Our True Freedom from the Law—Part 5
The Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law
Introduction
In my previous article, Our True Freedom from the Law—Part 4, we discovered that the Law has many functions, but the primary function of the Law is to ensure a long physical life to those who obey its commandments. However, there is one last function of the Law I’d like to introduce to you. This final function will be the one we focus on for the remainder of this series of articles, and it is by far the most consequential as well as the most misunderstood.
One Final Function of the Law
We read about this final, all-important function of the Law in Romans 5:20:
Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. (NKJV)
This verse tells us the Law was given so “that the offense might abound.” Please take a minute or two and really think about what Romans 5:20 is stating. Does anything seem strange to you about what this verse is stating? It has just informed us that one of the functions of Adonai’s Law is to make offenses abound! From the passage above we also learn that offenses abounding is equivalent to sin abounding. Therefore, can we not say one of the functions of the Law is to make offenses and sins to abound/increase? Yes, we can. That’s exactly what the verse is saying. I’d like to ask you a question, and I want you to answer it honestly. Has this verse ever caused you to think, “Why would Adonai give us a Law that causes offenses/sins to abound/increase?” Again, think about this carefully. Strange, isn’t it?
Let me ask you another question. Which societies or organizations make laws/rules so that offenses against those laws/rules and the breaking of those laws/rules increases? Hmm . . . Some of you have never chased this line of reasoning before. Yet isn’t this the line of reasoning that should naturally follow from such a passage? Shouldn’t we be extremely curious about such a concept, that Adonai intended for His Law to make offenses/sins to abound/increase? Hmm . . . It just doesn’t seem right, does it? Actually, it seems wrong! This isn’t right! Or is it? Yet, we’ve come to the exact conclusions we should come to. Now, let’s take this even one step further.
We just learned that the primary function of the Law is to ensure that those who keep it and obey it with all their heart live a long life. Now we’ve learned that another function of the Law is to cause offenses/sins to abound/increase when people keep the Law! What? Wait a minute. That’s about as contradictory as one can get! Do you see how these two functions of the Law are at odds with each other? Yes, they are. It is contradictory. Why would Adonai give us His Law which is supposed to be a blessing to us, and which is supposed to be the vehicle through which we obtain a long life on the earth, and then make it so that the very Law that’s supposed to bless us actually causes sin to increase within us? Somebody got some ‘splainin’ to do!
At this point, what do you want to do? Because it seems like the Bible is contradicting itself AGAIN! Should we reject one function and accept the other? How can these two functions of the Law coexist? The Law is meant to bless us and help us live a long life, but it’s also meant to make us sin more? Yikes! Well, don’t lose heart. Remember what we learned in the first introductory article to this series. Whenever the Bible seems to say two contradictory things you can bet one thing—the answer is “all of the above.” Both are true. The goal for us is simply to find out under which context is the one true and under which context is the other true?
As you can see, this seemingly negative function of the Law is clearly at odds with what I’ve defined as the primary function of the Law, in that this new function cause offenses/sins to abound/increase. For now, let’s just accept that no matter how negative this new function of the Law seems, and no matter how much it appears to be incompatible with the primary function of the Law, it is nevertheless true. Our next question should be, “Does Paul say anything else about this function of the Law?” And to our delight, he certainly does! As a matter of fact, Paul spends the remainder of Romans 6-7 specifically talking about this unusual function of the Law, going into the greatest of detail concerning the who, what, when, where, why, and how of this negative function of the Law.
Let’s dissect Romans 5:20 a little so we know what to look for. When one considers Romans 5:20, “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,” it certainly seems as if Paul has made an argument that one function of the Law is to cause sin to increase in people, doesn’t it? In other words, in some manner, the Law will cause offenses to abound, and sin to increase rather than decrease. So let’s take a trek through Romans 6–7 to see if we can find any other statements from Paul that line up with the basic premise that the Law will cause offenses/sins to abound/increase.
