Romans 7:8-11
7:8 a sin used this command (literally sin took an opportunity through this command): The word opportunity is a military term for a position seized in enemy territory that becomes a base of operations (see 7:11 b). By expressing God’s demands, the commandments stimulate rebellion in sinful human beings. The commandments of God become an occasion for sin to accomplish its deadly purposes.• sin would not have that power: The law, by clearly expressing God’s will, makes people more accountable than they would be without it. The law of Moses did not solve Israel’s sin problem but exposed and exacerbated it. This is always the effect that God’s law, by itself, has on sinful human beings.
7:9 c At one time I lived without understanding the law: Paul might be referring to his early childhood, before he came to understand the full demands of the law.
• But when I learned the command: Paul’s experience with the law as he grew to maturity exemplifies every person’s experience with it. With the law, we have greater accountability to God, which brings the power of sin to life, and the result is greater judgment (7:10 d; see 4:15 e; 5:14 f, 20 g).
7:10 h which were supposed to bring life: The Old Testament promised a blessed and secure life to those who obeyed the law (e.g., Lev 18:5 i, quoted in Rom 10:5 j). However, human beings inherit from Adam a strong tendency to sin. Therefore, when God’s commands come to us, we do not naturally obey them, but resist and disobey them. Instead of bringing life, the law only confirms and exposes our lost and helpless condition. We need a change of heart that the law cannot provide.
7:11 k Sin ... deceived me: The language is reminiscent of Gen 3:13 l—Paul might be thinking of the Fall.
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