1. Sunday in the Word Letter to the Romans No More Condemnation
February 5, 2017
Unit 2, Study 10
Study Texts: Romans 7:1-8:11

2. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
Romans, Paul’s greatest work, his longest epistle, placed first among his 13 epistles, was probably his last letter, written between AD, from Corinth, as he was preparing to go to Jerusalem to deliver the offering taken for the needy Christians there.
He has a well developed theology at this point in his life, and records the most systematic presentation of doctrine in the Bible.
It’s his most complete statement of the gospel—I am not ashamed of the gospel…for it is the power of god unto salvation…Rom 1:16-17
“Paul would have gone to the stake for it” RT Kendall

3. Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey

4. Letter to the Romans
We will be studying the Book of Romans for several weeks
It is one of the most detailed studies of salvation we will find in Scripture—The Roman Road
Paul explains what it means to be a Christian, how a person becomes a Christian, and how to live as a Christian
It is a deep, meaty book dealing with important theological issues of salvation by grace through Christ and challenging our intellect
It is also an extremely practical book, providing clear instruction on unity, compassion, forgiveness and Spirit-empowered living.

5. No More Condemnation Key Verse: Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (KJV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (NIV)
Focus: To understand the antidote to sin and live according to the Spirit of God
Central Truth: Christ sets believers free from the law of sin and death

6. The Joy of Spiritual Liberation
Romans 7 teaches us the joy of spiritual liberation
Paul is writing to instruct the believers in Rome concerning the purpose of the law, its relationship to Christians and the dangers of legalism
Legalism might be defined as keeping the Law, or doing good works as a means of obtaining God’s favor
Legalism can still appeal to Christians today
Romans 7 presents the liberating freedom God offers everyone—a freedom the Holy Spirit enables every believer to experience

7. Death to Bondage Romans 7:1-3 (NIV)
No More Obligation to the Law
7 Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. 3 So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

8. No More Obligation to the Law
Paul is speaking to those who know the law (V 1)
Paul compared the Law to the deceased husband in the example given (V 1-2)
A person cannot be united to Christ and enjoy the blessings of His promises until that person is dead to the Law (V 3)
In reference to Paul’s example, what has to ‘die’ in order for us to wed, or united to Christ?

9. Christ Frees from the Law Romans 7:4-6 (NIV)
4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh,[a] the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
[a] In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.

10. Christ Frees From the Law
How does new life in Christ affect a Christian’s relationship with the law?
Paul applies his illustration drawn from marriage to his readers. They had died to the law and become free from its obligations
They now belonged to Jesus, just as the widow in V 2-3 belonged to her new husband
As a result of belonging to Christ, they (and we) are “dead to the Law” (V 4 KJV)

11. Christ Frees From the Law
Furthermore, this new life in Christ gave them (us) the freedom to live for Christ
Released from the bondage of the law, they (we), now lived free
Paul is helping the Christians in Rome grasp the freedom that God wants every believer to experience
Every Christian experiences the same freedom through a relationship with Christ
John 8:36 King James Version (KJV)
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

12. Christ Frees From the Law
What do you think Paul meant in saying that the Law aroused sinful passions of the flesh?
5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. (NIV Romans 7:5)
5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. (KJV Romans 7:5)

13. Christ Frees From the Law
Paul makes a strong contrast between those who live under sin’s power and those who live in the freedom Jesus provides
Under the influence of fallen human nature, the Law actually arouses the sinful passions it prohibited, leading to spiritual death (V 5)
Our natural human nature is rebellion—to seek out that which is forbidden
Paul then notes that those who die to the rule of the Law will experience a new way of living, guided by the Holy Spirit, who helps them resist the urge to return to the bondage of legalism (V 6)

14. Christ Frees From the Law
In what sense can the dangers of following the Law apply to Christians today?

15. Legalism Legalism can still be an issue in our lives today
Simply defined, Legalism is the belief that salvation is earned; “To view our own goodness and good works as responsible for the grace of God in our lives.”
Legalism cannot make anyone right with God (Romans 3:20-23)
Legalism is dangerous because it attempts to place ourselves in a position of earning God’s goodness and blessings
Legalism can be substituted for holiness, which is essential for all Christians (Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:13-16, 2 Corinthians7:1)

16. Legalism VS Freedom Do we have to or do we get to?
Through faith in Christ, we find what we cannot find in human effort: Salvation
In Salvation, we gain what good works and adherence to godly standards cannot: freedom

17. The Law Cannot Free the Sinner Romans 7:7-12 (NIV)
7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”[a] 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
[a] Exodus 20:17; Deut. 5:21

18. Paul’s Question Is the Law the sinful? Certainly Not! (V 7)
Instead, the Law revealed sin, exposing carnal human desires, exemplified in the 10th commandment (V 7)
Humanity responded to sin’s prohibitions of sin by craving sinful activity (V 8)
The Law revealed right and wrong, prompting people to gravitate toward the wrong
What do you think Paul meant when he said he was previously alive without the Law (V 9)?

