Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 7:10
And the commandment, which [was ordained] to life, I found [to be] unto death.
10. ordained to life ] In the Gr. simply to life. Such was its natural tendency. “This do and thou shall live ” is the statement of a deep and holy sequence. The failure lies not in the commandment but in the fallen will. And meantime no modification in the commandment is conceivable; for that would be to bend an eternal principle, the basis of all peace and hope, namely, Holiness.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And the commandment – The Law to which he had referred before.
Which was ordained to life – Which was intended to produce life, or happiness. Life here stands opposed to death, and means felicity, peace, eternal bliss; Note, Joh 3:36. When the apostle says that it was ordained to life, he probably has reference to the numerous passages in the Old Testament which speak of the Law in this manner, Lev 18:5, Ye shall keep my statutes and my judgments; which if a man do, he shall live in them, Eze 20:11, Eze 20:13, Eze 20:21; Eze 18:9, Eze 18:21. The meaning of these passages, in connection with this declaration of Paul, may be thus expressed:
- The Law is good; it has no evil, and is itself suited to produce no evil.
(2)If man was pure, and it was obeyed perfectly, it would produce life and happiness only. On those who have obeyed it in heaven, it has produced only happiness.
(3)For this it was ordained; it is adapted to it; and when perfectly obeyed, it produces no other effect. But,
- Man is a sinner; he has not obeyed it; and in such a case the Law threatens woe.
It crosses the inclination of man, and instead of producing peace and life, as it would on a being perfectly holy, it produces only woe and crime. The law of a parent may be good, and may be appointed to promote the happiness of his children; it may be admirably suited to it if all were obedient; yet in the family there may be one obstinate, self-willed, and stubborn child, resolved to indulge his evil passions, and the results to him would be woe and despair. The commandment, which was ordained for the good of the family, and which would be adapted to promote their welfare, he alone, of all the number, would find to be unto death.
I found – It was to me. It produced this effect.
Unto death – Producing aggravated guilt and condemnation, Rom 7:9.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 10. And the commandment] Meaning the law in general, which was ordained to life; the rule of righteousness teaching those statutes which if a man do he shall live in them, Le 18:5, I found, by transgressing it, to be unto death; for it only presented the duty and laid down the penalty, without affording any strength to resist sin or subdue evil propensities.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
q.d. So it came to pass, that the commandment, which was ordained to be a rule of life, and, if I could have kept it, a means of life also, Rom 10:5; Gal 3:12, I found it to be to me (through my corruption and transgression) an occasion of death; it bound me over to punishment; and so, by accident, it tendeth to death. Some by life and death, here, understand peace and perturbation of spirit.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
10, 11. Andthus.
the commandment, which was,&c.designed
togive
lifethrough thekeeping of it.
I found to be untodeaththrough breaking it.
For sinmy sinfulnature.
taking occasion by thecommandment, deceived meor “seduced me”drew measide into the very thing which the commandment forbade.
and by it slew me“discoveredme to myself to be a condemned and gone man” (compare Ro7:9, “I died“).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the commandment which was ordained to life,…. The law which promised a continuance of an immortal life to Adam, in case of perfect obedience to it; and which was appointed to the Israelites, that by the observation of it they might live in the land of Canaan, and in the quiet and full possession of their privileges and enjoyments; but was never ordained to eternal life, or that men should obtain that by their obedience to it; since eternal life is the free gift of God, without respect to any works of men; see Ga 3:21; This same law, the apostle says,
I found to be unto death; as it was an occasion, through the vitiosity of nature, of stirring up sin in him, which brought forth fruit unto death; as it convinced him that he was a dead man and worthy of death; as it threatened him with it, and struck all his hopes of eternal life dead, and left him in this condition without giving him the least direction or assistance whereby to obtain life.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
This I found unto death ( — ). Literally, “the commandment the one for (meant for) life, this was found for me unto death.” First aorist (effective) passive indicative of , to find, not active as the English has it. It turned out so for me (ethical dative).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And the commandment,” (kai he entole) “And (then even) the commandment;” the commandment not to covet or lust (the king of all sins) the reigning, selfish, emotional passion, that is the causative factor of all deeds of wrong committed by men, Gen 20:17; Deu 5:21.
