Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 7 · Section 2
2. The Argument, Method, and Parts.
IN this Chapter the Apostle sheweth how we are freed and exempted from the seruice of the law, yet so, as that he commendeth the law in it selfe, and deliuereth it from all blame, laying the imputation vponupon his owne weaknes and infirmitie, where he taketh occasion to shew the combate betweene the flesh and the spirit.
This Chapter then hath three parts. 1. he sheweth how we are deliuered from the law, to v. 7. 2. he excuseth and commendeth the law, to v. 14. 3. he sheweth the infirmitie that remaineth in the regenerate and the combate betweene the flesh and the spirit.
1. In the first part the Apostle sheweth that we are not freed and discharged from the morall obedience of the law, but from the seruitude and bondage thereof, in respect of the curse, and irritation and prouocation to sinne: this is set forth by an allegorie, taken from the lawe of matrimonie: the proposition is contained, v. 1.2. 3. consisting of three parts: like as the woman is 1. free from her husband when he is dead, v. 2. 2. after his death she may take an other husband, and therein is no adultresse, v. 2. 3. the third is implyed; that she may also bring forth by an other: the reddition followeth, which hath three correspondent parts: so we are 1. dead to the law. 2. we are married to Christ. 3. to bring forth fruit vntounto him, v. 4. this last part is amplified by the contrarie, that as sinne by the lawe did fructifie vntounto death, v. 5. so we now beeing freed, should fructifie vntounto the spirit, v. 6.
2. Then he taketh vponupon him the defense of the law; that whereas he had said, v. 5. that the matrons of sinne, which were by the Law, &c. did bring forth fruit vntounto death: hereupon two obiections might arise; that the lawe is the cause of sinne, and of death, to both which he answeareth.
The first obiection is propounded v. 7. is the law sinne? then he answereth, 1. in bringing a reason from the effect, that the law connot be sinne, nor the cause thereof, because it reuealeth and discouereth sinne, v. 7. 2. he sheweth how not the law, but sinne taking occasion by the law, wrought concupiscence, reuiued in him, deceiued him, and in the end slew him: all which he giueth instance of in his owne person, v. 8. to v. 12. 3. he sheweth what the law is in it selfe: iust and holy, v. 12. the second obiection followeth. v. 13. that it might seeme, that the law beeing good, wrought death in him: then the answer is, that not the lawe, but sinne by the lawe wrought death.
3. The Apostle in this third part sheweth first the combate betweene the flesh and the spirit, to v. 24. then the issue thereof, v. 24.25. the combate is set forth in three degrees. 1. in that he by sinne is brought to doe that euill which he would not; where he sheweth the opposition betweene the lawe commanding, and his will consenting: and sinne ouerruling him, and his flesh obeying, v. 14. to v. 18. 2. the next degree is, that he is hindered by sinne from doing the good which he would: this is prounded v. 18. then prooued by the contrarie effects, v. 19. and by the contrarie causes: the lawe moouing to good, whereunto he consenteth, and sinne hindring him, v. 20.21. 3. the third degree consisteth in his delight and ioying in good in his inner man: but he is captiued by the lawe of his members vntounto sinne, v. 22.23.
The issue is this: first he desireth and expecteth to be deliuered from this spirituall bondage and captiuitie, ver. 24. secondly he giueth thanks for this freedome in Christ, that he is not yet wholly captiued vntounto sinne, but in his spirit he serueth the lawe of God.