Romans 7:12

KJV

Wherefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore {G5620}{G3303} the law {G3551} is holy {G40}, and {G2532} the commandment {G1785} holy {G40}, and {G2532} just {G1342}, and {G2532} good {G18}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So the Torah is holy; that is, the commandment is holy, just and good.

Berean Standard Bible

So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.

American Standard Version

So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 7:12 serves as a pivotal declaration within Paul's intricate argument in Romans 7, affirming the inherent perfection and divine origin of the Mosaic Law. Paul emphatically asserts that despite the Law's role in exposing and even provoking sin, the Law itself is not sinful or flawed. Rather, it is intrinsically "holy," "just," and "good," reflecting the character of the God who gave it, thereby absolving the Law from any culpability for humanity's fallen condition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 7:12 follows Paul's deeply personal and theological exploration of the Law's relationship to sin and the believer's struggle. In the preceding verses ([Romans 7:7-11](/romans/7-7-11 "Romans 7:7-11 - The Law and Sin")), Paul clarifies that the Law is not sin, but rather, it reveals sin and even, paradoxically, empowers sin by making it known and forbidden. He describes how sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced covetousness in him and brought death. This confession could lead a reader to conclude that the Law itself is the problem or is evil. Romans 7:12 directly addresses and refutes this potential misunderstanding, acting as a crucial corrective to ensure the Law's divine nature and purpose are not impugned. It sets the stage for the subsequent discussion of the internal conflict experienced by the believer, caught between the Law's good demands and the power of indwelling sin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul, a former Pharisee, was deeply steeped in Jewish law and tradition. For many Jews, the Law (Torah) was the central pillar of their identity, a divine gift, and the means by which one attained righteousness before God. To suggest the Law was flawed or evil would have been anathema. Paul's audience in Rome included both Jewish and Gentile Christians, and he needed to articulate a theology that honored the Law's divine origin while simultaneously demonstrating its inability to save and its role in revealing the need for Christ. This verse functions as a bridge, affirming the Law's holiness for his Jewish audience while preparing his Gentile readers to understand why, despite its perfection, it could not justify. The Greco-Roman world, while not having a concept of "Torah," would understand laws as reflections of a governing authority's character, making Paul's assertion about the Law's attributes resonate with their understanding of justice and good governance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans and Paul's theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Perfection of the Law**, affirming that the Law is an emanation of God's own holy, just, and good character. This directly refutes any notion that God's standards are arbitrary or malevolent. Secondly, it clarifies the **Law's Purpose as a Revealer of Sin**, rather than a means of salvation. As Paul states earlier, "[by the law is the knowledge of sin](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")". The Law's perfect standard exposes humanity's utter inability to meet God's demands, thereby highlighting the desperate need for a Savior. Thirdly, it establishes a crucial **Distinction Between the Law and Sin**. Sin is the active, corrupting force, which uses the good Law as an instrument to bring about condemnation, but the Law itself remains pure. This distinction is vital for understanding Paul's argument throughout [Romans 7](/romans/7 "Romans 7 - The Struggle with Sin") and his broader theological framework.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Holy (Greek, _hágios'_):** This term (G40) signifies being set apart, consecrated, and pure. It denotes a sacred quality, reflecting God's own holiness and moral purity. When applied to the Law, it emphasizes its divine origin and its untainted, morally perfect nature, being separate from all that is common or defiled.
* **Commandment (Greek, _entolḗ'_):** This word (G1785) refers to an injunction or an authoritative prescription. While "law" (G3551, _nómos_) can refer to the broader Mosaic code, "commandment" often highlights specific divine decrees or individual precepts within that Law. Paul's use of both "law" and "commandment" here serves to reinforce the inherent goodness and holiness of every aspect and every specific demand of God's revealed will.
* **Just (Greek, _díkaios'_):** This term (G1342) means equitable, righteous, or conforming to divine standards. It implies that the Law is perfectly fair in its demands and judgments, aligning with God's perfect justice. The Law is not arbitrary; its requirements are inherently right and morally sound, reflecting God's unwavering righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore the law is holy":** This introductory phrase, "Wherefore" (G5620 _hṓste_ and G3303 _mén_), signals a conclusion drawn from the preceding argument. Paul asserts that the Law, in its essence, is sacred and pure, reflecting the character of the God who gave it. This directly counters any misinterpretation that the Law, because it reveals sin, must itself be sinful.
* **"and the commandment holy":** This clause reiterates and reinforces the holiness, specifically applying it to "the commandment" (G1785 _entolḗ_). The repetition emphasizes that not only the Law in its entirety but also its individual precepts are consecrated and morally pure. This serves to underscore the comprehensive nature of the Law's perfection.
* **"and just, and good":** Paul adds two further, crucial attributes to the Law. "Just" (G1342 _díkaios_) affirms its righteousness and equity, meaning it is perfectly fair and aligns with divine standards of justice. "Good" (G18 _agathós_) denotes its inherent moral excellence and beneficial quality. The Law, in its very nature, is inherently benevolent and aims for humanity's ultimate well-being, even when it exposes human failure.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to emphasize his point. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the anaphora of "holy" ("the law is holy, and the commandment holy"). This repetition powerfully underscores the absolute purity and sacredness of God's Law, leaving no room for doubt about its intrinsic nature. Following this, Paul uses a **Triad** of attributes: "holy, and just, and good." This three-part description creates a sense of completeness and climactic emphasis, comprehensively defining the Law's character. The attributes themselves are examples of **Personification**, as qualities typically ascribed to a moral agent or divine being (holiness, justice, goodness) are attributed to the abstract concept of the Law, thereby elevating its status and reflecting its divine origin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 7:12 is a cornerstone for understanding the Law's role in God's redemptive plan. It firmly establishes that the Law is not the enemy of humanity, but rather a perfect reflection of God's character and will. The problem lies not with the Law, but with fallen human nature's inability to conform to its righteous demands. This understanding is crucial for appreciating the necessity of God's grace and the atoning work of Christ, as it demonstrates that humanity cannot achieve righteousness through self-effort or adherence to a perfect standard they cannot meet. The Law's goodness serves to highlight sin's exceeding sinfulness, making the need for a divine solution all the more evident.

