Lesson 15
Romans 7:7-25
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Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
... So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Romans 7:25
We've learned already in our study of Romans that believers, having died to sin, are released from the law to serve God in the new life of the Spirit. Paul now goes on to show that though we are dead to sin, sin is still close at hand.
Read Romans 7:7-12
1) What does Paul say about the relationship between the law and sin?
2) Describe sin apart from the law.
3) We've already learned in Romans that all men are born sinful. What do you think Romans 7:9-10 means that when the commandment came, sin came alive? See Romans 3:19-20; and Romans 10:5 for help.
How often has sin been aroused in us because of a commandment. Upon hearing even the smallest command, such as "Do not touch," the desire to do the forbidden thing is curiously stirred in us.
4) What argument does Paul use in Romans 7:7-12 to show that the law is holy?
Read Romans 7:13-20
5) Summarize the conflict Paul describes in Romans 7:13-20?
6a) What does Paul say about the nature of the law and of man (verse 14)?
b) Do you think Paul is talking about his life before Christ or his present experience? Explain.
7) Galatians 5:16-17 and James 4:1 echo Romans 7:13-20. What do these verses teach about sinful desire?
8) Why, in our natural selves, do we not have the ability to be righteous? Give verses.
9) Paul offers supernatural help for a natural battle. What remedy does Paul offer in this struggle against sin?
10) How does being crucified with Christ relate to living by the Spirit?
11) We learned previously that we are buried with Christ in baptism and have therefore died to sin. Why do you think believers still struggle with sin even though we have already died to sin and have been raised in newness of life?
Read Romans 7:21-25
12) Not only do we have sinful desires, we also have an adversary. What do you learn from these verses about the believer's enemy and his intentions?
13) Just as Satan tempted our Lord, so he tempts us. What do you learn about temptation from the following verses?
Have you ever exclaimed with Paul, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Struggling with sin can be frustrating and discouraging but our hope is the same as Paul's. "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
14) Taking into account everything we have learned thus far, how do you understand Paul's statement in Romans 7:25 that with his mind he serves the law of God but with his flesh he serves the law of sin?
15) What old habits of the old man are you putting to death and how does hope of deliverance in Christ encourage you as you seek to walk in the Spirit?
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Romans 7:7-25
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
... So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Romans 7:25
We've learned already in our study of Romans that believers, having died to sin, are released from the law to serve God in the new life of the Spirit. Paul now goes on to show that though we are dead to sin, sin is still close at hand.
Read Romans 7:7-12
1) What does Paul say about the relationship between the law and sin?
2) Describe sin apart from the law.
3) We've already learned in Romans that all men are born sinful. What do you think Romans 7:9-10 means that when the commandment came, sin came alive? See Romans 3:19-20; and Romans 10:5 for help.
How often has sin been aroused in us because of a commandment. Upon hearing even the smallest command, such as "Do not touch," the desire to do the forbidden thing is curiously stirred in us.
4) What argument does Paul use in Romans 7:7-12 to show that the law is holy?
Read Romans 7:13-20
5) Summarize the conflict Paul describes in Romans 7:13-20?
6a) What does Paul say about the nature of the law and of man (verse 14)?
b) Do you think Paul is talking about his life before Christ or his present experience? Explain.
7) Galatians 5:16-17 and James 4:1 echo Romans 7:13-20. What do these verses teach about sinful desire?
8) Why, in our natural selves, do we not have the ability to be righteous? Give verses.
9) Paul offers supernatural help for a natural battle. What remedy does Paul offer in this struggle against sin?
- Galatians 2:20
- Galatians 5:16
- Colossians 3:5-10
10) How does being crucified with Christ relate to living by the Spirit?
11) We learned previously that we are buried with Christ in baptism and have therefore died to sin. Why do you think believers still struggle with sin even though we have already died to sin and have been raised in newness of life?
Read Romans 7:21-25
12) Not only do we have sinful desires, we also have an adversary. What do you learn from these verses about the believer's enemy and his intentions?
- John 10:10
- 1 Peter 5:8
13) Just as Satan tempted our Lord, so he tempts us. What do you learn about temptation from the following verses?
- James 1:13-15
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
Have you ever exclaimed with Paul, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Struggling with sin can be frustrating and discouraging but our hope is the same as Paul's. "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
14) Taking into account everything we have learned thus far, how do you understand Paul's statement in Romans 7:25 that with his mind he serves the law of God but with his flesh he serves the law of sin?
15) What old habits of the old man are you putting to death and how does hope of deliverance in Christ encourage you as you seek to walk in the Spirit?
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
