Romans 7:12 – “So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.”

Extended Explanation

After explaining how sin takes advantage of God’s commandments to deceive and bring death, Paul makes a clear statement: the problem is not with the law. The law itself is holy, righteous, and good because it comes from God.

Some might have misunderstood Paul’s previous words and thought he was saying the law was bad. But here, he corrects that view. The law reflects God’s character—it is pure, just, and designed for good. The issue is not the law, but human sinfulness.

The law reveals right and wrong, exposes sin, and shows people their need for a Savior. But it cannot make people righteous by itself. It was never meant to be a solution for sin—only a spotlight that reveals the problem.

Paul’s message is this: The law is good, but it cannot save. Instead, it points sinners to Jesus, the only one who can truly rescue them.

Historical Context

Paul was writing to both Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome. The Jewish Christians had grown up with the Mosaic Law and considered it the foundation of their faith. Some may have struggled with Paul’s earlier teaching that Christians are no longer under the law (Romans 6:14, Romans 7:6). They might have thought he was saying that the law was useless or even harmful.

But Paul respected the law—he had been a Pharisee who strictly followed it (Philippians 3:5-6). However, after encountering Jesus, he realized that the law could not save him. Instead, it revealed his need for grace.

By calling the law “holy, righteous, and good,” Paul affirmed its divine origin and purpose. The law was never the problem—sin was. The law was given to Israel to guide them, convict them of sin, and prepare them for the coming of Christ.

Theological Implications

This verse highlights several key spiritual truths:

1. God’s law is good because it reflects His nature. The commandments are not random rules—they are rooted in God’s perfect holiness.
2. The law reveals sin but cannot remove it. It shows people what is right, but it doesn’t give them the power to obey perfectly.
3. People’s failure to keep the law doesn’t make the law bad—it proves their need for Jesus. The law does not fail—human beings fail to live up to it.
4. God’s moral standards do not change. Even though Christians are no longer under the Old Testament law for salvation, the moral principles of God’s law still show what is right and wrong.

Paul wants his readers to see that the law serves a good purpose—it shows the truth about sin and points people to Christ.

Literary Analysis

Paul uses three strong words to describe the law:

• “Holy” – The law is set apart by God, pure, and perfect.
• “Righteous” – The law is just and fair—it defines what is right in God’s eyes.
• “Good” – The law is beneficial—it was given for the well-being of people, not to harm them.

This verse is a turning point in Paul’s argument. After talking about how sin takes advantage of the law to bring death (Romans 7:10-11), he now clarifies that the law itself is good. The problem is not the law—it’s how sin manipulates it in the human heart.

Biblical Cross-References

• Psalm 19:7-8 – “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.” (The law is good and brings wisdom.)
• Deuteronomy 6:24 – “The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.” (God gave the law for the good of His people.)
• Romans 3:31 – “Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.” (Faith in Jesus does not make the law meaningless—it fulfills its purpose.)
• Galatians 3:24 – “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” (The law leads people to Jesus.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Some people today misunderstand God’s commands. Some think that the law is outdated and irrelevant, while others try to follow it legalistically to earn God’s favor. This verse reminds us of the right way to view the law—it is good, but it was never meant to be a means of salvation.

For Christians, this verse is a reminder that God’s standards still matter. Just because believers are saved by grace doesn’t mean they should ignore God’s moral laws. The difference is that instead of trying to obey in their own strength, Christians now follow God’s ways through the power of the Holy Spirit.

It also helps believers understand that rules are not the problem—sin is. Instead of blaming God’s commandments, people should recognize their own need for His grace.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

Some people wrongly think that God’s commands are burdensome or restrictive. But this verse reminds us that God’s law is good. He didn’t give it to control people or take away their freedom—He gave it to protect them and guide them toward life.

A loving parent gives rules to their child not to harm them, but to help them. In the same way, God’s commandments are meant to bless and guide His people. Even though the law cannot save, God’s love is shown in the way He uses it to point people to Jesus.

God’s law is holy because He is holy. He wants people to live in truth and righteousness, and His commandments reveal what that looks like.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the fulfillment of the law.

• Jesus obeyed the law perfectly. He never sinned and lived in full obedience to God’s commandments (Matthew 5:17).
• Jesus showed the true purpose of the law. He taught that the heart behind obedience is love—love for God and love for others (Matthew 22:37-40).
• Jesus provides righteousness apart from the law. Because people fail to keep the law, Jesus offers His righteousness to all who trust in Him (Romans 8:3-4).

Paul’s message is clear: the law is good, but it was never meant to be the final solution. Instead, it was meant to lead people to Jesus, the only one who can truly make them righteous.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever viewed God’s commands as a burden instead of a blessing? How does this verse change your perspective?
2. What does it mean that the law is holy, righteous, and good? How does that impact the way you see sin?
3. How does this verse help balance the idea that Christians are not under the law but still called to obey God?
4. Why do you think Paul needed to clarify that the law is good? How do people misunderstand this today?
5. How does understanding the goodness of the law lead you to appreciate Jesus even more?

This verse is a reminder that God’s law is not the enemy—sin is. The law reveals what is right and wrong, but only Jesus can make people righteous.