We don’t have to go far! Let’s take a look at Romans 7:5:
For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
Looks like a great match to me. Romans 5:20 and Romans 7:5 are saying the exact same thing, but in different ways. Romans 7:5 states that “the sinful passions which were aroused by the law” were at work within us. In Romans 5:20 we read about offenses/sins abounding/increasing, and in Romans 7:5 we read about sinful passions being aroused. And, more importantly, it is the Law that causes both effects! Basically, we’ve just learned that Romans 5:20 and Romans 7:5 are equivalent expressions, statements using different words but conveying the same basic concept. Let’s call it the ability for the Law to stir up sin, or the Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law. Another instance of thematic equivalence occurs in Romans 7:8a.
But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire . . .
Here it is again, another verse saying essentially the same thing as Romans 5:20. Notice how Romans 5:20 and Romans 7:8a are equivalent expressions, defining another function of the Law. In both verses the Law is producing an increase in sinful behavior or stirring up of sin. Next, let’s examine Romans 7:8a again:
But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire . . .
Notice how the commandment of Moses is once again at the center of increasing offenses/sins, because Paul says the commandment was responsible for producing in him “all manner of evil desire”! Obviously, we have found a strong thematic connection between Romans 5:20 and Romans 7:8a. These two verses also are equivalent expressions; different ways of saying the same thing. This same phenomenon occurs again in 7:11:
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.
Thus, Romans 7:11 and Romans 5:20 are equivalent expressions for this newly found function of the Law, whereby it causes sin to increase in people’s lives. Romans 7:13 is our last example:
Has then what is good (the Torah/Law) become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.
Romans 7:13 is also an equivalent expression for Romans 5:20. Both verses explain this negative function of the Law to stir up sin within someone. So let’s take inventory.
The Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law—Equivalent Expressions in Romans 5-7
Romans 5:20—Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound
Romans 7:5—the sinful passions which were aroused by the law
Romans 7:8a—by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire
Romans 7:8a—taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire
Romans 7:11—taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me
Romans 7:13—But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful
Amazing! Romans 5:20 is not an isolated concept! It’s mentioned specifically and consistently throughout Romans 5:20–7:25, six times to be exact. And those are just the specific mentions of the Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law. There are many ways we can infer that the subject is the Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law. For example, let’s look at Romans 5:20–6:2:
Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Romans 5:20 tells us the Law caused offenses/sins to abound/increase. Romans 5:21 tells us that the result of this compounding of sin and offenses was death. But it also tells us that as sin abounded through the Stirring up of Sin Effect, grace abounded much more. Now, notice what Paul asks in Romans 6:1 as he anticipates the carnal, immature argument someone may try to make that goes like this, “Well, if grace abounds more through the Law causing my offense to abound, why not just continue in sin?” To that Paul says, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” What’s most important though, is the fact that when Paul asks if we should continue in sin, he’s specifically talking about the type of sin occurring as a result of offenses abounding in Romans 5:20! Therefore Romans 6:1 is also a bona fide allusion to Romans 5:20! The fact is that 90% of the sin Paul is talking about in Romans 6-7 can be traced back to sin that results as a consequence of the Law’s ability to stir up sin through its commandments, which was introduced to us in Romans 5:20! Therefore, if we go through Romans 6–7 and tally up all the indirect allusions to sin aroused by the Roman 5:20 Stirring up of Sin Effect, then we’ll count at least thirty instances! So, thirty indirect allusions to Romans 5:20 and six direct mentions of equivalent expressions speaking of the Stirring up of Sin Effect equals thirty-six times within Romans 5:20–7:25 that this one function of the Law is mentioned!
At this point, I’d like to ask you a few questions. These questions refer to the different functions of the Law we learned about in Part 4 of this series.
Throughout Romans 5:20–7:25, is Paul primarily dealing with the function of the Law whereby it reveals Adonai’s character? No!
Throughout Romans 5:20–7:25, is Paul primarily dealing with the function of the Law whereby it sets Israel apart as a special nation? No!
Throughout Romans 5:20–7:25, is Paul primarily dealing with the function of the Law whereby it teaches Israel how to properly worship Adonai? No!
Throughout Romans 5:20–7:25, is Paul primarily dealing with the function of the Law whereby it teaches how to live a moral life? No!
