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Observe —

I. THE DOCTRINE laid down in my text.

1. The law has different meanings. At one time it stands for the whole religion of Moses; as when the Jews are said to "make their boast of the law." In another place it means the ceremonies which formed a prominent part of that religion; in which sense "the law had a shadow of good things to come." But, very frequently the ten commandments are meant, as here.

(1) By quoting the tenth commandment in ver. 7, Paul shows that the whole argument relates to the moral law.

(2) This allusion also explains the repetition in the text. The whole law, but particularly that commandment to which I have alluded, is "holy, just, and good."(3) The selection of this particular command shows that Paul viewed it as a spiritual law; extending, not to actions only, but to desires. He never knew what the law was till this tenth commandment came with power to his conscience; e.g., the sixth, he thought, forbad only actual murder; the seventh, actual adultery; the eighth, actual stealing. But when at length it was said, "Thou shalt not covet," he then perceived that even the desire of things forbidden was sinful.

2. What, then, is the doctrine laid down by St. Paul concerning this heart-searching law?

(1) It is holy.

(a)  The things which it forbids are evil; the dispositions which it requires are excellent.

(b)  By what standard shall we estimate holiness and unholiness?There is none other but the will and character of God. Those actions and dispositions which are agreeable to His nature, and which resemble His inimitable perfections, are holy; those of a contrary kind are unholy. God's law is the very copy of His own Holy character; were it perfectly obeyed man would be holy, as God is holy.

(2) It is just.

(a) God could require nothing short of this. Anything less than entire purity of heart is not only different from God's nature, but directly opposed to it. We may, without offence, be less wise or powerful; but it is impossible to admit the thought of His consenting that we shall be less holy. God made man "in His own image, and after His own likeness"; "God made man upright." Was it unreasonable to require that man should preserve this holy likeness?

(b) But you may object that we have now lost our original likeness to God; and that it is therefore no longer just to demand from us perfect obedience. But God's rights cannot be diminished by any change in our condition. A bankrupt has lost the power of paying his debts; yet it is still just in the creditor to demand them, especially when, as is the case with men, the bankruptcy is the result of wickedness.

(3) It is good. The whole of it tends to our welfare. If we had never broken it, there would have been no such thing as sorrow; and, if men would govern their hearts and lives by it, the world's miseries would soon have an end. For what is the sum and substance of its requirements? Love to God above all, love to our neighbour as to ourselves. Now we know that love is happiness. The joys of heaven will consist of perfect love to God, and the mutual love of each other.

II. ITS PRACTICAL USES. Learn —

1. A lesson of the deepest self-abasement. The law, when first given to man, only made known to him his duty; but ever since the fall it has taught "the knowledge of sin." The law is holy; but what are we? Moreover, the doctrine shuts out all excuse. We cannot complain of the law, for it is just and good. Yet have we all our lives acted contrary to it.

2. A lesson of despair. Whatever it may have been to man in a state of innocence, it is now the ministration of condemnation. It pronounces a curse on every transgressor; it worketh wrath; it has shut us up like prisoners, under a charge of sin so fully proved that it cannot be evaded. From all this let us learn that by the deeds of the law no flesh can be saved. Perfect obedience is necessary if we are to be justified by it. Can you, then, stand up and claim a full acquittal? If once you have sinned your soul is lost. Learn this and you will then be prepared to hear of a Saviour, who hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, and despair will prove the parent of hope and joy.

3. How you ought to walk and please God. The law is what it ever was, holy, and just, and good. And therefore, though it cannot justify us as a covenant, it must still instruct us as a guide.

(J. Jowett, M. A.)

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KJV: Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

WEB: Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.