Romans 7:5-6 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 to death.… Let us consider the persons described by the apostle in respect of — I. THEIR FORMER STATE. 1. "When we were in the flesh"; i.e. — (1) Under the carnal ordinances of the Mosaic law (Galatians 3:3; Galatians 4:1-3), which could not make him that did the service perfect as to his conscience (see Hebrews 7:18, 19; Hebrews 9:6-10; Hebrews 10:1-4). (2) Under the law as a covenant of works. (3) Not in Christ (Romans 8:1, 2), and therefore not justified. (4) Not in the Spirit, and therefore unrenewed and carnal (Romans 8:5-8; John 3:5-7). 2. While in this state "the motions of sins" — desires after unlawful things, inordinate desires after lawful things, dispositions contrary to the mind of Christ — these which are manifested and irritated "by the law" as well as prohibited and condemned, "did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death"; such fruit as would have issued in eternal death, if God, in His mercy, had not interposed. The law forbids sin, and condemns to death for it, but does not deliver it. II. THEIR NEW OR CHRISTIAN STATE. 1. "But now we are delivered from the law," etc. — (1) From the ceremonial law. This kept the people employed in external things, and so hindered spiritual worship and service. (2) From the moral law, as a covenant of works or means of justification, but not as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, or a rule of life when we are brought to Him. 2. This implies — (1) Pardon and freedom from guilt, condemnation, and wrath. (2) Confidence towards God and peace with Him. (3) Gratitude and love to Him, causing us to desire and to endeavour to obey Him. (4) Union and communion with Him. 3. The ground of our deliverance, "that being dead wherein we were held." The law is spoken of figuratively, as a person to whom we were in subjection, as a wife to her husband, during his life; but the abrogation of the covenant, which is, as it were, its death, releases us from its authority, so far as that it cannot condemn us, if we are united to Christ. III. THE END FOR WHICH THEY WERE BROUGHT INTO THIS STATE. That we might "serve"; worship (Matthew 4:10), obey (Romans 6:16), and promote God's cause (John 12:26). To serve "in the oldness of the letter," is to serve merely in the strength of our natural powers. But we must serve in the strength of grace. 1. The former is to serve in a mere external way, regarding only the exterior of Divine worship and the letter of the law. We must worship God in the spirit (Philippians 3:3; John 4:23, 24), inwardly, and by His Spirit; and must regard chiefly the spiritual meaning of His laws (Romans 2:28, 29). 2. The former is to serve in a legal righteousness, unpardoned, unchanged. We must serve in an evangelical righteousness (Philippians 3:9). 3. The former is to serve in unbelief, and in a spirit of bondage. This in faith, and in a spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5) and a hope of immortality. 4. The former is to serve from fear of God, and from fear of death and hell: this, from love to God as a Father, and in consequence of His love to us. 5. The former is to serve with reluctance, finding His service a drudgery; this, with delight, finding it perfect freedom. 6. The former is to be scanty, inconstant, mercenary, and selfish in our services: this is, to be abundant, unwearied, generous, and disinterested. (Jos. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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