Mar
17
Written by:
Bob Flynn
3/17/2009 7:00 AM
He sets himself before us as an example, in whom all men may behold, first what they are by nature before they earnestly think upon the law of God: that is, stupid, and prone to sin and wickedness, without any true sense and feeling of sin, and second what manner of persons they become, when their conscience is reproved by the testimony of the Law, that is, stubborn and more inflamed with the desire for sin than they ever were before. (Geneva Bible Translation Notes)
I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; (NASB)
For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. (KJV)
At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life, and I died. (NLT)
And I was once alive apart from the law, but with the coming of the commandment sin became alive and I died. (NET)
I think Paul is trying to convey here that he lived for a season of his life, or at least I thought he was living, because he was at peace with his conscience. But then the law provoked the sleeping beast to life and then his conscience became aware of the disease. The beast that crouches at the door (Genesis 4:7) We deem ourselves righteous according to our own standards until we meet the righteous standard of the law that then reveals to us this inner nature that rebels with ferocity.
Copyright ©2009 Robert Flynn