In previous verses, Paul taught that sinful passions in us are stimulated by the Mosaic (Old Testament) Law. But Paul clarifies, beginning in verse 7, that the Law is not sinful itself. Instead, the Law brings us knowledge of what sin is.
Paul uses the 10th commandment as an example, and it’s an especially good one. The command not to covet is the only one of the Ten Commandments that could have been broken without any outward behavior. Without explicit instruction, it would be very easy to assume that thoughts are not actually sinful.
The Law draws a line, distinguishing for us the difference between good and evil. But the sinful nature we are each born with naturally moves against obedience to God, and so the instruction from the Law results in even more sinful behavior. Those who are ignorant of the Law are not guilty of sin to the same degree that those who know the Law are. (v.8 and Romans 5:13)
At one point in Paul’s life (and everyone’s for that matter) he felt a degree of life and freedom, doing whatever we wanted, since he didn’t understand the difference between good and evil. But when he became aware of God’s standard for living and that he was being held accountable to live out that standard, Paul’s sinful nature was stimulated and took control of his life, while Paul himself “died” in a sense, condemned to suffer the “wages of sin”(6:23). (v.9)
Because of the sinful nature we are born with, the Law ultimately results in death for us(apart from Christ). Although if not for our inherited sin nature, the Law would be a source of life. The Greek word “Zoe” is used again here for “life”, meaning that the Law is meant to be a source of the best that Christ has to offer. The Law reveals God’s character to us, because it tells us what he values. The Law gives us instructions that result in a more fulfilled and happy life. If our sin didn’t make it impossible for us to obey it, the Law would be something we would all be thrilled about! (v.10)
But the sinful nature all humans have fools us into thinking that sin is not evil. We follow our desires in the short-term, resulting in eternal death in the long term. (v.11)
The Mosaic Law and God’s other commands in the Old Testament are holy. (Meaning they are purposed for God’s grand design.) They are perfectly in line with God’s standards and useful to God’s plan. (v.12)
To be clear, it is sin, not God’s Law, that is the ultimate cause of eternal death for humanity. And even though the Law stimulates a desire to sin, the Law also clearly defines and brings sin to our attention, even showing how sin goes so far as to manipulate good things (like the Law) toward a corrupted end. The Law shows how evil sin really is! (v.13)
In this way, the Law identifies our extreme need for salvation, motivating us to seek it out in Christ.
Galatians 3:23-25- “Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,”
Next Week- The Conflict Within All Christians
Coffee House Question- In what way has the Old Testament Law been a source of discouragement to you? In what way has it been a source of “life” for you?
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