Foundations of Grace A STUDY IN THE BOOK OF ROMANS For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Lesson 10 Romans 1:16,17 Wretched man Romans 7:13-25 In our previous lesson Paul has made it plain that the risen Christ, and not the law is the believer s rule of life. The law has a God-given purpose: To make people fully conscious of their sin and show them how much they need God s forgiving grace. Paul used himself as the example, stating that if it were not for the law he would not have realized the repeated tendency or depth of his sin. And, just like Paul, no matter how well intentioned we may be, none of us can successfully live by the standards of the law. It is not the law, but rather sin that condemns us. The law itself is good and holy, given to point us to God; but once we recognize sin by the law, the desire to do it further is aroused in us by the command not to do it. In verse 15 Paul says: For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. How is it possible to desire to do what is right and yet still do what is wrong? Paul says that as a Christian, redeemed by the grace of God, there is now something within him, his New nature, that agrees with the Law and wants to do good. But at the same time, there is something else within him, his Old nature, that rises up and says No! Even though Paul wants to do good, his resolve collapses and he sins. He comes to the conclusion that this struggle must go on through life, and finally cries out in anguish, O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Sin deceives us and the Law comes in, opens our eyes, and exposes sin for what it truly is. Once we finally see how wretched sin makes us, we are ready to receive God s prescription for sin. At that point, we can say with Paul: Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:25 Romans 7:13-25 Read the passage without interruption. If possible, read it again from a different translation. 10-1
Romans 7:13-20 13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. Memory Verse: Romans 7:24,25 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, But with the flesh the law of sin. 10-2
OBSERVATION - Finding the literal facts or most obvious details of the passage. (begin observation by asking the questions who, what, where, when, why and how.) Verses 13-20 INTERPRETATION - Discovering the lessons or meaning of God s instruction to His people.(try to place yourself with these people, in their circumstances, at this time of Bible history Verse 13-20 APPLICATION - Applying the lessons and meaning of God s instructions to His people. (Apply the lesson or lessons you found in the interpretation section in the form of a question) Verse 13-20 10-3
Romans 7:21-25 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Memory Verse: Romans 7:24,25 O man that I am! Who will me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, But with the the law of sin. 10-4
OBSERVATION - Finding the literal facts or most obvious details of the passage. (begin observation by asking the questions who, what, where, when, why and how.) Verses 21-25 INTERPRETATION - Discovering the lessons or meaning of God s instruction to His people.(try to place yourself with these people, in their circumstances, at this time of Bible history Verse 21-25 APPLICATION - Applying the lessons and meaning of God s instructions to His people. (Apply the lesson or lessons you found in the interpretation section in the form of a question) Verse 21-25 10-5
Key Words and Phrases Key words and phrases help us understand the main point the writer wanted to make. How do we recognize key words and phrases? Here are some simple things to look for. When a word or phrase is repeated, you can be sure Paul is using it to make his point. In Romans, Paul frequently quotes Old Testament scripture to support his point. You may find some key words there. If you are unfamiliar with a word or its meaning, it becomes a key word for you. Take time to learn the definition so you will understand how it is being used in the sentence. List any key words and phrases you found in Romans 7:13-25. Write the definition of the following words and or phrases. Use a regular dictionary or a Bible concordance with Greek Dictionary if you have one. spiritual (vs. 14) carnal or of flesh (vs. 14) dwells in me (vs. 17,18,20) 10-6
God s Word Bearing Fruit 1.If we cannot expect anything good from the fleshly nature, are there any good non-christians? Explain your answer. 2.Was there ever a time in your life prior to trusting Christ when you tried to turn over a new leaf, to change your life for the better? How did it turn out? Memory Verse: Romans 7:24,25 O man that I am! Who will me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the I myself the law of God, But with the the law of sin. 10-7
Study Notes 10-8