Faith in Romans - Chapter 7: The Believer’s Relationship to the Law while being Born of Adam but Alive in the Body of Jesus Christ our Lord:

The word “faith” occurs 40 times in Romans and 27 of those are prior to Romans 5:22 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

, about 68% of the total. It doesn’t appear in the rest of the 5th chapter, nor in the 6th, 7th or 8th chapters. Of course, there is a good reason for this. Romans 5:1 - 21 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

reads: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” These are blessed assurances for believers; we stand justified and have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ and rejoice in the hope of the Glory of God. However, these blessings are by faith and faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11:11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

. So while we hope (earnestly expect these blessings), we are unable to see them. In reality, we live in humble, frail human bodies, dealing day by day with the world, the flesh and the Devil. As believers, we recognize our propensity to sin, knowing God cannot condone sin, Habakkuk 1:1313 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

. Thus, Paul proceeds to explain how the factual truth of Romans 5:1 - 2 works out in our tangible living experience. Briefly summarized are the passages following Romans 5:2 with references to the Faith Study number in which they were examined.

• As believers, we can expect trials/tribulations, but we should glory in them because we learn patience from them, which brings hope, i.e., our confident expectation of eternal salvation, which comes from the Holy Spirit, Romans 5:3 - 53 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

(Vol 5, No 11).

• In spite of the fact we are born sinners and have no power in ourselves to get out of our condition, God exhibited/proved His Love for us when Christ died for us while we were yet sinners, Romans 5:6 - 86 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(Vol 5, No 12).

• We are justified (rendered righteous) by Christ’s blood (His death), which has saved us from the wrath that is going to befall all unbelievers who are the enemies of God; sinners will die (the second death) because all are born from the seed of Adam who sinned, Romans 5:9 - 129 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

(Vol 5, No 13).

• The Law of Moses was given to identify the sin that exists in everyone. But whereas all are sinners in Adam and thus are bound to die, God in Grace has given us the “free gift” of righteousness, which rules unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 5:13 - 2113 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Vol 5, No 14).

• However, let it not be that believers should continue to sin in order that God’s Grace will abound (exist in abundance). Believers are dead to sin, having been baptized into Christ’s death. And since He was raised from the dead by the glory of God, we should live in the newness of His life and no longer in sin. Just as we are united together in His death, we will be united in His resurrection. Christ cannot die again because death has no power over Him. It follows that believers consider themselves dead to sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord and yield ourselves instruments of righteousness unto God. Sin has no authority over us because we are not under the Law, but under Grace, so let it not be that we should sin, just because we are under grace and not the Law, Romans 6:1 - 151 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

(Vol 5, No 15).

• Since sin has no power over believers because we are not under the Law, but under Grace, we are not to present ourselves as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin but as slaves unto righteousness. Before believers were saved, they were slaves of sin and the fruit (work/act/deed) of their labor brought death. But since they believed, they are free from sin and are slaves to God and their fruit (work/act/deed) is to be holy (separated or set aside) unto eternal life. The wages of sin is death (our former identity in Adam) but the Gift of God is eternal life (in Christ Jesus), Romans 6:13 - 2313 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Vol 5, No 16).

The seventh chapter opens with an object lesson clarifying the believer’s relationship with the law. It states that believers have been released from the law of Moses, explaining it only has dominion (authority) over people who are alive, Romans 7:11 Know 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?

, such as a woman who is bound by the law to her husband. However, when he dies she is no longer under her husband’s rule, Romans 7:22 For 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.

. If she marries another man while married to her husband she is an adulteress, but if he dies and she marries another man, she is not an adulteress, Romans 7:33 So 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.

. And so we are dead to the Law of Moses by the Body of Christ (Who fulfilled and died to it) and are married to another (The Lord Jesus Christ) Who was raised from the dead, therefore we should bring forth fruit unto God, Romans 7:44 Wherefore, 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.

. (See also Ephesians 2:1010 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

.) We are reminded that before we believed, the afflictions/suffering of sins, which are identified by the law worked in our human bodies to bare the fruit of death, Romans 7:55 For 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.

. Believers, having been delivered from death, in which the law previously held them, should serve in the new state of life in the Holy Spirit, and not in the old state under the law, Romans 7:66 But 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.

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Lest some gather the wrong idea about the Law, it is not sin; it is holy, just and good; it identified the sin that exists in all mankind, who otherwise would not have known the sin of lust (a longing for that which is forbidden). When the law came it identified envy, which is all manner of longing for that which is forbidden that exists in everyone, and that sin brought death Romans 7:7 - 127 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.

8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

. Thus, the question; “Was then that which is good (the law) made death unto me?” The answer is “let it not be.” “Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.” Romans 7:1313 Was 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.

. The law is spiritual, but we humans are carnal (governed by human nature) and so we are naturally sold as slaves under sin, Romans 7:1414 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

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When believers don’t do what they know they should, but do things they know they should not, it is a confession that the law is good, Romans 7:15 - 1615 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

. “Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me,” Romans 7:1717 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

, so believers come to know that there is no good thing in their flesh (their Adamic nature), because although they want to do good, they can’t, because even though as believers they desire or purpose to do good they don’t know how to accomplish it, Romans 7:1818 For 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.

. Believers come to delight in the Law of God indwelling them (by the power of the Holy Spirit) when they find the law of sin in their bodies (their Adamic nature) is at war or conflict with the law of God as they don’t do the good they want to, but instead, the evil they don’t want, Romans 7:19 - 2319 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23 But 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.

. And so, the question; who will deliver believers from their wretched bodies that are bound to die; and answered: “I 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.” Romans 7:2424 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

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In order to better understand Romans 7:24, it’s necessary to understand the meaning of the Greek word “nous” translated “mind.” Thayer’s Greek defines “nous” as “reason in the narrower sense, as the capacity for spiritual truth, the higher powers of the soul, the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognizing goodness and of hating evil.” This word is used twice in the following related passage: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:12 - 1612 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

. It is clear that believers have by the Holy Spirit within, the faculty of perceiving divine things and of recognizing good and evil and the conflict experienced in themselves between the lust of the flesh (our old Adamic nature) and the Law of God.

Unbelievers do not have this understanding. I witnessed this firsthand in a long time Jewish friend to whom I witnessed over the years. He was well aware of the Law of Moses but in a conversation with him while he lay dying in a hospital, I told him that he, like everyone, has sinned, but Jesus Christ died for his sins. He flat out denied he was a sinner. He gave the appearance of a moral, upright person, but never-the-less he was a sinner so he either didn’t recognize it or was in denial. I explained the Gospel from 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 41 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

to him but as far as I know from what he said about a week before he died, he didn’t believe it.

Romans is written to the Saints at Rome, those called of God, Romans 1:6 - 76 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

, and by extension, to all believers since then that we are “… justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1 - 2. And with the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we come to recognize the conflict between our Adamic nature and the Spirt of God that indwells us in our daily lives and any concern is put to rest as we know: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,” Romans 8:11 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

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