* [Psalm 19:7-8](/psalms/19-7-8 "The Perfection of God's Law")
* [Deuteronomy 4:8](/deuteronomy/4-8 "God's Righteous Statutes")
* [1 Timothy 1:8](/1_timothy/1-8 "The Law is Good if Used Lawfully")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 7:12 offers profound lessons for believers today, shaping our understanding of God, ourselves, and the purpose of His commands. Firstly, it calls us to a deeper appreciation of God's character. His Law, being holy, just, and good, reveals Him as a God of absolute purity, unwavering righteousness, and benevolent intent. His commands are not arbitrary burdens but expressions of His perfect nature and His desire for our ultimate flourishing. Secondly, this verse reinforces our utter dependence on God's grace. If even the perfect Law cannot make us righteous, then our own efforts are certainly insufficient. This should drive us to a humble reliance on the finished work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the Law on our behalf. Finally, it helps us avoid the pitfalls of legalism, which mistakenly seeks to earn salvation or favor through rule-keeping, and antinomianism, which disregards God's moral standards. The Law, while not a means of salvation, remains a divine revelation of God's will and a guide for righteous living for those empowered by the Holy Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the Law as "holy, just, and good" deepen your appreciation for God's character?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to view God's commands as burdensome rather than beneficial? How does this verse challenge that perspective?**
* **If the Law is perfect, and we are imperfect, what does this verse teach us about our need for a Savior?**
* **How can the principles of the Law, though not a path to salvation, still guide and inform your life as a believer living under grace?**

### FAQ

**Does Romans 7:12 contradict Paul's earlier statements about the Law's inability to save or its role in revealing sin?**

Answer: No, it does not contradict. Instead, Romans 7:12 clarifies and qualifies Paul's earlier statements. Paul's argument throughout [Romans 7](/romans/7 "Romans 7 - The Law, Sin, and the Believer's Struggle") is nuanced. He asserts that the Law is not inherently sinful, nor is it the cause of sin. The Law is good and holy, but its perfect standard, when encountered by fallen human nature, serves to expose sin, provoke it, and condemn it. The problem lies not with the Law, but with humanity's sinful flesh, which is unable to obey it. The Law's goodness and holiness are precisely what make it effective in revealing the depth of human sinfulness and the desperate need for a Savior. It sets the perfect standard that we cannot meet, thus highlighting our need for God's grace through Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 7:12, in its declaration of the Law's holiness, justice, and goodness, profoundly points to Christ. If the Law is perfect, then only a perfect one could fulfill it. Jesus Christ, being God incarnate, is the only one who lived a life of perfect obedience to this holy, just, and good Law, thereby satisfying its righteous demands on humanity's behalf. He did not come to abolish the Law, but to "[fulfill it](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")". His sinless life, lived in full conformity to God's perfect will, stands in stark contrast to humanity's universal failure to keep the Law, as highlighted by Paul in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"). Furthermore, Christ's death on the cross was not merely an act of love, but a just and righteous act that satisfied the Law's condemnation against sin, as He became "[a curse for us](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse of the Law")" and bore the penalty the Law demanded. Thus, the Law's perfection, affirmed in [Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy"), underscores the absolute necessity and efficacy of Christ's perfect life and atoning death, offering a righteousness that is "[apart from the law](/romans/3-21 "Romans 3:21 - Righteousness Apart from the Law")" but fully consistent with God's holy and just character. Through faith in Him, believers are declared righteous, not by their own flawed attempts to keep a perfect Law, but by the perfect righteousness of Christ imputed to them, demonstrating that "[Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law")".

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

1 Timothy 1:8

But we know that the law [is] good, if a man use it lawfully;

Psalms 119:137

¶ TZADDI. Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, and upright [are] thy judgments.

Psalms 19:7

¶ The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple.

Psalms 19:12

Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults].

Romans 7:14

¶ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Psalms 119:172

¶ My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments [are] righteousness.

Romans 3:31

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.