Throughout Romans 5:20–7:25, is Paul primarily dealing with the function of the Law whereby it teaches us about the person and work of Messiah Yeshua? No!
Throughout Romans 5:20–7:25, is Paul primarily dealing with the function of the Law whereby it preserved the nation of Israel? No!
Throughout Romans 5:20–7:25, is Paul primarily dealing with the function of the Law whereby it teaches Israel how to live a holy lifestyle? No!
Throughout Romans 5:20–7:25, is Paul primarily dealing with the function of the Law whereby it ensures life for those who obey the commands? No!
Now, let me ask you one last simple question. Which function of the Torah does Paul have in mind throughout Romans 5:20–7:25? Well, with six specific mentions of the Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law, and thirty indirect allusions to the sin that abounds as a result of the Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law, I’d have to say that Paul is primarily dealing with one and only one specific function of the Law—its ability to stir up sin in a person’s life!
By the way, Paul also mentions this function of the Law in 1 Corinthians 15:56:
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
At this point I’d like to quash any final arguments that Romans 5:20–7:25 is concerned with any function other than the Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law. I want to acknowledge that Paul does specifically mention two other functions of the Law in this portion of his letter. In Romans 7:7-11:
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.
Paul mentions its function in defining the lifestyle of Adonai’s followers, its ability to define a righteous standard of behavior. However, that’s not the dominant theme in Romans 6–7. It’s mentioned only once because Paul does not want the seemingly negative aspects of the Law to influence people to think the Law itself was an issue! That’s why he asks, “Is the law sin,” but quickly answers, “Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ‘You shall not covet.’ ” Thus, this is an isolated mention of one of the functions of the Law, not the dominant topic being clarified in Romans 6-7.
Second of all, he mentions the function of the Law whereby those who obey its commandments can be assured a long life.
And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring
death (Romans 7:10).
Once again, he only brings up this function of the Law in order to explain the Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law. The proof? Let me ask you a question. Is Romans 6–7 dominated by this function of the Law whereby it ensures life to those who obey? No, it is not. Therefore, I’m emphatically suggesting that Paul has one supreme overarching topic in view in Romans 5:20–7:25, its ability to stir up sin and Adonai’s resolution of that problem! Now, we can add one more foundational truth that will help us understand what Paul meant when he said we are not under the Law. This is foundational truth number 4.
Foundations for Understanding the True Meanings of Paul’s
Statements Suggesting We Are No Longer Under the Law
#4—Which Function/Role/Purpose of the Law is Paul Referring to in Romans 5:20–7:25?— Romans 5:20–7:25 pertains to one function of the Law. Throughout Romans 5-7 Paul is specifically dealing with ONE limited function of the Torah, its ability to stir up sin in a person’s heart (The Stirring up of Sin Effect).
At this point I’d like to assure you that the Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law is not some new doctrine, as it was present in the Tanakh (Old Testament) even from the very beginning. Remember, the apostles used the Tanakh as the source for all their doctrines. Yes, I acknowledge the Apostolic Writings, but those became part of the canon much later. 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches us that the apostles founded and established congregations using the Tanakh. The foundational passage teaching us about the Stirring Up of Sin Effect is Genesis 4:3-7, the account of Cain’s anger with Abel after his sacrifice was rejected.
And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
We can make a number of thematic connections between the passage above and our current discussion concerning the Stirring Up of Sin Effect of the Law. First, notice how one sin begets another. The original sin was that Cain did not bring of his firstfruits. This led to his countenance falling. This led to anger. And, as you well know, his anger led to murder. At each stage, Cain was adding sin and more sin, until ultimately he killed his brother. Is this not a good example of Adonai’s commandment making someone become more sinful? What is the subject in verse seven? It’s sin. This is the subject Romans 5:20–7:25 revolves around, sin and how it affects people. Notice the personification of sin as though it were an enemy needing to be defeated. Does this sound familiar? It should, for as we read in Romans 5:21, “so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,” this is the exact paradigm Paul uses when he speaks of sin! Should this be surprising? Of course, not. For we have already discussed how the apostles used the Tanakh as their source of doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, it should not be surprising that Paul would have learned this important function of the Law, its Stirring Up of Sin Effect, from this foundational passage which uses the model of warfare to explain how sin interacts with a human. It’s described as a battle where sin is trying to rule and reign in the body, “sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” This should also sound familiar, for we read of similar language in Romans 6. Notice how closely Paul’s message to the believers in Rome parallels Adonai’s message to Cain!
