What does Romans 7:7 mean?
What 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. Romans 7:7
Explanation
The verse Romans 7:7 is part of an epistle written by Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Rome. In this passage, Paul addresses a question that might arise regarding the purpose of the law, especially in light of the gospel’s message of grace. The question he poses is whether the law is synonymous with sin, to which he responds emphatically with “God forbid.”
Paul explains that the law in itself is not sin but serves as a mirror to expose sin. He uses the concept of “lust” or “covetousness” to illustrate his point. Paul essentially says that without the law, he would not have been aware that lust was sinful. It is through the law that he became conscious of this particular sin. For instance, it was the commandment “Thou shalt not covet” that made him realize the sinfulness of coveting.
Thus, the deeper meaning here is that the law acts as a divine instructor that reveals human sinfulness and highlights the need for salvation. Paul is neither devaluing the law nor promoting sin; instead, he is pointing toward the law’s role in bringing about an awareness of sin.
Historical Context
Romans 7:7 is situated within the broader context of Paul’s discourse on the law and grace. The letter to the Romans was written around A.D. 57 while Paul was in Corinth. The Roman church at that time was composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers, which often led to theological and practical tensions regarding the role of the Mosaic Law for Christians.
At that time, since the early church was still forming its identity, it was essential to address how the old covenant, represented by the Mosaic Law, related to the new covenant of grace through Jesus Christ. Therefore, Paul’s teachings often aimed to clarify misunderstandings and reconcile these two groups under a common faith.
Theological Insights
From a theological standpoint, Romans 7:7 presents several viewpoints:
- Reformed Perspective: The law illuminates sin and drives individuals to Christ, serving as a “tutor” (Galatians 3:24) that leads to the need for grace.
- Lutheran View: Martin Luther taught that the law serves as a means to bring about the knowledge of sin (known as the “theological use” of the law), here reflected by Paul’s personal example.
- Catholic Interpretation: The Catholic faith historically teaches that the purpose of the law is to educate people on virtue and sin, functioning as a guidepost towards right behavior.
- New Perspective on Paul: This framework suggests that Paul’s understanding of the law must be read in light of first-century Judaism, which viewed the law not as a pathway to salvation, but as a way to maintain covenant membership.
Each of these perspectives agrees that the law is not inherently sinful but reveals sin in human beings.
Practical Applications
In daily life, Romans 7:7 encourages individuals to:
- Acknowledge the role of the law, or moral standards, in identifying wrong behavior.
- Understand that feeling convicted of sin is a necessary step towards seeking forgiveness and spiritual growth.
- Use the law as an introspective tool rather than a punitive measure, leading to personal transformation and improved ethical conduct.
Cross-References
- Galatians 3:24: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
- James 1:23-25: “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass […].”
- 1 Timothy 1:8-10: “But we know that the law [is] good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient […].”
Language Study
In Romans 7:7, key Greek words include:
- Nomos (νόμος) – Often translated as “law,” referring to a variety of legal/moral standards, including the Mosaic Law.
- Hamartia (ἁμαρτία) – Translated as “sin,” indicating a missing of the mark or violation against divine law and morality.
- Epithymia (ἐπιθυμία) – Translated as “lust” or “covetousness,” suggesting a strong desire or longing, which is sinful when directed towards what is forbidden.
Understanding these Greek terms gives depth to our interpretation of Paul’s message about the law revealing sin.
Cultural and Religious Comparisons
Comparing Paul’s view on law and sin with contemporary views, we notice that:
- Ancient Greek philosophy often saw virtue as knowledge, and vice as ignorance; Paul, conversely, acknowledges the law as a source of knowledge that shows one’s inherent sinfulness.
- In Judaism, the Torah’s commandments were both prescriptive and descriptive of a way of life that marked an individual as part of God’s chosen people.
Paul’s framing contrasts with these views by highlighting the law’s role in making sin recognizable, not just guiding moral behavior.
Scientific Perspectives
Modern psychological understanding acknowledges the importance of setting boundaries and laws for a healthy society and individual conscience. While Romans 7:7 does not delve into scientific explanation, the concept that guidelines can reveal inherent issues within individuals aligns with psychological observations about human behavior, impulse control, and morality.
Commentaries
Regarding Romans 7:7, biblical scholars and theologians offer varied insights:
- John Stott suggests that the law’s purpose is to reveal sin and bring us to Christ, thus serving a crucial but limited role in the Christian experience.
- Douglas Moo points out the paradox of the Christian’s relationship with the law – it is no longer the basis for their standing before God but continues to play a role in the Christian life as a standard for godly behavior.
- N.T. Wright emphasizes a first-century Jewish understanding of the law, arguing that Paul sees the law as framing the sin problem that Christ solves, without necessarily being negative about the law itself.
These commentaries highlight the diverse interpretative approaches to Paul’s teaching on the law and sin in Romans 7:7.
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