Hi Letitia,
Like Paul’s use of the words ‘flesh’ and ‘works’ in Scripture, ‘law’ is yet another word that incites an interpretation bonanza among scholars. But there is hope: In Anthony C. Thiselton’s book, Discovering Romans: Content, Interpretation, Reception, the chapter on Romans 7 features a well-rounded look at the word ‘law’ and how Paul’s theology may actually be more holistic than inconsistent.
Interestingly, Thiselton uses a kind of ‘Four Senses of Scripture’ approach (so to speak) to propose layers of meaning to the word ‘law’ throughout Paul’s letters (119):
First sense: Somewhat briefly mentioned above, it involves God’s revelation as Holy Scripture (1 Cor 14:21) — that is, what it means to come to know God and to live according to the Torah. And this makes me think of the word ‘covenant’. This crucial word is frequently mentioned in Scripture, and is used in every single Catholic Mass during the consecration of the Eucharist — yet it is, in my view, one of the most underused terms when explaining what is at the core of Christian theology: God’s covenants with humankind; that all of Christian belief revolves around what covenant is supposed to mean: God’s oath — the eternally binding family relationship he wishes to have with humankind.
Second sense: Based on Rom 3:20, 7:7, and 5:13 — and which ties in with your summary — the law creates a conscious understanding of Sin, which those who are supposed to live by the law (particularly Jews) paradoxically use it as a means to commit sin.
Third sense: While the law was originally given to the Jews, it can, to an extent, also apply to the Gentiles. Meaning that although Gentiles are not under Mosaic Law, they are free from the ritualistic aspects of it, though they must still obey moral law. As we have learned in this course, Paul claims the law is good, yet he means moral law and most of the beliefs involving the First and Second Tables (Sanders 101, 109). Still, Paul also recognizes the problems with being hypocritical to the law, and which leads to the final ‘sense’ proposed by Thiselton:
Fourth Sense: Christ was crucified as a ‘curse of the law’ (Gal 3:13), but his resurrection gives humankind the means to become a new creation, to be made righteous with God, just as God’s own righteousness brings the faith that allows believers, as a new creation, to be in accord with God through his saving power.
Therefore, your astute point about the “law of Sin,” as well as Allen’s recent post on Romans 7 (including the excerpt from NT Wright), equals an interpretation of Romans 7 (and much of Romans overall) largely involving the Torah / Pentateuch. In addition, it highlights that Sin, as a cosmic force in conflict with the law, is not solely about individual conscience, but is the corrupt result of the Jews who repeatedly broke covenant with God.
Works Cited
Sanders, E.P. Paul: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2001.
Anthony C. Thiselton. Discovering Romans: Content, Interpretation, Reception. Eerdmans,