The title is taken from the subject verse. “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.”
“For I was alive without the law once” Three
questions immediately arise from reading these words: (1.) what does the
Apostle mean by “I was alive” (2.) what is the meaning of “without the law” and
(3.) when was “once”?
“For I was alive” By this expression the
Apostle means; that in his own sight and estimation of himself he was justified
and righteous in the sight of God, and because righteous in God’s sight the
Apostle thought himself not under the curse of spiritual death, but in the
blessed condition of having everlasting
life. In Philippians 3:4-6 the Apostle gives his reasons for thinking himself
alive, and in a blessed condition. It should be noted that Paul’s reasons for
thinking himself justified in God’s sight are reasons that are attributed to
the flesh; it must also be noted that “by deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified
in his (God’s) sight” (Romans 3:20). Since by deeds of the law no flesh shall
be justified, it is clear that, while Saul (for Saul was his Jewish name) was a
Pharisee, and looked upon as in the flesh and under the law, he was not
justified but condemned.
“Without the law” By this expression the Apostle means that;
while he was in the religion of the Pharisees, and in that religion, thinking
himself righteous in God’s sight by deeds of the law; he had no true knowledge
of the law. The Apostle thought that “touching the righteousness which is in
the law (he was) blameless.”(Philippians 3:6) At that time the Apostle had
thought that outward actions alone were governed by the law, and had not been
aware that not only actions, but thoughts, motives, attitudes, and desires of
the heart are the arena of the governance of the law; one must obey in thought
as well as word and deed; Romans 7:7 “for I had not known lust, except the law
had said, thou shalt not covet.” “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on
a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his
heart.”(Matthew 5:28)
“Once” Before the conversion of Saul,
while a religious Pharisee, who thought his “deeds of law” (Romans 3:20) or his
keeping the law was enough to bring him in righteous before God. But should not
Saul of Tarsus have known that; “But we all are as an unclean thing, and all
our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we do fade as a leaf; and our
iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6).
“But when the commandment came” When
Paul (Paul was his gentile name) saw the extent of the demand of the law of
God; that, the law is spiritual, and that the law requires perfect obedience in
heart, thought, attitude and desire, and as an out growth of that, absolute
obedience in actions, words, and deeds; that the law of God governs thoughts,
and motives, as the fountain and source of our deeds.
“Sin revived” The indwelling principle
and rule of sin was awakened and provoked: that is; “the motions of sin which
were by the law” (Romans 7:5); indwelling sin being restrained and confined by
the commandment burst into overt rebellion against the law giver. Sin was
already in the heart but had no confining principle, and was at ease, because
it was lord of the house. But now restraint had appeared and threatened sins
dominion over the house; and.
“ I
died” Paul found that rather than being alive unto God, by obedience to the
law of God, he was the bond salve of sin, and was dead in sin and in trespasses
as are all unregenerate men. The Apostle, to this point had had a very high
opinion of himself, “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any
other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Circumcised the eighteth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin,
an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal,
persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law blameless.
(Philippians 3:4-6) Saul of Tarsus found, after all, that he was the chief of
sinners, and that his personal obedience of the law was the very thing kept him
from God’s salvation which is in Jesus Christ.
A.J. Ison
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