The Commandment Found to Be unto Death Romans 7:10

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome he,“ was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died”, and in chapter seven and verse ten of Romans, Paul told his readers how “the commandment” he “found to be unto death” where we read:

And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

The verse begins, “And the commandment, which was ordained to life, ...” Paul began with the words, “and the commandment” which means “the order, charge, precept and injunction”, “which was ordained” which means “that was intended and supposed” “to life” or “real and genuine, active and vigorous living, which is devoted to God, blessed and in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.” Paul recognized how “God's commands” were “intended” to bring “life” to those who heard them.

The verse goes on to say, “... I found to be unto death.” Paul continued with the words, “I found” or “Paul discovered, examined, scrutinized, practiced and experienced” “to be unto death” which means “towards that separation (whether natural or violent) of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended”. Paul discovered that rather than bringing “life” to him, the “law of God” brought “death”.

When we meditate these words of Paul, we see how the intention of the “law of God” was to bring “life” to those who heard it, however, because the law exposed “sin” in their lives, “the law” brought “death” instead. God knew this, and gave His “law” so people would know their current sinful state was unacceptable to Him. They would know their need for a “Savior” who is Jesus, and when “sin” is revealed, the best action is to “repent of sins, ask for forgiveness and seek Jesus Christ” to be their personal “Savior and Lord”. The effect of “the law” was to show people “guilty” before God, and to reveal how they need Jesus to alter their path to eternal “death”.

Next time Paul tells his readers how, “sin...deceived” him, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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