Understanding Romans 6-8: The Law, Sin, and Life in Christ

Literature, Pastoral, Priory of Salem, Theology Institute
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Understanding Romans 6-8: The Law, Sin, and Life in Christ

Introduction: Why Does Paul Talk So Much About the Law?

Romans 6-8 is one of the most profound sections of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. These chapters deal with the relationship between sin, the Law, and the believer’s life in Christ. Many Christians, whether Orthodox or Protestant, struggle to understand how the Law fits into the Christian life. Is it still relevant? Does it condemn us? Should we ignore it completely?

Paul’s answer is neither legalism (rigid rule-following) nor lawlessness (living however we please). Instead, he presents a powerful message of transformation through Christ. To fully grasp his point, we must see that Romans 6, 7, and 8 are part of a continuous argument, not separate discussions.

Before diving into these chapters, it is helpful to recognize that Paul speaks of different kinds of “laws” in these passages, each serving a distinct purpose. These include:

  1. The Law of Moses – The written commandments given to Israel.
  2. The Law of Sin – The power of sin working in fallen human nature.
  3. The Law of the Flesh – The natural tendency of humanity to live in rebellion against God.
  4. The Law of the Spirit of Life – The governing principle of new life in Christ, which sets believers free from sin and death.
  5. The Law of the Mind – Paul’s description of the inner desire to do good, yet struggling against the power of sin.
  6. The Law of Sin and Death – The reality that sin leads to death, and those bound by sin remain under this law.

By understanding these distinctions, we can better appreciate Paul’s message in these chapters. We encourage you to read Romans 6, 7, and 8 carefully, as they provide a rich and liberating perspective on the Christian life.

Romans 6: Dying to Sin, Living in Christ

Paul begins Romans 6 by addressing a potential misunderstanding of grace. If God’s grace covers all sin, should we keep sinning so grace may increase? His answer: “God forbid” (Romans 6:2). Instead, he explains that those who are in Christ are dead to sin but alive to God.

  1. Baptism as a Symbol of Death and Resurrection
    • Paul describes how baptism unites believers with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5).
    • Just as Christ was raised, so too are we raised to newness of life.
  2. Slaves to Righteousness, Not Sin
    • Before Christ, sin ruled over us, and we were slaves to sin (Romans 6:16-18).
    • In Christ, we become slaves to righteousness, meaning our new nature seeks to obey God.

Romans 7: The Struggle with the Law and Sin

While Romans 6 focuses on being freed from sin’s rule, Romans 7 turns to the Law’s role. This chapter is often misunderstood, but Paul is explaining a fundamental truth: the Law is good, but without Christ, it condemns rather than saves.

  1. The Law Exposes Sin
    • Paul makes it clear: the Law itself is holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12).
    • However, sin hijacks the Law, using it to awaken rebellion in us (Romans 7:8).
  2. Paul’s Personal Struggle: Romans 7:13-25
    • Romans 7:13 is key: “Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”
    • Paul is saying that the Law, though good, exposed the depth of his sinfulness.
    • He describes an inner conflict—his mind delights in God’s Law, but his flesh is weak (Romans 7:22-23).
    • He ends with a cry of frustration: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24). The answer? Jesus Christ.

Romans 8: The Solution—Life in the Spirit

After describing the Law’s inability to save, Paul presents the answer in Romans 8: the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit in Christ.

  1. No Condemnation in Christ
    • “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
    • Through Christ, believers are no longer under the condemnation of the Law.
  2. The Law of the Spirit vs. The Law of Sin and Death
    • Romans 8:2 introduces another “law”—the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.
    • This law frees us from the law of sin and death, meaning that instead of struggling in our own strength (as in Romans 7), we now have the Spirit’s power to live righteously.
  3. Living According to the Spirit
    • The flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:7-8), but those who live by the Spirit can.
    • The Spirit dwells in believers, empowering them to live in righteousness (Romans 8:9-11).
    • We are no longer slaves to sin but adopted as children of God (Romans 8:15-17).

Why This Matters for Us Today

  1. Avoiding Two Extremes: Legalism and Lawlessness
    • Some Christians believe they must rigidly follow Old Testament laws to be righteous. Paul warns that this leads to frustration because the flesh cannot keep the Law.
    • Others believe grace means they can live however they want. Paul rejects this too—true freedom in Christ leads to righteousness, not sin.
  2. Victory Over Sin Comes Through Christ, Not Our Strength
    • The struggle Paul describes in Romans 7 is real for every believer. But Romans 8 reminds us that victory is not found in trying harder but in walking by the Spirit.
  3. The Role of the Law Today
    • Paul never says the Law is bad. Instead, he shows that the Law serves to reveal sin and point us to Christ.
    • The Law is fulfilled in Christ, and through the Spirit, we live out its righteous principles not by compulsion but by transformation.

Conclusion: The Law in Christ, Not in the Flesh

By the end of Romans 7, Paul still upholds the Law as good and spiritual but shows that it must be approached in Christ and not through human effort alone. Romans 8 then provides the key: living by the Spirit rather than by the flesh. The Law, rather than being an impossible burden, becomes a guide that is fulfilled in us as we walk in the Spirit.

For both Orthodox and Protestant Christians, this message is vital: We are not under condemnation, we are free from sin, and we live righteously not by our effort but by Christ’s Spirit in us.