Romans 7: 7-12 Discussion Questions
1) In verse 7-8a, Paul says we would not have known sin except through the law and specifically uses the example of coveting. What does it mean to "know sin" and to "know what it is to cover"? Do you agree with him?
2) In verses 8b-10, what is Paul talking about when he writes: “Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died”? Is he referring to the time when he (as a child of Abraham) was alive apart from the law?
3) Verse 11 sort of sums up how sin "seizing an opportunity in the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me". Do you see an echo of the garden of Eden story here?
4) Verse 12 gives a firm statement about the law's holiness, justness and goodness. Why might he have felt this to be an important thing to state at this point?
5) How can the law as depicted in verses 7-12 be holy, good and upright while also producing death at the same time? Did God know what was going to happen when he gave the Law to Moses?
2) In verses 8b-10, what is Paul talking about when he writes: “Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died”? Is he referring to the time when he (as a child of Abraham) was alive apart from the law?
3) Verse 11 sort of sums up how sin "seizing an opportunity in the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me". Do you see an echo of the garden of Eden story here?
4) Verse 12 gives a firm statement about the law's holiness, justness and goodness. Why might he have felt this to be an important thing to state at this point?
5) How can the law as depicted in verses 7-12 be holy, good and upright while also producing death at the same time? Did God know what was going to happen when he gave the Law to Moses?