Topical Bible: Sin: The Law: Gives Knowledge of

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The concept of sin in the Bible is intricately linked to the Law, which serves as a divine standard revealing the nature of sin. The Law, given by God, acts as a mirror reflecting human shortcomings and transgressions. It is through the Law that individuals gain an understanding of what constitutes sin, as it delineates the boundaries of righteous living according to God's will.

Romans 3:20 states, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin." This verse highlights the primary function of the Law: to make individuals conscious of their sinful nature. The Law does not provide justification or salvation; rather, it exposes the reality of sin, underscoring humanity's need for redemption.

In Romans 7:7, the Apostle Paul further elaborates, "What then shall we say? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been aware of sin if it had not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'" Here, Paul acknowledges that the Law is not sinful; instead, it is holy and righteous, serving to illuminate specific sins, such as coveting, that might otherwise remain hidden or unrecognized.

The Law's role in revealing sin is also evident in Galatians 3:19, which asks, "Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions until the arrival of the Seed to whom the promise referred." The Law was instituted to address transgressions, acting as a temporary measure until the coming of Christ, the promised Seed, who would fulfill the Law and offer a path to salvation.

Moreover, 1 Timothy 1:8-10 affirms the goodness of the Law when used appropriately: "Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching." This passage underscores that the Law is designed to confront and correct sinful behavior, providing a moral framework for understanding what is contrary to God's holiness.

In essence, the Law functions as a tutor, guiding individuals to the recognition of their sinfulness and their need for a Savior. It sets the stage for the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the Law and offers grace and forgiveness to those who believe. Through the Law, believers are made aware of their inability to achieve righteousness on their own, pointing them to the necessity of faith in Christ for true justification and reconciliation with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 3:20
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 7:7
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Spirit of the Law
... Paul's position that the law gives the knowledge of sin, just because it presents
an impossible elevation in its ideal, is not opposed to the point of view of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the spirit of the law.htm

The Favourable Testimonies of More Recent Divines
... God to terminate this ignorance, he sends forth his law, and gives us to ... this subject,
the apostle speaks thus: "I had not known sin but by the law; for I ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/v the favourable testimonies of.htm

"For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me ...
... God gives us over to iniquity and unrighteousness, and we yield ... Nay, all these
principles of light and knowledge in the ... Romans 7:8. Without the law, sin is in ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vii for the law.htm

The Rediscovered Law and Its Effects
... how the latter goes cautiously to work, and at first only says that he has received
'a book.' He gives it no ... 'By the law is the knowledge of sin.' To many ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the rediscovered law and its.htm

The School of Obedience
... what Paul speaks of in Romans, when he says, Sin shall not ... The law promises life,
if we obey. Grace gives life, even the Holy Spirit with the assurance that we ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/vii the school of obedience.htm

"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak through the ...
... Our legs are cut off by sin, and the law cannot ... nay, our life is put out, and the
law cannot quicken us ... It declares our duty, but gives no ability; it teacheth ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xi for what the.htm

Law and Grace.
... Grace says"Blessed is the man whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sin is covered;
blessed is the man to whom the ... The Law demands holiness ... Grace gives holiness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter v law and grace.htm

Josiah and the Newly Found Law
... The straightforward story of our passage gives a most natural explanation of the ...
The first function of the law is to arouse the knowledge of sin, as Paul ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah and the newly found.htm

"Now the End of the Commandment is Charity Out of a Pure Heart ...
... cannot stand in terms of justice, yet he gives sincere and upright obedience, which
the law should never ... The command wrought sin and death, by occasion of ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xi now the end.htm

The True Excellence of Man.
... For when you take away the cause of fear, sin, you have taken away ... much more, punishment,
when you have taken away that which gives rise to ... "For the law is not ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iii the true excellence of.htm