Romans 7:7-13 "Is the Law Sin?

Paul’s letter to the Romans brings us face to face with one of the most challenging and misunderstood issues in the Christian life: the purpose and power of God’s law for those who are in Christ. Many wrestle with how to relate to the Mosaic law now that we are under grace, not law. If we misunderstand this, we risk fighting our ongoing battle with sin using a weapon that is powerless—like going to war with a paper plate. The law, Paul insists, is not the problem. Rather, it is sin within us that seizes the opportunity provided by the law to multiply and deepen our rebellion.

The law’s first and primary function is to reveal sin. Paul uses the example of coveting—a sin of the heart, invisible to others—to show that the law exposes not just our actions but our inward desires. The law draws clear boundaries, making us aware of where we have transgressed. Yet, as soon as the law reveals sin, our sinful nature springs to life, and sin multiplies. The law, then, is like a mirror: it shows us our true condition, but it cannot cleanse us. It is not the law that causes us to sin, but sin within us that exploits the law’s commands.

Paul’s own story illustrates this. He once considered himself alive and righteous, but when the commandment truly came home to his heart, he realized he was spiritually dead. The law, which promised life to those who obeyed, instead brought death because no one could keep it perfectly. This is not a flaw in the law—the law is holy, righteous, and good. Rather, it is a reflection of the depth of our sinfulness.

The law cannot save or sanctify. It cannot conquer sin; it can only reveal it and, paradoxically, even exacerbate it by stirring up our rebellious desires. The only hope is to turn to Christ, who alone can free us from the curse and power of sin. We must not discard the law, nor look to it for salvation or growth in holiness. Instead, we rest in the finished work of Jesus, trusting that what the law could not do, God has done through Christ. Our growth in grace comes not from striving to keep the law, but from remembering, rejoicing in, and resting in what Christ has accomplished for us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Law Reveals, Not Removes, Sin The law functions as a mirror, exposing the reality of our sinfulness but offering no power to cleanse or change us. It draws the boundaries of God’s will, making us aware of our transgressions, but cannot provide the remedy. This insight humbles us, driving us to seek grace outside ourselves. [06:12]
• 2. Sin Exploits the Law to Multiply Sin within us seizes the opportunity provided by the law’s commands, not only revealing but intensifying our rebellion. The law, though holy, becomes an instrument that sin uses to deceive and destroy, showing us the futility of self-reliance and the necessity of a Savior. [14:36]
• 3. The Law Cannot Conquer Sin Attempting to overcome sin by law-keeping is like fighting a battle with a powerless weapon. The law was never intended to free us from sin’s grip; it can only show us our need for deliverance. True victory over sin comes only through faith in Christ and the power of His finished work. [18:44]
• 4. The Law Is Holy, Righteous, and Good Despite its inability to save, the law remains God’s good gift, reflecting His character and purposes. We must honor and revere the law, not discard it, but also not misuse it as a means of salvation or sanctification. Its rightful place is to point us to Christ, who fulfills its demands on our behalf. [33:24]
• 5. Rest in Christ, Not in Law-Keeping Growth in grace and victory over sin are found not by returning to the law, but by remembering and rejoicing in what Christ has done. Sanctification is by grace through faith, not by our own striving. We are called to trust wholly in Jesus, who alone is sufficient to save and transform us. [39:02]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:03] - The Challenge of Understanding the Law
• [03:04] - Is the Law Sin?
• [06:12] - The Law Reveals Sin
• [08:59] - Why Paul Highlights Coveting
• [12:48] - The Law as a Mirror
• [14:36] - Sin’s Use of the Law
• [17:29] - The Law Exacerbates Sin
• [20:07] - Sin Brings Death
• [22:13] - Paul’s Personal Awakening
• [24:17] - Illustration: The Doctor’s Diagnosis
• [26:08] - The Law and Our Children
• [29:18] - Sin Deceives and Kills
• [33:24] - The Law Is Holy and Good
• [36:33] - The Law’s Purpose: Driving Us to Christ
• [39:02] - Resting in Christ’s Finished Work

Bible Reading

Romans 7:7-13 (ESV) — 7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”
8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead.
9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.
10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.
11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.
12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in Romans 7:7-8, what is the primary function of the law? How does he use the example of coveting to make his point? ([06:12])
2. What does Paul say happens when the commandment comes into a person’s life? How does he describe his own experience? ([20:07])
3. In verse 12, how does Paul describe the law and the commandment? What words does he use, and why is this important? ([33:24])
4. What does Paul say is the real cause of death and spiritual failure— is it the law, or something else? ([36:33])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul insist that the law is not sinful or the cause of sin, even though it seems to make things worse? What is he trying to clarify for his readers? ([05:46])
2. How does the law act like a mirror in our lives, and why is this both helpful and humbling? ([12:48])
3. Paul says that the law cannot conquer sin, but only reveals it and even stirs it up. Why is it so tempting for Christians to try to use law-keeping as a way to fight sin? ([18:44])
4. What does it mean that the law is “holy, righteous, and good,” but still powerless to save or sanctify us? How should this shape our attitude toward God’s law? ([33:24])

Application Questions

1. Paul describes trying to fight sin with the law as “going to war with a paper plate.” Have you ever tried to overcome a sin in your life by just trying harder or making more rules for yourself? What was the result? ([01:46])
2. The law exposes not just our actions, but our inward desires—like coveting. Are there areas in your life where you look good on the outside, but know your heart is not right? How do you respond when God’s Word exposes these hidden sins? ([10:54])
3. When you become aware of your sin, do you tend to feel hopeless, defensive, or driven to seek God’s grace? What would it look like to let the law drive you to Christ instead of to despair or self-effort? ([37:04])
4. The sermon said, “The law cannot save or sanctify. It cannot conquer sin; it can only reveal it and, paradoxically, even exacerbate it by stirring up our rebellious desires.” How does this challenge the way you think about spiritual growth? ([18:44])
5. Paul’s story shows that he thought he was “alive” and doing well until the law truly confronted him. Have you ever had a moment when God’s Word revealed something about yourself that you hadn’t seen before? How did you respond? ([24:17])
6. The law is described as holy, righteous, and good, but not as a means of salvation or growth. How can you honor and revere God’s law without falling into legalism or self-reliance? ([33:24])
7. The sermon calls us to “rest in the finished work of Jesus.” What are some practical ways you can remember, rejoice in, and rest in what Christ has done for you this week, especially when you are struggling with sin? ([39:02])