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts (Romans 6:12).
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14).
But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered (Romans 6:17).
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regards to righteousness (Romans 6:20).
There are other passages in the Tanakh providing foundational material for the Stirring Up of Sin Effect of the Law. Isaiah 30:1, “‘Woe to the rebellious children,’ says the LORD, ‘Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;’ ” speaks of those who are rejecting Adonai’s commandments and becoming more sinful, as Paul states in Romans 7:13, “Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.”
Finally, it is clear that Paul’s teaching in Romans 6–7 was informed by Yeshua, for Paul has clearly been influenced by Yeshua’s doctrine. Paul used the phrase “slaves of sin” three times in Romans 6–7, “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.”
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” )John 8:34(.
When Does the Torah Function to Stir up Sin?
Let’s revisit our conundrum. The primary function of the Law is to ensure life to those who obey its commands. However, we see another function of the Law is to stir up sin within a person’s heart. So, as I’ve said before, these two functions should work against us if they’re both functioning in our lives, right? Just put yourself in the shoes of an obedient Israelite. If we are trying to keep the Law so that we can live an abundant life, then we are doing exactly what Adonai wants us to do, and He should bless us with life. However, this action of obeying the commandments will cause sin to stir up within us. Then offenses/sins will abound and increase. And as Paul so aptly said, “sin within me would become exceedingly sinful”! Hmm . . . That’s not going to help me obey the commands, which, after all, is my goal as an obedient Israelite. What am I to do?
Now let’s use a little common sense here. Do you honestly think Adonai would do that to us? Is it in His interest (or ours) to have these two opposing functions of the Law operating within the lives of His people? If you said “No, He would not have both of these opposing functions of the Law operating simultaneously in the lives of His children,” then you go to the head of the class. So, let’s see how this actually works by noting WHEN the Law functions to stir up sin. Paul is very specific in telling us when the Law functions within our lives to stir up sin. We read in Romans 7:4-5:
Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
Here, Paul tells us that the sinful passions aroused by the Law occurred “when we were in the flesh.” So, what does the phrase, “when we were in the flesh,” mean? Many times it is clearly to be taken literally. When that is true, it simply means in a/the body or as a human. For example, in 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive [resurrected] by the Spirit,” we are simply told Yeshua’s body was killed or that He was killed as a flesh and blood human being. In 1 John 4:2, “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,” John is combating deceiving spirits and tells his listeners the importance of knowing that Yeshua came in a physical body and not just as a spirit. So, sometimes the phrase, “in the flesh,” is to be taken literally to mean in a body.
However, sometimes the expression “in the flesh” is not to be taken literally, but as a figure of speech. We can learn what it means from Ephesians 2:1-3:
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
Within these three verses, Paul uses numerous equivalent expressions which mean, in the unsaved or unregenerated state, i.e., before we were born again. Notice how all these expressions are simply different ways of saying “before we were saved!”
who were dead in trespasses and sins
you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air
we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind
were by nature children of wrath, just as the others
All the phrases above, especially “in the lusts of our flesh,” are phrases indicative of the unregenerate state. In other words, dead in trespasses and sins = walking according to the course of this world = walking according to the prince of the power of the air = conducting ourselves in the lusts of our flesh = fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. This is also the situation in Romans 7:4-5 when Paul says, “for when we were in the flesh.” The obvious thematic connection between Ephesians 2:1-3 and Romans 7:5 teaches us that “in the lusts of our flesh” of Ephesians 2:1-3 equals “in the flesh” of Romans 7:5, and that they both mean in the unregenerate state, i.e., before salvation or before the new birth/creation.
