All Manner of Concupiscence Romans 7:8

Paul the apostle asked the people in Rome,“What shall we say then? Is the law sin?”, and he answered, “God forbid”. He added, “No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet.” In chapter seven and verse eight of Romans, Paul told his readers how “sin” worked in him, “all manner of concupiscence” where we read:

But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.

For without the law sin was dead.

The verse begins, “But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.” Paul began with the words, “but sin” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, moreover missing the mark, error and being mistaken”, “taking occasion” which means “laying hold of and carrying away an opportunity” “by the commandment” or “through and by means of the order, charge, precept and injunction”, “wrought in me” or “performed, accomplished, achieved and fashioned within Paul” “all manner of” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone” “concupiscence” or “desire, lust, craving and longing for what is forbidden”. Paul shared how “sin” or “missing the mark that produces behavior disapproved by God” seized the “opportunity” to manifest all the “desires and cravings” that were within him.

The verse goes on to say, “For without the law sin was dead.” Paul continued with the words, “for” or “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “without the law” which means “not having the rule producing a state approved of God” “sin” or “missing the mark, erring and being mistaken” “was dead” or “deceased, departed, destitute of life and inanimate”. Paul shared where there was no “rule producing a state approved of God”, “sin” or “missing the mark” was not “exposed or revealed”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how “God's law” revealed the “desires, cravings and longings for what is forbidden” within Paul. This is the “effect” of “the law”. It exposes the reality of “sin” within a person's life, and when “sin” is revealed and the penalty for that “sin” is death, a person should desire “rescue” or “salvation” from it. Jesus Christ came to the earth and lived a “sinless” life, and yet, He paid the price for the “sin” of everyone who lives. Now because “the law of God” unveils “sin”, all that is necessary to have a relationship with God is to “confess”, “repent”, ask forgiveness and receive Jesus as “Savior and Lord”. All manner of “concupiscence” or “desire for what is forbidden” shall be replaced by a “desire” to be pleasing to God.

Next time Paul tells his readers how he was, “without the law once”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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