Romans 7:7-8
7 “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Far from it! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.”
Paul is addressing these questions about the law precisely because grace, when emphasized correctly, breeds such questions. If grace is free, then logically we wonder if we will abuse it. We may even think that we need a little law to prevent this abuse. But Paul is clear: The law reveals sin. Of course, Paul is not saying that the Law is bad in some way. The problem is not the law but people under the law. This reality is seen in Paul’s own life. The law killed Paul by showing the depth of his covetousness.
Taking an opportunity through the commandment: There can be no doubt as to whether or not Paul is talking about the Ten Commandments here. In Paul’s life, they aroused coveting of every kind.
