dead to the law by the body of Christ." The use of "should" here does not imply a choice or possibility but rather a necessary outcome. The same goes for “should bring forth fruit”. Some say fruit my or may not come when you are saved. But we can’t say should means two different things here. This is not an optional outcome, but a guaranteed result of their new relationship with Christ (where there is life, there is fruit). How can we verify this? By comparing other Scriptures, we see this clearly. However, it must also be noted that a Christian can be carnal or immature (1 Corinthians 3:1–3), and believers bear fruit in varying degrees (Matthew 13:8). So, a Christian may not always look like a Christian on the outside but that doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t one. Only they know in their heart if they have believed the gospel. In time, if they truly belong to God, He will lovingly discipline them and continue growing them (Hebrews 12:6).
If someone is saved, they are abiding (1 John 4:15, John 6:56) and John 15:5 says they are guaranteed to produce fruit of some sort “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
It must be clear that it all comes back to believe and not fruit producing. In John 15:6 the reason Jesus gives for a branch being burned (ie. sent to hell) is due to not abiding, aka not believing in Him. Note it is not because they aren’t producing fruit in John 15. His gauge is abiding (believe) not fruit production, rather that is just an outward sign that is no inward life (Jesus).
Both Jesus and John the Baptist speak of producing fruit. This is not something we strive to do, but as Jesus says in John 7:38, it is a natural result of someone full of living water (see also: Luke 3:9, Luke 6:43–45, Luke 13:6–9, Matthew 7:16–19, Matthew 21:19, John 15:2).
Jude 1 provides good insight on someone that is fruitless. Those rejecting Jesus are described as trees “without fruit” (v. 12), who are “ungodly” and “deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 4). They are described as those who “believed not” (v. 5) and for whom “the blackness of darkness is reserved forever” (v. 13). The axe is laid at the root of every tree, and every person is given the choice to receive or reject Jesus. Those who reject Him and remain unforgiven will be “hewn down” and cast into outer darkness and fire (Matthew 8:12, Matthew 22:13, Mark 9:43).
In John 3:16, we see a similar phrase “should not perish” which, though in the subjunctive mood (just as “should bring forth fruit” is here), it is rightly understood as a guaranteed promise, because faith is assumed and the outcome is certain in that context.
In conclusion, Jesus says in Matthew 7:16 that we will know false prophets by their fruits, and that a person’s actions and character reveal whether they are truly godly. As He says in Luke 6:44, just as a tree is known by its fruit, so is a person. If someone says they love God but hates others, they are lying (1 John 4:20).
5For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
This chapter can be confusing, it seems Paul could be speaking of his life before conversion but throughout there is a lot of present tense used. It seems to be Paul paralleling Galatians speaking of the struggle with sin between the flesh and the Spirit.
6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
7What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
A desire for God can exist, even in the flesh
Paul is a believer here yet he says that even in his flesh, in his sin nature, he has a will to not sin:
“For to will is present with me...”
But in this flesh there is no power:
”...but how to perform that which is good I find not”s
The sin nature can recognize God’s law, desire righteousness, and want to obey, even though it cannot carry it out.
The Old Testament confirms this, unregenerate people like David, Nineveh, and Ahab sought God and desired to do right, even while repeatedly failing. Romans 7 illustrates that desire for God can exist within the flesh, but human effort alone is insufficient to produce obedience, pointing to the need for the Spirit.
19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Paul says the same thing “so that ye cannot do the things that ye would”to the Galations when he speaks encouraging them to walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
In the next chapter, Romans 8:7, Paul says “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” So if Paul finds “delight in the law of God” it would seem he is now in the Spirit, now a saved man.
23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
In Galatians 5:16 Paul speaks of this battle between the flesh and the Spirit that believers have: “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
His antidote is to walk in the Spirit, Galatians 5:15 “ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
The “I am” is present tense. This is Paul as he writes this, not before coming to Christ.
25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Some say this whole chapter is Paul speaking of the time before he came to Christ but here in his conclusion we see that Jesus will save him from this. But yet, as he also stated to the Galatians, it is “with the mind”, his own choice he will serve and or obey God. Notice he still says his flesh is with him “but with the flesh”. Therefore we conclude this parallels Paul in Galatians teaching we have two natures within us. We now live in the Spirit but we must also choose to walk in the Spirit Galatians 5:25: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
We are positionally holy, sanctified and saved in Christ. We are forevermore in the Spirit but are we daily practicing this? Are we striving to walk according to our new status serving God with our minds? Paul tells us we must renew our minds with God’s word (Ephesians 5:26, Colossians 3:10) as Romans 12:2 says “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” There are many brain patterns, habits etc that must be crucified after salvation.
7
Romans 7 — Forever Word commentary
King James VersionThis commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
3So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
4Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
In order to be married a second time, death must occur, it is the only way the initial marriage bond is broken. In order for us to be freed from the law, Jesus had to die and condemn sin in the flesh for us Romans 8:3.
