Bible Study Snacks, Romans 7:1-12

Hi, everyone!

Thank you so much for joining me again as we continue our journey through the Book of Romans. I hope your week has been going well. This time, we will be studying Chapter 7 verses 1-12. As always, it's my most sincere hope that you find these Bible Study Snacks helpful and spiritually enlightening in your walk with God.

Each week, before moving on with our study, we briefly review the scripture that was discussed during our last meeting together. I really feel that doing this helps prepare us for our current study. I hope you agree!

In review, we last learned that...

We become slaves to that which we obey, either sin or God. But Paul was grateful that the Romans had begun to obey God and were free to become His servants. Also, how important it was that they continue to do so is to be seen in the outcome of serving sin contrasted to serving God. Serving sin earns death, but in serving God one receives the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus!

This week in summary...

Paul has just completed discussing how being baptized into Christ makes us dead to sin and free to present our bodies as instruments of righteousness unto holiness. For the benefit of his Jewish readers (those who know the Law), he now carries the concept of death and freedom one step further: the Jewish believers become dead to the Law that they might be joined to Christ. He illustrates his point by referring to the marital relationship. The result of being freed from the Law is that they might "serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter."

To prevent his Jewish readers from thinking he is implying that the Law was sinful, Paul is quick to reject that idea. The Law, he says, is "holy and just and good." The problem is that the Law only makes known that which is sinful, but sin took opportunity by the commandment to produce evil desire and deceived him, resulting in death.


Let’s pray:

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Carefully read through Romans 7:1-12. Here again, I must stress the word “carefully” because if you aren’t “careful” you will miss Paul’s point. Let Paul speak to you through his writings as if he were right there with you, sharing his story in person.

This week’s study questions:

1. Paul begins chapter 7 by diving into some legal principles. What principle is stated in Romans 7:1?
2. What example does he give in Romans 7:2?
3. What two cases does Paul give to further clarify the example in verse 2 (see Romans 7:3)?
4. How does he apply this second case to our Christian lives (Romans 7:4)?
5. We are free from the power of the Law but in that process become bound to another. Who is that (Romans 7:4)?
6. What result does that new relationship have upon our lives (Romans 7:4)?
7. Well then, what was the result or fruit of that old relationship to the Law (Romans 7:5)?
8. Why did that old relationship to the law bring about such terrible effects on lives (5)?
9. Go back to verses 7:1-2 and review the proper way to be released from the legal contract. Fill in the wonderful consequences of believing in Christ and being freed from the Law (6). “... so that we serve in the _________________________.”
“...and not (serve) in the ___________________________.”
10. If this is the case (see verses 1-6), does this mean that the Law is sinful (Romans 7:7)?
11. What example does Paul give to show us that the Law is not sin (Romans 7:7)?
12. Read Exodus 20:17. What is coveting?
13. Is it a sinful heart or the commandment (the Law) that produced covetousness (Romans 7:8)?
14. Is it true during part of our lives that Paul and ourselves are free from the Law (Romans 7:9)? __________
15. What stage in our life might that be? (No answer in the text).
16. What is the intent of the commandment (Romans 7:10)?
17. What did sin do through the commandment (Romans 7:11)?
18. Write down the adjectives describing the Law and commandment in Romans 7:12.

Lastly, after answering the study questions, re-read Romans 7:1-12. Take your time and read each question and verse as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you might see something new that you overlooked the first time around.

As we journey through our studies together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri