Audio commentary on this verse

Note 11 at Rom. 7:6: In these first six verses of Romans 7, Paul says we are "loosed from the law" (v. 2), "free from the law" (v. 3), "dead to the law" (v. 4), and "delivered from the law" (this verse). Romans 6:14 says that we "are not under the law." How could it be made any clearer that the law was not made for a born-again man (1 Tim. 1:9).

Note 12 at Rom. 7:6: The dictionary defines "spirit", when used as in this verse, as "the real sense or significance of something" (American Heritage Dict.). Just as Jesus taught against ritualistic observance of laws (see note 21 at Mt. 23:26, p. 450), so Paul is saying a Christian is someone who fulfills the real sense or significance of the law, not every detail. God is more pleased with someone who has a pure heart and yet fails Him in actions (Ex. Lk. 7:36-50) than someone who does the right things with an impure heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Second Corinthians 3:6 says "the letter kills, but the spirit gives life."

True Christianity is not the observance of a different set of rules than some other religion. It is a change of the heart (2 Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 11:19; 36:26). Once a person's heart is changed, he will serve God, not because he has to but because he wants to.