Rom 7:7-8 | PNT | STEP | [Is] the law sin ? Paul intimates that the law was the occasion of sin ( ). Does he mean that the law in itself sinful? This thought he indignantly repels. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law . The restraints of the law brought to his knowledge his own sinful nature. Paul describes his own experiences when seeking the righteousness of the law, and thus describes those of human nature. The experiences here given are his own, but what he says is applicable to all men. The experiences are those of Saul of Tarsus, not those of Paul the apostle. For I had not known lust . Greedy desire for the possessions of others. All evil desire is embraced.

Romans 7:7-8

[Is] the law sin? Paul intimates that the law was the occasion of sin (Ro 7:5). Does he mean that the law in itself sinful? This thought he indignantly repels.

Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law. The restraints of the law brought to his knowledge his own sinful nature. Paul describes his own experiences when seeking the righteousness of the law, and thus describes those of human nature. The experiences here given are his own, but what he says is applicable to all men. The experiences are those of Saul of Tarsus, not those of Paul the apostle.

For I had not known lust. Greedy desire for the possessions of others. All evil desire is embraced. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment. Strange a psychological fact as it is, it is nevertheless true that to the carnal nature what is forbidden seems especially desirable. Adam and Eve would hardly have desired the forbidden fruit had it not been forbidden. When sinful men's freedom is limited, he rages against the limitation. One of the agnostic Ingersoll's pleas against the Divine government is that it is a limitation of freedom.

Concupisence. Evil desire.

For without the law sin [was] dead. "Apart from law". There is no article before "law". If there was no law to be broken, sin would be quiescent, and would be lifeless. The restraint of law makes it spring into vigorous life. Our carnal nature rebels whenever it is restrained.