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by Howard Watson
In this chapter Paul writes of the binding conditions of Israel
under the law of God as written through Moses. Moses wrote for the
people of Israel in God/Jehovah's covenant with them as His particular
people to bring the Christ/Lord into the world to save not only
Israel but all who would believe upon God through Christ Jesus.
Here, in verses one through six, Paul shows that the law was binding
upon people until Christ Jesus died for the fulfillment of the law's
demand. That is: the wages of sin is death. Christ died to pay sin's
debt in our behalf/stead. Death and Hades/sheol ruled over all mankind
from Adam until Christ Jesus. The problem with all of us, Jews or
not, is our Adamic carnal/fleshly ("sarki" Gk. from "sarks"
the human body, human nature, human frame). See 7:5-25. Our fleshly
carnal nature is sinful in its works/life which cannot please God.
The law of God condemns sin in our carnal lives. Our whole personal
views are dictated by our Adamic nature, which is fallen and cannot
truly please God in works of true righteousness. Only one sin proves
the hold of sin upon us, as the law will condemn us in our sin.
In our minds we agree that the law of God is good and holy, but
within our sinful carnal nature we are fallen and unrighteous. Without
Christ Jesus freeing us from this bondage of/to sin, we are in a
miserable state/condition. See verses thirteen through twenty-four.
Verse twenty-five leads into the blessedness of chapter eight. "Thanks
("karis"Gk. from "kairo" to be glad, to rejoice;
our word grace "karis" Gk. also comes from this root word)
be to God, through Christ Jesus...." |
