Bible Commentaries
Romans 7

Verses 1-4

1-4 Dead to the Law - Married to Christ

Illustration of civil marriage "until death"

What died? You died to the law.

You were raised from the dead in baptism.

Therefore: We can now be married to Christ.

Verses 5-6

5-6 Theme: Sin in the flesh lead to death.

We should serve in newness of the spirit.

Theme : NOT: Oldness of the letter

BUT: Newness of spirit

Discuss :

1. What is the difference between "letter" and "spirit"?

2. Do we serve the letter or the spirit of the law today?

3. Should we ignore the letter of the law?

4. Should we follow ONLY the spirit of the law?

5. Is this "Spirit" (Holy Spirit) or "spirit" (our spirit)?

Examples :

1. Baptism is a burial. One hair dry? Use a shower cap?

2. Confess with the mouth. Nod head? Finger sign?

3. Before men. Middle of night? All alone?

4. Elder's children. Plural? Adopted?

5. Take up cross. Carry a bean? Bear a burden? Die?

6. Sing. Sit and listen?

Verses 7-12

Is it a blessing or a curse?

What did the law do?

1. Pointed out sinful behavior 7

2. Made us aware of sin in our lives 8

3. Makes us aware of the death penalty 9

4. Law was for life, but I was dead 10

5. Sin, not the law, killed me 11

Verses 13-15

13-15 The internal struggle

Verse 13 Good Death 14 Spiritual Carnal 15 Will Action 16 Consent Practice 17 Me Sin in me 18 Will Performance 19 Good Evil 21 Do good Evil present 22 Inner Outer 23 Mind Members 24 Delivered Wretched 25 Mind Flesh