2) “Which was ordained to life,” (moi he eis zoen) “Which was (designed or meant) to me unto life,” Spiritual life, to Salvation, to indict me to confess guilt and ask for pardon, Isa 55:6-7; Rom 2:4; 2Co 7:11; 2Pe 3:9.
3) I found to be unto death,” (heurethe haute eis thanaton) I found (experienced) this (commandment) unto death;- because of his self-righteous attitude, thinking his keeping the law of Moses and its ceremonies and rites would save him. The law against coveting or selfishness is the tenth (the last) the foundation, of all the law of Moses. One would never, never, never break either of the other nine commandments, if he was not covetous, lustful, or selfish by nature, in the first place, see!
To say “no” to God’s call to Salvation, to repentance and faith, is a fruit on one’s selfish, covetous nature, to have his own way, 2Co 6:2; Heb 4:7.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
10. Was found by me, etc. Two things are stated here — that the commandment shows to us a way of life in the righteousness of God, and that it was given in order that we by keeping the law of the Lord might obtain eternal life, except our corruption stood in the way. But as none of us obey the law, but, on the contrary, are carried headlong on our feet and hands into that kind of life from which it recalls us, it can bring us nothing but death. We must thus distinguish between the character of the law and our own wickedness. It hence follows, that it is incidental that the law inflicts on us a deadly wound, as when an incurable disease is more exasperated by a healing remedy. I indeed allow that it is an inseparable incident, and hence the law, as compared with the gospel, is called in another place the ministration of death; but still this remains unaltered, that it is not in its own nature hurtful to us, but it is so because our corruption provokes and draws upon us its curse.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(10) Which was ordained to.The very commandment which was for life I found to be for death (Ellicott). The Law was instituted in order that it might give life to those who were under it and who kept it. They did not keep it, and therefore it brought them not life but death.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death,’
And the result was that the commandment which was found in the Law, the commandment which was supposed to be giving him life, was found by him to be ‘unto death’. He had recognised that his hopes of eternal life had gone. He was under sentence of death, and had like Adam felt himself as having been thrust out of the presence of God.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Rom 7:10. Ordained to life Intended for life. The law, which was just, and such as it ought to be, in having the penalty of death annexed to every transgression of it, (Gal 3:10.) came to produce death, by not being able to remove the depravity of human nature, and subdue carnal appetites, and keep men free from trespasses against it, the least whereof by the law brought death. See chap. Rom 8:3. Gal 3:21.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Rom 7:10 . ] correlative of , antithesis of . It is neither to be understood, however, of physical nor of spiritual death (Semler, Bhme, Rckert; comp. Hofmann and others), but, as the contrast requires, of eternal death . This was given with the actual sin brought about through the sin-principle that had become alive; the sinner had incurred it. Paul, full of the painful recollection, expresses this by the abrupt, deeply tragic .
] sc . , aiming at life . For the promise of life (in the Messianic theocratic sense, Lev 18:5 ; Deu 5:33 ; Gal 3:12 ), which was attached to the obedience of the Mosaic law generally, applied also to the .
] was found , proved and showed itself in the actual experimental result; comp. Gal 2:17 ; 1Pe 1:7 . Chrysostom has well said: , , , , (of men) .
] haec . To be written thus, and not , ipsa (Bengel and Hofmann), after the analogy of Rom 7:15 f., Rom 7:19 f. It has tragic emphasis. Comp. on Phi 1:22 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
Ver. 10. Ordained to life ] By life and death understand peace and perturbation.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
10. ] but I died (ceased to live-and-flourish as before, fell into that state of unhappiness, which even afterwards under the gospel he calls , Rom 7:24 , ch. Rom 8:2 ): and (not an additional particular, but = ‘and so,’ merely changing the subject from ‘I,’ to ‘the commandment’) the commandment which was for (tending to) life (compare ch. Rom 10:5 , , and reff. there: the life is one of prosperity primarily, but capable of, and indeed requiring ( Rom 10:5 ) a higher interpretation), this (very commandment ) ( directs attention in a marked way to the antecedent subject: so frequently and : see Mat 24:13 ; Winer, edn. 6, 23. 4) was found (subjective , , ), Chrys.) by me (to be) unto (tending to) death (explained on . above).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Rom 7:10 . The result is that the commandment defeats its Own intention; it has life in View, but it ends in death. Here also analysis only misleads. Life and death are indivisible wholes.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
to, unto. App-104.
life. App-170.
