Romans 7:10

10 and the command that [is] for life, this was found by me for 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 `Thou shalt not covet;' and the sin having received an opportunity, through the command, did work in me all covetousness -- for apart from law sin is dead.

9 And I was alive apart from law once, and the command having come, the sin revived, and I died;

10 and the command that [is] for life, this was found by me for death;

11 for the sin, having received an opportunity, through the command, did deceive me, and through it did slay [me];

12 so that the law, indeed, [is] holy, and the command holy, and righteous, and good.