Big Idea: Paul focuses on the Mosaic law’s relationship to new dominion in Christ. A stark contrast emerges: freedom from the law because of union with Christ versus enslavement to the law because of union with Adam. This relationship is paradoxical: union with Christ and with Adam both pertain to the Christian (7:13–25 will expound on this).

Understanding the Text

Romans 6:23 pronounces that the Christian is in union with Christ and therefore free from the law. This is illustrated in 7:1–6. But things are not so simple. Because this age is dominated by Adam’s sin, the law and death remain a present reality (7:7–12).

We may outline 7:1–6 as follows:

7:1-4a

Law: Bound to the old husband

Grace: United with the new husband

7:4b-5

Law: Fruit of death

Grace: Fruit of life

7:6

Law: Le…