I found = was itself found by me.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
10.] but I died (ceased to live-and-flourish as before,-fell into that state of unhappiness, which even afterwards under the gospel he calls , Rom 7:24, ch. Rom 8:2): and (not an additional particular, but = and so, merely changing the subject from I, to the commandment) the commandment which was for (tending to) life (compare ch. Rom 10:5, , and reff. there: the life is one of prosperity primarily, but capable of, and indeed requiring (Rom 10:5) a higher interpretation), this (very commandment) ( directs attention in a marked way to the antecedent subject: so frequently and : see Mat 24:13; Winer, edn. 6, 23. 4) was found (subjective- , , ), Chrys.) by me (to be) unto (tending to) death (explained on . above).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Rom 7:10. , I died) I lost that life, which I [fancied that I] had.-, was found) So , I find, Rom 7:21.- , to life) on the ground of the original intention of God, and in another point of view, on the ground of my own opinion, which I held, when I was living without the law. Life pointedly indicates both joy and activity; while death implies the opposite.-, itself) the same [the very same commandment]. It is commonly written , but Baumgarten has , which is correct.[70] Comp. Act 8:26, note.
[70] Lachmann and Tischendorf, the two ablest exponents of modern textual criticism, prefer .-ED.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Rom 7:10
Rom 7:10
and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death:-So the law that was given to promote
life excited sin and brought a sense of guilt and condemnation to death.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Rom 10:5, Lev 18:5, Eze 20:11, Eze 20:13, Eze 20:21, Luk 10:27-29, 2Co 3:7
Reciprocal: Gen 2:17 – surely Gal 5:17 – and these
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
:10
Rom 7:10. The commandment that would bring spiritual life to the man if he obeyed it, would result in death “in trespass and sins,” until he repented.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rom 7:10. Which was unto life. The promise of the law, covering its every commandment, was do this and live; its aim was life.
This, or, the same. The latter is perhaps preferable, giving a tragical force to the expression: this very commandment
Was found by me to be unto death. The aim was life; as a matter of personal human experience the result was death. he present misery resulting from the excitement and knowledge of sin seems to be referred to, for this only could be found to be the result, as a matter of experience.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Observe here, 1. The natural end and use of the commandment or law of God, It was ordained unto life; that is, it was given for a rule of life, a promised eternal salvation to the perfect fulfilling of it. But no man since the fall being able perfect the law in his own person, can be justified by the law in the sight of God. However, the proper end for which the law was ordained, was to give life to them that should perfectly keep it.
Observe, 2. The contrary use which the apostle found the law to be of, with reference unto himself. What was ordained to life, he found to be unto death: that is, through his own corruption and transgression, it became an occasion of death to him, by binding him over to punishment, and rendering him obnoxious to the wrath of God.
Thus the word of God, the sweet and saving word of God, that word which God had ordained to bring men to life and salvation, is found to some the savour of death unto death; but the fault is not in the word, but in themselves.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death:
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
10. And I died; and the commandment which was unto life, the same was found to me to be unto death. When Paul reached responsibility, coming in contact with the law, like the rest of us, he unfortunately antagonized it, thus forfeiting his infantile justification. the law, which, instrumental in the divine administration, and, of course, conducive to life, when disobeyed became the swift vehicle of death. Consequently he died spiritually, the inbred sin, of course, lying dormant, having nothing to do till the time came. Then it revived, beginning an exterminating war against the law, he, taking side with it, died spiritually.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
The intent of the Law was to bring people blessing (life) as they obeyed it (Lev 18:5). Nevertheless because Paul did not obey it, he found that it condemned him.
". . . it seems fair to conclude that the law would have given life had it been perfectly obeyed." [Note: Moo, p. 439.]