Romans 7:13
13 Was then [oun] that which is
good [agathos] made [ginomai] death [thanatos] unto me [emoi]? God forbid [me] [ginomai]. But [alla] sin [hamartia], that [hina] it might appear [phaino] sin [hamartia], working [katergazomai] death [thanatos] in me [moi] by [dia] that which is good [agathos]; that [hina] sin [hamartia] by [dia] the commandment [entole] might become [ginomai] exceeding [kata] [huperbole] sinful [hamartolos]. KJV-Interlinear
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. ESV
The overall subject of the book of Romans, is
salvation. Throughout these last several chapters, Paul has been comparing
grace, to works. And throughout chapter 6 and 7, Paul has been describing and
explaining the function of the Mosaic law, which function, most people simply
do not understand.
The Mosaic law is often times applied to man’s conscience,
so man can see his real self.
No one can know the true aspects of their own soul,
until they are faced with the law, and then they can see the contradictions of
their own life, when compared with the law.
The Mosaic law is a statement of perfection. It’s
rules describe the threshold, beyond which, when crossed, there can be no
return, so far as mans own effort is concerned.
And Paul here, answers a possible objection with
respect to the law, when some people might blame the law for death, when in
fact it merely defines the barrier.
The Mosaic law does not cause death, nor does it push
people across that barrier into death.
It is people themselves, the cross the barrier, by
means of sin, and therefore it is people who bring themselves to death, and we
are speaking of spiritual death, by means of the sins that they themselves
freely and willingly commit.
In the final phrase of this verse, sin beyond measure,
shows the intensity of the contradiction which man creates in his own soul,
where sin was developed, and excited which means brought into action, and
inflamed, and aggravated, and therefore demonstrates itself to be excessively
malignant and deadly.
Sin is not a dormant or slumbering principle, but is a
magnified opposition to God and truth.
In the Mosaic law, in all of its perfection, reveals
and discloses the true nature of perfection, and the true nature of sin, and
the true nature of man’s total depravity, and therefore the need of a Savior.
These studies, are a part of the massive
daily study web site at DailyBibeStudy.Org, that is easily accessible, and are
written, so that you can come to Christ if you have not done so already, and
therefore not be lost forever.
And
if you have already believed in Christ, then these studies are written so you
can learn and understand and grow in your spiritual life, so that you can come
to the full knowledge of Christ, so that you can fulfill your meaning and
purpose in life as God intended for you, and so you can qualify for a
phenomenal eternal reward which you will have forever.
To
ignore this opportunity to pursue a daily study means you will be incomplete,
unfulfilled and you will lose out, big time.
The
Daily Bible Study is online, making it possible as never before in all of human
history, to advance in ones relationship with God, through Christ, and to complete
yourself beyond your imagination.
But
you have to decide to make that commitment.
No one else can study for you.
You have to do that yourself.
