Romans 7:10

10 I found that the commandment that was supposed to bring life actually brought 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 the commandment gave sin an opportunity. Sin caused me to want all kinds of things that belonged to others. No one can break a law that doesn't exist.

9 Before I knew about the law, I was alive. But then the commandment came. Sin came to life, and I died.

10 I found that the commandment that was supposed to bring life actually brought death.

11 When the commandment gave sin the opportunity, sin tricked me. It used the commandment to put me to death.

12 So the law is holy. The commandment also is holy and right and good.