Romans 7:10-13 (WEL) The commandment meant for [bringing] life was found [bringing] death to me, 11 For sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, deceived me and by it killed me. 12 Therefore, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, just, and good. 13 So then, that which is good, made death in me? Absolutely not! Sin, in order for it to appear as sin, produced death in me by that which is good, so that sin through the commandment might become extremely sinful.
V10 The commandment meant for [bringing] life was found [bringing] death to me…
The particular commandment Paul is referring to is the commandment not to covet. God’s law had the purpose of bringing life to people (Leviticus 18:5, Ezekiel 20:11, and Luke 10:27-29), but the law failed (Romans 8:3), because of our sin nature which is addicted to sin (Proverbs 5:22).
People do not recognize sin unless the standard is present. Comparing the standard with our actions reveals our sin.
V11 …For sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, deceived me and by it killed me.
Sin refers to our sin nature. There is a tendency in humans that when someone says we can’t do that, we are tempted to do it. Sin is deceptive. Sin sounds good, looks good, and gives great pleasure, but it is full of poison. Just ask Adam and Eve. Sin kills. The law makes no one acceptable to God.
Ellicott states: “All this time the Law (i.e., the whole body of precepts) and the Commandment (i.e., the particular precepts included in the Law) remained perfectly good in themselves. They could not be otherwise, having come from the hand of God Himself. Sin was the fatal power. The Law and the Commandment were only passive instruments which it wielded for the destruction of man. But at the same time Sin itself was exposed by them in all its ever-increasing enormity.”
V12 Therefore, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, just, and good.
The law itself is holy and without any defilement, as with all its commands. They are just (applying to all people equally) and good (meeting God’s standards).
Psalms 111:7-8 (NLT) All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. 8 They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.
V13 So then, that which is good, made death in me? Absolutely not! Sin, in order for it to appear as sin, produced death in me by that which is good, so that sin through the commandment might become extremely sinful.
The law is good but produces death in me. How does what is good make death? It reveals the knowledge of our sin nature, which will lead to death (eternal punishment). The purpose of the law is to reveal our evil nature and addiction to sin. The purpose is for us to cry out to God for forgiveness.
Luke 18:13-14 (EHV) 13 “However, the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even lift his eyes up to heaven, but was beating his chest and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 “I tell you, this man went home justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
We learn:
- The law is good.
- The law reveals our sin nature.
- God uses the law to convict us of our sins.
Questions:
- Have you recognized your sin nature?
- Have you cried out to God for forgiveness and mercy?