19. Paul’s Question
Paul was alive without the Law, because sin was dead, He was not aware of what sin was (V 8)
Previously Paul only recognized outward regulations and followed them religiously as a Pharisee (Philippians 3:6)
After his conversion, he grasped the deceptive nature of sin, and realized what sin against God really is (V 10-11)
The Law had acted as a schoolmaster, leading him to Christ ( Galatians 3:24-25)

20. The Law is Just Why would the Law be considered holy, just
(or righteous, NIV) and good (V 7) when it cannot
save?

21. The Law is Just
The Law is holy because it comes from God and instructs us as to what sin is
The Law is just, or righteous, because it condemns sin
The Law is good because its ultimate aim is to bring life (V 10)

22. Freedom Only Through Jesus Romans 7:13-14 (NIV)
13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.

23. Paul’s Subsequent Question
Did this Law he had just described as good become death to him? Certainly Not! (V 13)
The key to understanding the answer is found in the nature of the Law (V 14)
The Law is spiritual, but we are carnal (KJV) or unspiritual (NIV)
Paul then describes the difficulty this placed him in (V 15-20)

24. Freedom Only Through Jesus Romans 7:15-20 (NIV)
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
[a] Or my flesh

25. Paul’s Predicament
In spite of his best intentions at being good, he found that evil was constantly present in his life, and he was incapable of conquering it.
In what sense does Romans 7:15-20 apply to us as Christians, as well as to those who are lost and trying to earn salvation?
Scholars debate whether Paul is describing his life before conversion or after
Many scholars concur that it describes someone struggling to overcome sin and find salvation through personal effort

26. Freedom Only Through Jesus Romans 7:21-25 (NIV)
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature[a] a slave to the law of sin.
[a] Or in the flesh

27. Our Predicament
We all struggle with our sin nature, even after our conversion
What Paul described in himself reflects the struggle facing every person who tries to gain God’s acceptance through personal effort (V 21-24)
This truth is universal: When we try to be holy and acceptable to God through our own strength, we will fail miserably
Instead of finding inner freedom, we find ourselves frustrated, crying “Who shall deliver me?” (V 24 KJV)

28. Paul’s Victorious Answer
Romans 7:25 New International Version (NIV)
25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!(A)
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law,(B) but in my sinful nature[a] a slave to the law of sin.(C)
[a] Or in the flesh
Cross references: (A) 2 Corinthians 2:14; (B) Romans 6:22; (C) Romans 6:16
Only God, through Jesus Christ can deliver a person from sin

29. Victory Through the Spirit Romans 8:1-4 (NIV)
The Spirit Frees from Condemnation
8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
[a] The Greek is singular; some manuscripts me
[b] In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the
sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in
opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 4-13.
[c] Or flesh, for sin

30. Victory Through the Spirit Romans 8:1-4 (KJV)
The Spirit Frees from Condemnation
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

31. Victory Through the Spirit
The Spirit Frees from Condemnation
The frustration Paul expressed in chapter 7 turns to hope in chapter 8
Through Christ, we are released from the bondage of sin to enjoy the freedom from sin and condemnation, that we can enjoy life as Christ intends (V 1-2)
John 10:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

32. Victory Through the Spirit
The Spirit Frees from Condemnation
What do you think Paul means when he says “to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”? (V 1, 4 KJV)

33. Victory Through the Spirit
This freedom comes through the work of the Holy Spirit, setting us free from the power of sin
This “law of the Spirit” is more powerful than the law of sin and death (V 3)
Jesus accomplishes what the Law cannot (V 3)
Through the grace made available in Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can experience lives of righteousness (V 4)
,”who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”? (V 1, 4 KJV)

34. Victory Through the Spirit Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)
Holy Spirit Provides Life
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

35. Paul’s Explanation Life in the Spirit
Paul explains that the Holy Spirit enables believers to experience victory over sinful desires
Those who continue to live under the influence of sinful desires will only fulfill those desires, while those who live according to the Spirit receive power to live for God (V 5)
The Holy Spirit provides us with life instead of death (V 6)
Those who strive to win favor with God through the Law/legalism, are at odds with Him (V 7)
Because our human nature, dominated by sin cannot please God (V 8)

36. Victory Through the Spirit Romans 8:9-11 (NIV)
Holy Spirit Provides Life
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life [a] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of [b] his Spirit who lives in you.
[a] Or you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive
[b] Some manuscripts bodies through

37. Holy Spirit Provides Life
Paul notes that the Spirit of God dwelling in us makes us His (V 9)
The Spirit gives us life by making us righteous before God (V 10)
Paul also notes that the Spirit brings about the resurrection from the dead (V 11)
Romans 8:11New International Version (NIV)  And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of [a] his Spirit who lives in you.
[a] Some manuscripts bodies through

38. Flesh vs Spirit Contrasted
What words would you use to describe the contrast between living according to sinful desires (flesh) and living by the Spirit?
Bondage vs Freedom
Condemnation vs Justification
Conflict vs Blessing
Death vs Life

39. Practical Application
Paul’s teachings in Romans 7-8 serve as a call for every believer to examine our lives
Do we strive to serve Him by following a set of “ rules, of do’s and don’ts”?
Is legalism ruling us?
Conversely, are we serving God out of a sincere love for, and faith in, Him?
Do we walk in His Spirit’s power and influence, living in His freedom as he intended for us?
If so, we have chosen the road Paul pointed to in Romans 7-8

40. Acknowledgements Material adapted from
Radiant Life: Adult Teacher Guide
Dec-Jan-Feb Unit 2, Letter to the Romans
Volume 91 Number 2
Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO 65802
@2016 ISSN
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International NIV, Copyright 1973 Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
All Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version of the bible.

41. Sunday in the Word Letter to the Romans No More Condemnation
February 5, 2017
Unit 2, Study 10
Study Texts: Romans 7:1-8:11