Romans 7:12 - Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.
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What does "Romans 7:12" mean?
Romans 7:12, "Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good," is a crucial verse in understanding Paul's complex argument about the role of the Law in the Christian life. Let's break down what it means:
"Therefore": This connects this statement to the preceding verses. Paul has been discussing his internal struggle with sin, even though he knows what is right. He's building a case that the problem isn't the Law itself, but the power of sin residing within him (and all humans before Christ).
"the law indeed is holy": "Holy" means set apart, consecrated to God, and morally perfect. Paul is emphasizing that the Law originates from God and reflects His character. It's not something flawed or evil.
"and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good": This reinforces the previous point, emphasizing the nature of the Law. Let's look at these terms:
Holy: As above, set apart for God, morally pure.
Righteous: Conforming to God's standard of justice and what is right. The Law reflects God's perfect standard of conduct.
Good: Beneficial, producing positive outcomes, and in accordance with God's will. The Law, if followed, would lead to blessing and a harmonious relationship with God and others.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The Law is not the problem. It's not inherently bad or flawed.
The Law is a reflection of God's own holy, righteous, and good nature.
The Law represents a perfect standard of behavior that is desirable and beneficial.
Context is Key:
It's important to understand this verse in the broader context of Romans 7, and indeed the entire book. Paul isn't arguing that the Law is useless. He's arguing that:
1. The Law reveals sin: It shows us our shortcomings and our inability to perfectly obey God's commands.
2. The Law cannot save us: While the Law is good, righteous, and holy, it cannot empower us to overcome sin or earn God's favor. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. We are now under grace: Through Christ, believers are freed from the condemnation of the Law (but that does not mean we are freed from obeying the spirit of the Law or that the Law is no longer important). We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that pleases God, not out of obligation to the Law, but out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done.
In Summary:
Romans 7:12 is a statement affirming the inherent goodness of God's Law. However, it is not an endorsement of legalism. It sets the stage for Paul's explanation of how, even though the Law is good, it cannot ultimately solve the problem of sin. The solution lies in the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
Romans 7:12 - Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.
What does "Romans 7:12" mean?
Romans 7:12, "Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good," is a crucial verse in understanding Paul's complex argument about the role of the Law in the Christian life. Let's break down what it means:
"Therefore": This connects this statement to the preceding verses. Paul has been discussing his internal struggle with sin, even though he knows what is right. He's building a case that the problem isn't the Law itself, but the power of sin residing within him (and all humans before Christ).
"the law indeed is holy": "Holy" means set apart, consecrated to God, and morally perfect. Paul is emphasizing that the Law originates from God and reflects His character. It's not something flawed or evil.
"and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good": This reinforces the previous point, emphasizing the nature of the Law. Let's look at these terms:
Holy: As above, set apart for God, morally pure.
Righteous: Conforming to God's standard of justice and what is right. The Law reflects God's perfect standard of conduct.
Good: Beneficial, producing positive outcomes, and in accordance with God's will. The Law, if followed, would lead to blessing and a harmonious relationship with God and others.
In essence, the verse is saying:
The Law is not the problem. It's not inherently bad or flawed.
The Law is a reflection of God's own holy, righteous, and good nature.
The Law represents a perfect standard of behavior that is desirable and beneficial.
Context is Key:
It's important to understand this verse in the broader context of Romans 7, and indeed the entire book. Paul isn't arguing that the Law is useless. He's arguing that:
1. The Law reveals sin: It shows us our shortcomings and our inability to perfectly obey God's commands.
2. The Law cannot save us: While the Law is good, righteous, and holy, it cannot empower us to overcome sin or earn God's favor. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. We are now under grace: Through Christ, believers are freed from the condemnation of the Law (but that does not mean we are freed from obeying the spirit of the Law or that the Law is no longer important). We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that pleases God, not out of obligation to the Law, but out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done.
In Summary:
Romans 7:12 is a statement affirming the inherent goodness of God's Law. However, it is not an endorsement of legalism. It sets the stage for Paul's explanation of how, even though the Law is good, it cannot ultimately solve the problem of sin. The solution lies in the grace of God through Jesus Christ.