Romans 7:10

KJV

And the commandment, which [was ordained] to life, I found [to be] unto death.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the commandment {G1785}, which {G3588} was ordained to {G1519} life {G2222}, I {G3427} found {G2147}{G3778} to be unto {G1519} death {G2288}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and I died. The commandment that was intended to bring me life was found to be bringing me death!

Berean Standard Bible

So I discovered that the very commandment that was meant to bring life actually brought death.

American Standard Version

and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In the Apostle Paul articulates a profound paradox central to his theology of the Law and sin: the very divine commandment, intended by God to lead humanity to life and flourishing, was paradoxically discovered by Paul to lead instead to spiritual death. This verse encapsulates the tragic reality that while the Law itself is good and holy, human sinfulness perverts its purpose, transforming a path to life into an instrument that exposes and condemns, ultimately leading to a state of spiritual alienation and death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's deeply personal and theological discourse in [Romans 7](/romans/7 "Romans 7 - The Struggle with Sin"), where he meticulously unpacks the relationship between the Mosaic Law, sin, and the believer's experience. Having established in [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ") that believers are dead to sin and alive in Christ, Paul addresses a potential misunderstanding: Does this mean the Law is bad or causes sin? He clarifies that the Law is good and holy, but sin, leveraging the Law's prohibitions, exploits human weakness to produce transgression. Paul's argument progresses from the believer's freedom from the Law's condemnation ([Romans 7:1-6](/romans/7-1-6 "Romans 7:1-6 - Dead to the Law")) to a vivid illustration of the Law's role in revealing and provoking sin ([Romans 7:7-13](/romans/7-7-13 "Romans 7:7-13 - The Law Reveals Sin")), culminating in the internal struggle between the Spirit and the flesh experienced by the regenerate ([Romans 7:14-25](/romans/7-14-25 "Romans 7:14-25 - The Inward Conflict")). [Romans 7:10](/romans/7-10 "Romans 7:10 - The Law and Death") serves as a poignant summary of the Law's unintended effect on fallen humanity, setting the stage for the glorious resolution found in the Spirit in [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For a first-century Jewish audience, the Torah (Law) was revered as a divine gift, the very essence of God's wisdom and guidance for life. It was understood as the covenant by which Israel lived and prospered, promising blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19-20 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life")). The idea that the Law could lead to death would have been profoundly counter-intuitive, even shocking. Paul, a former Pharisee, understood this perspective intimately. His argument here is not to denigrate the Law itself, but to expose the tragic reality of human sinfulness in relation to God's perfect standard. The Law, in its purity, was indeed "ordained to life," reflecting God's holy character and His desire for humanity's flourishing. However, in a fallen world, the Law's function shifts from a pathway to life to a mirror reflecting humanity's inability to meet God's standard, thereby exposing sin and leading to condemnation and spiritual death.

* **Key Themes:** [Romans 7:10](/romans/7-10 "Romans 7:10 - The Law and Death") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Romans and Paul's broader theology. Firstly, it underscores **The Law's Holy Purpose**, emphasizing that God's commandments are inherently good, righteous, and intended to guide humanity toward a life of blessing and communion with Him. Secondly, it highlights **Sin's Deceptive Power**, demonstrating how sin "seizes opportunity" through the Law ([Romans 7:8](/romans/7-8 "Romans 7:8 - Sin's Opportunity")) to provoke transgression and reveal the depth of human depravity. The Law, by defining sin, inadvertently stimulates the sinful nature, making sin evident and increasing guilt, leading to spiritual death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Lastly, and most crucially, this verse powerfully illustrates **Human Inability and the Need for Grace**. It reveals the futility of seeking righteousness or salvation through self-effort and legalistic observance, pointing instead to humanity's inherent weakness and desperate need for divine intervention—the grace and redemption found exclusively in [Jesus Christ](/romans/3-24 "Romans 3:24 - Justified by Grace").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **commandment (Greek, _entolḗ'_):** (G1785) From *entellomai*, meaning "injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription." This refers to a divine precept, specifically the Mosaic Law or any command given by God. Paul emphasizes that this is not a human rule, but a direct, authoritative decree from God, inherently good and reflecting His holy character.
* **to life (Greek, _eis zōḗn'_):** (G1519, G2222) *Eis* is a preposition indicating the point reached or purpose, and *zōē* means "life (literally or figuratively)." This phrase denotes the *intended purpose* of the commandment: to lead to true, spiritual life, flourishing, and a right relationship with God. It signifies God's original, benevolent design for humanity through His Law.
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** (G2147) A prolonged form of a primary verb, meaning "to find (literally or figuratively); to get, obtain, perceive, see." Paul's use of this verb indicates a personal discovery or realization. It wasn't that the Law *changed* its nature, but rather Paul, in his experience, *perceived* or *discovered* its paradoxical effect on him as a fallen human being. This is a profound, experiential insight.
* **unto death (Greek, _eis thánatos'_):** (G1519, G2288) *Eis* again indicates purpose or result, and *thanatos* means "death (literally or figuratively)." This signifies the tragic outcome of the commandment for fallen humanity. It's not that the Law *causes* death, but that in the presence of sin, it becomes an instrument that exposes sin's deadly power, leading to condemnation and spiritual separation from God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the commandment, which [was ordained] to life":** This clause establishes the inherent goodness and divine purpose of the Law. The Law was not given to condemn but to guide humanity into a life of obedience, blessing, and fellowship with God. It was a revelation of God's righteous will, designed to lead to genuine spiritual vitality and flourishing. The phrase "ordained to life" underscores God's benevolent intention behind His moral standard.
* **"I found [to be] unto death":** This second clause presents the stark and tragic paradox. Paul, speaking from his own profound experience, discovered that this very Law, intended for life, ultimately led him to a state of spiritual death. This is not because the Law itself is flawed, but because sin, inherent in human nature, seizes the Law's prohibitions as an opportunity to manifest itself, leading to transgression, guilt, and separation from God, which is spiritual death. The Law, by revealing sin, ironically becomes the instrument through which sin's deadly power is fully exposed and actualized in the individual.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs **Paradox** and **Antithesis** in [Romans 7:10](/romans/7-10 "Romans 7:10 - The Law and Death") to highlight the complex relationship between the Law and sin. The **paradox** lies in the seemingly contradictory outcome: a commandment designed for life is found to lead to death. This unexpected result forces the reader to grapple with a deeper theological truth. The **antithesis** is evident in the direct opposition between "to life" (*eis zōēn*) and "unto death" (*eis thánaton*). This stark contrast emphasizes the dramatic and tragic perversion of the Law's intended purpose by the power of sin. Furthermore, Paul's use of the first-person pronoun "I" (Greek: *moi*) injects a powerful element of **Personal Testimony**, making the theological argument relatable and demonstrating the universal human struggle with sin and the Law. This personal narrative serves as an illustrative example of the Law's effect on all humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Romans 7:10](/romans/7-10 "Romans 7:10 - The Law and Death") is a pivotal verse that clarifies the Law's role not as a means of salvation, but as a revealer of sin and a pointer to the necessity of grace. It underscores the profound theological truth that while the Law is holy and good, humanity's fallen nature renders it incapable of achieving righteousness through obedience. The Law, in essence, acts as a divine mirror, reflecting our imperfections and exposing our desperate need for a Savior. This understanding is foundational to Paul's gospel, which posits that righteousness is not earned by works of the Law but is freely given through faith in Jesus Christ. The verse highlights the transition from an old covenant of law that exposed human failure to a new covenant of grace that provides divine enablement and forgiveness.

