The law is not “sin,” nor the originator of sin, but the occasion or operating base that sin has used to accomplish its evil and deadly purpose.

From a human perspective law is mistakenly viewed as a restriction that in turn causes resentment and gives rise to rebellion.

That sin was “dead” does not mean that it did not exist but that it was not as “active” or “powerful” before the law as after.

Apart from law sin is dead in the sense that undefined, it technically does not exist (cf. 4:15). No matter how swift and straight the arrow, without a target there can be no bull’s-eye.

15 because the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

When the apostle says, “I was alive apart from the law”, the word “alive” cannot be used here in the sense of life eternal or life unto God. He is speaking of the unperturbed, self-complacent, self-righteous life which he once lived before the turbulent motions and conviction of sin, described in the two preceding verses, overtook him

cannot be used here in the sense of life eternal or life unto God. He is speaking of the unperturbed, self-complacent, self-righteous life which he once lived before the turbulent motions and conviction of sin, described in the two preceding verses, overtook him.

a living without an awareness of the seriousness of sin and its consequences.

The purpose of law in man’s original estate was not to give occasion to sin but to direct and regulate man’s life in the path of righteousness and, therefore, to guard and promote life.

Accordingly, “I died” will describe that situation according to which the law, by turning “sin” into “transgression,” confirms, personalizes, and radicalizes the spiritual death in which all find themselves since Adam. Israel, in this sense, “died” when the law was given to it.

Probably Paul thinks of the way that the “promise of life” held out by the law “deceived” Israel into thinking that it could attain life through it.

But the attempts of Israel to find life through the law brought only death—not because obeying the law itself is sinful, or worthy of death, but because the law could not be fulfilled.

Sin is always bad; but it becomes worse—even more “sinful”—when it involves deliberate violation of God’s good will for his people. The law, by making sin even worse than before, reveals sin in its true colors.

Paul’s essential teaching about the inability of the Mosaic law to rescue sinful people from spiritual bondage is the same whether that bondage is the condition of the unregenerate person—who cannot be saved through the law—or that of the regenerate person—who cannot be sanctified and ultimately delivered from the influence of sin through the law.

3 In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you.

2 Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh—4 although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; 6 regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.

do not put confidence in the flesh

sold as a slave to sin

I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate.

it is sin living in me.

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh.

the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it.

I practice the evil that I do not want to do

I delight in God’s law, 23 but I see a different law in the parts of my body,,ah waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body.

Who will rescue me from this body of death?

I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin.