Romans 7:10

10 and the commandment, which [was] unto life, this I found [to be] unto death:

Romans 7:10 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 7:10

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 ( Galatians 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.

Romans 7:10 In-Context

8 but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the law sin [is] dead.

9 And I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died;

10 and the commandment, which [was] unto life, this I found [to be] unto death:

11 for sin, finding occasion, through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me.

12 So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.