* [Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian"): "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."
* [2 Corinthians 3:6](/2_corinthians/3-6 "2 Corinthians 3:6 - The Spirit Gives Life"): "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
* [James 1:23-25](/james/1-23-25 "James 1:23-25 - The Law as a Mirror"): "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgeteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Romans 7:10](/romans/7-10 "Romans 7:10 - The Law and Death") offers a profound lesson for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our spiritual journey is not about striving to perfectly obey a set of rules in our own strength, but about recognizing our inherent weakness and embracing the liberating power of God's grace. The Law's purpose was never to provide salvation, but to reveal our need for it. For those who feel perpetually burdened by their failures or who attempt to earn God's favor through their own efforts, this verse serves as a crucial corrective. It calls us to cease our futile striving and instead to rest in the finished work of Christ. Our righteousness comes not from our adherence to the Law, but from our faith in the One who perfectly fulfilled it on our behalf. This understanding fosters humility, deepens our appreciation for God's mercy, and empowers us to live not under the condemnation of the Law, but in the freedom and power of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to genuinely desire and pursue righteousness from a heart transformed by love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the Law's true purpose (to reveal sin, not to save) change your perspective on your own spiritual struggles?**
* **In what ways might you still be subtly attempting to earn God's favor through your own efforts, rather than resting in His grace?**
* **How does the paradox of the Law leading to death highlight your desperate need for Jesus Christ as your Savior?**
* **What is the practical difference in your daily walk between living under the Law and living under grace, as illuminated by this verse?**

### FAQ
**Did God intend for the Law to lead people to death?**

Answer: No, absolutely not. [Romans 7:10](/romans/7-10 "Romans 7:10 - The Law and Death") clarifies that the commandment "was ordained to life." God's intention in giving the Law was benevolent and life-giving. The Law is holy, righteous, and good ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy")). However, due to humanity's fallen, sinful nature, the Law's good purpose was tragically perverted. Sin, taking advantage of the Law's prohibitions, used it to expose and condemn human rebellion, thereby leading to spiritual death. The Law didn't cause death; rather, it revealed the deadly nature of sin and humanity's inability to overcome it on its own.

**If the Law leads to death, why did God give it?**

Answer: God gave the Law for several crucial reasons, none of which were to cause death. Firstly, the Law reveals God's perfect character and His righteous standards, showing humanity what true holiness looks like. Secondly, it defines sin, making humanity aware of its transgressions and guilt ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - Knowledge of Sin Through the Law")). Thirdly, as Paul explains, it acts as a "schoolmaster" or "guardian" ([Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian")) to lead people to Christ by demonstrating their utter inability to achieve righteousness through their own efforts. The Law exposes the depth of human sinfulness, thereby creating a desperate need for a Savior and highlighting the necessity of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Romans 7:10](/romans/7-10 "Romans 7:10 - The Law and Death") finds its ultimate resolution and Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The paradox of the Law leading to death is precisely what Jesus came to overcome. He is the one who perfectly fulfilled the Law, not by abolishing it, but by living a life of complete obedience that humanity could not ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Furthermore, Christ took upon Himself the curse and condemnation that the Law pronounced upon sinful humanity, dying on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for sin ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse of the Law")). Through His death, He rendered sin powerless and disarmed the Law's ability to condemn those who are in Him ([Colossians 2:14](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14 - Cancellation of Debt")). Now, for believers, the Law no longer leads to death but is fulfilled in them through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who empowers them to walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit, thereby fulfilling the righteous requirement of the Law ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ")). In Christ, the Law's original purpose—to lead to life—is finally realized, not through human effort, but through divine grace and transformation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 18:5

Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I [am] the LORD.

2 Corinthians 3:7

But if the ministration of death, written [and] engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which [glory] was to be done away:

Romans 10:5

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Galatians 3:12

And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Ezekiel 20:11

And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them.

Ezekiel 20:21

Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

Luke 10:27

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.