Q: I've been reading Romans (NLT). In 2:14 it says, "Even when Gentiles, who do not have God's written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong." But in 7:7 Paul says, "Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is evil? Of course not! The law is not sinful, but it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, ‘Do not covet.’" It sounds like Paul is saying that we instinctively know God's law through our conscience, but he then say's that he wouldn't have known that something was wrong prior to learning the law (7:7-9). Can you help me with this?
A: Perhaps it would be helpful to read Roman’s within a framework of understanding regarding the people who were to receive the letter. Paul was not the pastor of any of the churches to whom he wrote. He was planning to visit in order to be encourage and be encouraged by the Romans churches and to establish a base for ministry to Spain. Other believers had founded the Roman churches (though one of the house churches, that of Priscilla and Aquila, was led by people who he had served with earlier in Corinth). A primary concern of Paul was that they come to understand his teaching, since Paul was alleged by some to be teaching a lawless Gospel. So, Paul is addressing people in established churches who for the most part do not know him and might have concerns about his teachings. There are four groups of people under consideration in the Book of Romans:
Within that context the Gentiles referred to in Romans 2:13-15 are the believers – they are more lawful without the Law than the Jews themselves. They have the presence of the Spirit, who is leading them in the works of the law written on their hearts. They are the true brethren of the Jewish believers and demonstrate it by this very lawfulness. All men have a conscience and have some ability to discern right from wrong. Without God’s salvation, that conscience can be ignored, seared, or weakened. Without salvation, based on conscience alone, men will not become righteous.
In Romans 7:7, Paul is relating his own experience as a Jew with the Law. He could have claimed that he was a righteous follower of the Law (and he did at one time) until God showed him a sin that was at work in him even at the height of his Law-keeping – that of covetousness. In fact, Paul learns that sin is pervasive, even in this man who so desires to keep the Law. Paul wants his Jewish brethren to be aware of the conviction that the Law should bring – a man should not claim proudly that he is a faithful follower or the Law would condemn him. In humility, the Jewish Law-keeper must recognize his own inadequacy and receive salvation from Jesus Christ. Just as the Gentiles.
So, in summary, the contexts of the two statements are very different, so they are not in disagreement
A: Perhaps it would be helpful to read Roman’s within a framework of understanding regarding the people who were to receive the letter. Paul was not the pastor of any of the churches to whom he wrote. He was planning to visit in order to be encourage and be encouraged by the Romans churches and to establish a base for ministry to Spain. Other believers had founded the Roman churches (though one of the house churches, that of Priscilla and Aquila, was led by people who he had served with earlier in Corinth). A primary concern of Paul was that they come to understand his teaching, since Paul was alleged by some to be teaching a lawless Gospel. So, Paul is addressing people in established churches who for the most part do not know him and might have concerns about his teachings. There are four groups of people under consideration in the Book of Romans:
- Gentile non-believers (prominent in Chapter 1),
- Jewish non-believers (prominent in Chapter 2),
- Jewish believers and
- Gentile believers.
Within that context the Gentiles referred to in Romans 2:13-15 are the believers – they are more lawful without the Law than the Jews themselves. They have the presence of the Spirit, who is leading them in the works of the law written on their hearts. They are the true brethren of the Jewish believers and demonstrate it by this very lawfulness. All men have a conscience and have some ability to discern right from wrong. Without God’s salvation, that conscience can be ignored, seared, or weakened. Without salvation, based on conscience alone, men will not become righteous.
In Romans 7:7, Paul is relating his own experience as a Jew with the Law. He could have claimed that he was a righteous follower of the Law (and he did at one time) until God showed him a sin that was at work in him even at the height of his Law-keeping – that of covetousness. In fact, Paul learns that sin is pervasive, even in this man who so desires to keep the Law. Paul wants his Jewish brethren to be aware of the conviction that the Law should bring – a man should not claim proudly that he is a faithful follower or the Law would condemn him. In humility, the Jewish Law-keeper must recognize his own inadequacy and receive salvation from Jesus Christ. Just as the Gentiles.
So, in summary, the contexts of the two statements are very different, so they are not in disagreement
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