Therefore, we have made an awesome discovery! I want you to take a minute to think about what we’ve just uncovered. Let’s examine the apparent discrepancy between these two functions of the Law. First of all, we learned that the primary function of the Law is to ensure life for those who obey its commandments. However, we just learned that another function of the Law is to stir up sin within a person’s heart. Remember how earlier I mentioned that these two effects seem to be contrary to each other, and they seem to work against each other. And we wondered how could they both be true because they seem contradictory to each other? Now we know. The Stirring up of Sin Effect occurs in the life of unbelievers, of people who have not been born again, of people who have not been regenerated. However, the function of the law to ensure life to those who obey it is a function of the Torah in the life of the redeemed, the regenerated, those who have been born again, the saved! This discovery resolves the conundrum of how these two functions could possibly operate together. The bottom line is they do not operate together simultaneously. One operates in the life of an unbeliever, and the other operates in the life of the believer. Doesn’t that make total sense?
In Part I of this series, I listed all the Scriptures in Romans 6–7 that pertain to this Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law. Then, I listed eleven Scriptures from the Psalms that clearly spoke of the Law in absolutely glowing terms, describing how it is such a blessing to those who follow its dictates. I pointed out how contradictory they were and told you they were both true. You may not have been able to reconcile the contradiction then, but hopefully now you can. The key is the realization that they operate in the lives of two different groups of people. To the sinner, the unregenerated, the Law functions to stir up sin. To the saint, the Law functions as a source of blessing and life. The problem with most Christians is that they’ve only been presented with the seemingly negative aspects of the Law. Now, you have context! The Bible is not confused, neither is the Apostle Paul. Both the positive and negative aspects of the Law are true. The key is to understand WHEN they are in operation, and that’s never at the same time. We still have quite a bit to say about this negative function of the Law. I realize people still have concerns about some details and perhaps some specific passages. But for now, just realize that the Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law occurs in unbelievers. I’ll have even more proof as we continue our study.
You can see this in action today in America. When unsaved people are presented with Adonai’s commandments what do they do? Do they embrace His words? Do they say, “Oh, praise the Lord for these rules on how to live our lives?” No, they don’t. They rebel! Here is a perfect picture of the Stirring up of Sin Effect in the lives of unbelievers.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them (Romans 1:18-32).
Recently, I saw a post on X (formerly Twitter) where a transgender person was proudly boasting of how they wanted to be the first transgender to get pregnant and abort a child! This is an example of sin becoming exceedingly sinful. It’s the natural process for those without Adonai in their lives. Think of how America has changed from the 1950s. We have spiraled down a path of moral rot and degeneracy. The sins and sinful attitudes we see as common place nowadays were unheard of in the 50s. Why? Because sin has abounded and become more sinful. Our country is a perfect fulfillment of Romans 1:18-32, a place where sinners have rebelled against God’s laws to their own peril.
This then is the fifth foundational truth that will help us understand the seemingly negative things Paul had to say about the Law.
Foundations for Understanding the True Meanings of Paul’s
Statements Suggesting We Are No Longer Under the Law
#5—When Is the Stirring up of Sin Effect Active in a Person’s Life?—The Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Torah is only operational in a person’s life when they are unsaved and in the unregenerated state.
The Problem of Chapter Divisions
I am convinced that one reason why people do not understand the combination of the fourth and fifth foundational truths is due to the somewhat arbitrary nature of the chapter and verse assignments in the Bible, which are not inspired! As a matter of fact, many times they hinder a proper understanding of the Word. Think of what we’ve learned in this article. Paul began speaking very clearly about the ability of the Law to stir up sin in a person’s life in Romans 5:20. After mentioning this peculiar function of the Law in 5:20, we learned that this is actually Paul’s topic throughout Romans 6 and 7! Remember all the equivalent expressions for Romans 5:20 we saw in Romans 6 and 7? Therefore, I can confidently state that Romans 5:20–7:25 should be seen as one complete thematic unit.
