A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 44 Chapter 7:8 – 11

1. Verse 8 “But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
1. We saw in verse 7 a question asked; “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid…” Since the law shows us our sins and need of a Saviour, does not make the law bad or sinful. Sin is the result of breaking the law not sin itself, it is God’s law.
2. Paul concluded verse 7 with; “…I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” Again explaining the school master factor.
3. Verse 8 starts with “But sin, taking occasion by the commandment…” it is believed that this is talking about the commandment in verse 7 “…Thou shalt not covet.”

a. The word “occasion” here means - an opportunity – So what Paul is saying is that while the law is not in itself sin, it delivers an opportunity for sin. I like to look at it this way; tell the natural man not to do something normally means he will do it. He does it because man by his sinful nature has an evil streak and therefore will break law. Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

b. Therefore we can say that the law will excite and cause man to sin. However it is not sin.

4. Paul goes further and says; “…wrought in me all manner of concupiscence…”

a. The word “concupiscence” means – sinful lust – Paul is saying the law caused him to desire to break the law because of the natural mans desire to break the law.

b. However it is this lust that the law caused in him that brought him to Christ as a sinner. While it does cause lust to break it, it also causes us to see our sins.

c. We by nature desire that which is forbidden. Proverbs 9:17 “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

d.

5. “…For without the law sin was dead.”

a. The word dead does not mean that sin does not exist, we know that sin existed before the law. Adam sinned, Cain sinned, the people before the flood sinned, and etc.

b. The word “dead” means - to die off – but comes from the Greek word meaning - reversal - which means to us [without the law sin goes without notice or knowledge of, in other words if a speed limit was 60mph and you did not know it was 60mph then if you were going 70mph you would not know you were breaking the law. Even though you thought you were right you were still wrong. This is what Paul is saying just because God had not said to Cain “Thou Shalt Not Murder” did not make it right, it was still sin.

2. Verse 9 “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.”
1. “For I was alive without the law once…” This does not mean that Paul’s life before his visit with Jesus was righteous, but rather Paul believed his actions were justified and righteous until he found out he was wrong.

a. Paul is saying “just because I believed it to be just did not make it just. Philippians 3:4-6 “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: (5.) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; (6.) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” – But he was not, he was persecuting the Church of Christ.

b. Paul went of to proclaim Acts 23:1 “And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

c. Paul thought he knew the law of God and did to please God, until Jesus told him he was wrong.

2. “…but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.” – “but when the commandment came” or when Jesus visited with me then sin came alive or “sin revived” and “I died.” Or saw myself as the rotten worm I truly was. Then salvation came to me.
2. Verse 10 “And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.”
1. “And the commandment, which was ordained to life…” – or the commandments he thought would bring life eternal or the acts against the church and the hate against Christ he thought would bring life, he found to be sin rather than commandments of God.

a. Acts of any law, even the act of living the law of God will not bring life eternal and Paul came to understand this. Galatians 3:21 “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”

b. Eternal life is not in works of any laws but rather through Christ Jesus. John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

2. “…which was ordained to life…” Or what the Jewish people thought was ordained to life, was really death in eternal hell “…I found to be unto death.”
3. Paul continues in verse 11 “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.” - I was wrong and the law I though would bring me to eternal life killed me.