The “should” in the phrase "that ye should be married to another" does not imply this is optional but rather a consequence of being "dead to the law by the body of Christ." The use of "should" here does not imply a choice or possibility but rather a necessary outcome. The same goes for “should bring forth fruit”. Some say fruit my or may not come when you are saved. But we can’t say should means two different things here. This is not an optional outcome, but a guaranteed result of their new relationship with Christ (where there is life, there is fruit). How can we verify this? By comparing other Scriptures, we see this clearly. However, it must also be noted that a Christian can be carnal or immature (1 Corinthians 3:1–3), and believers bear fruit in varying degrees (Matthew 13:8). So, a Christian may not always look like a Christian on the outside but that doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t one. Only they know in their heart if they have believed the gospel. In time, if they truly belong to God, He will lovingly discipline them and continue growing them (Hebrews 12:6).
If someone is saved, they are abiding (1 John 4:15, John 6:56) and John 15:5 says they are guaranteed to produce fruit of some sort “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
It must be clear that it all comes back to believe and not fruit producing. In John 15:6 the reason Jesus gives for a branch being burned (ie. sent to hell) is due to not abiding, aka not believing in Him. Note it is not because they aren’t producing fruit in John 15. His gauge is abiding (believe) not fruit production, rather that is just an outward sign that is no inward life (Jesus).
Both Jesus and John the Baptist speak of producing fruit. This is not something we strive to do, but as Jesus says in John 7:38, it is a natural result of someone full of living water (see also: Luke 3:9, Luke 6:43–45, Luke 13:6–9, Matthew 7:16–19, Matthew 21:19, John 15:2).
Jude 1 provides good insight on someone that is fruitless. Those rejecting Jesus are described as trees “without fruit” (v. 12), who are “ungodly” and “deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 4). They are described as those who “believed not” (v. 5) and for whom “the blackness of darkness is reserved forever” (v. 13). The axe is laid at the root of every tree, and every person is given the choice to receive or reject Jesus. Those who reject Him and remain unforgiven will be “hewn down” and cast into outer darkness and fire (Matthew 8:12, Matthew 22:13, Mark 9:43).
In John 3:16, we see a similar phrase “should not perish” which, though in the subjunctive mood (just as “should bring forth fruit” is here), it is rightly understood as a guaranteed promise, because faith is assumed and the outcome is certain in that context.
In conclusion, Jesus says in Matthew 7:16 that we will know false prophets by their fruits, and that a person’s actions and character reveal whether they are truly godly. As He says in Luke 6:44, just as a tree is known by its fruit, so is a person. If someone says they love God but hates others, they are lying (1 John 4:20).
5For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
This chapter can be confusing, it seems Paul could be speaking of his life before conversion but throughout there is a lot of present tense used. It seems to be Paul paralleling Galatians speaking of the struggle with sin between the flesh and the Spirit.
6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
7What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
A desire for God can exist, even in the flesh
Paul is a believer here yet he says that even in his flesh, in his sin nature, he has a will to not sin:
“For to will is present with me...”
But in this flesh there is no power:
”...but how to perform that which is good I find not”s
The sin nature can recognize God’s law, desire righteousness, and want to obey, even though it cannot carry it out.
The Old Testament confirms this, unregenerate people like David, Nineveh, and Ahab sought God and desired to do right, even while repeatedly failing. Romans 7 illustrates that desire for God can exist within the flesh, but human effort alone is insufficient to produce obedience, pointing to the need for the Spirit.
19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Paul says the same thing “so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” to the Galations when he speaks encouraging them to walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
In the next chapter, Romans 8:7, Paul says “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” So if Paul finds “delight in the law of God” it would seem he is now in the Spirit, now a saved man.
23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
In Galatians 5:16 Paul speaks of this battle between the flesh and the Spirit that believers have: “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
His antidote is to walk in the Spirit, Galatians 5:15 “ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
The “I am” is present tense. This is Paul as he writes this, not before coming to Christ.
25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Some say this whole chapter is Paul speaking of the time before he came to Christ but here in his conclusion we see that Jesus will save him from this. But yet, as he also stated to the Galatians, it is “with the mind”, his own choice he will serve and or obey God. Notice he still says his flesh is with him “but with the flesh”. Therefore we conclude this parallels Paul in Galatians teaching we have two natures within us. We now live in the Spirit but we must also choose to walk in the Spirit Galatians 5:25: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
We are positionally holy, sanctified and saved in Christ. We are forevermore in the Spirit but are we daily practicing this? Are we striving to walk according to our new status serving God with our minds? Paul tells us we must renew our minds with God’s word (Ephesians 5:26, Colossians 3:10) as Romans 12:2 says “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” There are many brain patterns, habits etc that must be crucified after salvation.