Unfortunately, the chapter divisions obscure this reality. The chapter division between Romans 6 and 7 is not a problem. I think most people realize that Romans chapter 6 and 7 are part of one train of thought. The problem is that Romans 5:20-21 is separated from Romans 6:1 with a chapter break! Let’s look at what the average person sees when they look at their Bible as they transition from Romans chapter 5 to chapter 6:
18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Dead to Sin, Alive to God
Chapter 6—What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Do you see the problem? Paul introduces the Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law in Romans 5:20-21. Then there’s a chapter break, as if he ended one topic and is now moving on to a new subject! In actuality, Paul is introducing a new topic in Romans 5:20-21 and is continuing it in Romans 6:1. Our Bibles should look like this:
18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
Dead to Sin, Alive to God
Chapter 6—Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 2 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 4 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 5 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
6 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Arranging the chapter division as I’ve done helps maintain the congruency of Paul’s argument. After all, he began the discussion of the Law’s ability to stir up sin in Romans 5:20-21. Why put a new chapter division after Romans 5:20-21 and separate the rest of the discussion (Romans 6–7) from the first two verses that introduce the subject??? It is my judgment that the chapter division separating chapters five and six is one of the main reasons there’s confusion about this topic. Of course, it’s not the only reason, but it is a contributing reason. You have seen how Romans 5:20-21 is similar to a main thesis statement, introducing a new line of thought, and how Paul masterfully developed that thesis statement in Romans 6–7. Furthermore, you have seen all the equivalent expressions found throughout Romans 6–7 that are simply restatements of Romans 5:20-21 using different words. Now, imagine if you were writing a book, and you were about to write on one topic that would consist of 1,230 words (the approximate length of Romans 5:20–7:25). Would you put the introduction containing your main thesis at the end of the previous chapter and then start a new chapter and write the remaining portion? You see how silly that would be. And yet, that is the outcome, the observed effect, in our Bibles because of the chapter division between chapters five and six! I’ll have more to say about the layout of Paul’s arguments later. You will be amazed at how logically and orderly his arguments are made. The more details I show you about the thematic orderliness of Paul’s arguments, the more you will understand the absolute travesty of separating Romans 5:20-21 from Romans 6–7.
Let’s review the five foundational truths we’ve learned so far.
Foundations for Understanding the True Meanings of Paul’s
Statements Suggesting We Are No Longer Under the Law
#1—What Is the Correct Biblical Worldview of the Tanakh (Old Testament)?—The Law is good and perfect. The Law is Adonai’s good, perfect, holy and eternal written revelation, given as a blessing and a heritage to the nation of Israel. It was originally written on stone tablets as part of the Mosaic covenant, whose primary message teaches us to love Adonai with all our heart, mind, body, soul, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves, and whose primary purpose is to be a source of life, blessing and goodness to His people. It was faithfully taught, lived and heralded by the apostles of Yeshua and is the basis of the New Covenant, which consists of Adonai’s Law written upon the hearts of His people.
#2—Does the Law Have Only One Function /Role /Purpose?—The Law has more than one function/role/purpose. In fact, it has many functions/roles/purposes, and the Scriptures specifically and carefully define these different functions/roles/purposes. Context will determine the function/role/purpose of which the writer is speaking.
#3—What is the Primary Function of the Law—The primary function of the Law is to ensure that those who faithfully obey its commands live a long life on the earth.
#4—Which Function/Role/Purpose of the Law is Paul Referring to in Romans 5:20–7:25?—Romans 5:20–7:25 pertains to one function of the Law. Throughout Romans 5–7 Paul is specifically dealing with ONE limited function of the Torah, its ability to stir up sin in a person’s heart (The Stirring up of Sin Effect).
#5—When is the Stirring up of Sin Effect Active in a Person’s Life?—The Stirring up of Sin Effect of the Law is only operational in a person’s life when they are unsaved and in the unregenerated state.
Now, let’s review Paul’s seemingly negative statements about the Law:
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14).
Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God (Romans 7:4).
But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter (Romans 7:6).
Now, put on your thinking caps. Have some of you already have figured out what Paul meant when he made the statements above? It has been my experience when teaching these ideas in a conference situation that some people figure out what Paul meant by these statements after they learn these first five foundational truths. Don’t worry if you didn’t figure it out yet. Let’s continue to build upon these foundations. Then, Paul’s intent in the statements above will become crystal clear.