The Narrow Path Ministries

I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. Romans 7:9 (ESV)

Exactly when in Paul's life was he "alive?" I understand that the Calvinists contend that all are born spiritually dead. Do they understand this verse to mean that Paul was born spiritually dead, then regenerated, made spiritually alive, only to die again to sin? How does this verse relate to total depravity?

Does this verse lend any support to the concept of an "age of accountability?"

SamIam wrote: Does this verse lend any support to the concept of an "age of accountability?"

In my opinion I would say that it does. When Paul realized he was a law breaker, he was "dead in his sins". Meaning, his sin was worthy of death and he know knew it.

It is my belief that Paul in Romans 7, is not describing his personal condition at any time in his life. Rather he is using the "hypothetical I" to mean anyone in that situation. Here are my thoughts about Romans 7:9 and some of the verses surrounding it:

8 But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.

Without the law, I do not know that certain practices are wrong. In this sense, wrong practice (sin) lies dead. They have no positive effect on me to influence me to change my ways.

9 I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;

When I realize that the Law required particular actions on my part, and required me to refrain from some practices, sin became alive in the sense that it spoke to me about the way I was living.

10 and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;
11 for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.

In what sense did sin "kill" me? Perhaps verse 19 helps to explain:

19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.

If I can't do the good I want to do, or refrain from the evil that I do not want to practise, then I am dormant, unable to perform. You might as well say that I am dead.

SamIam wrote:

I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. Romans 7:9 (ESV)

Exactly when in Paul's life was he "alive?" I understand that the Calvinists contend that all are born spiritually dead. Do they understand this verse to mean that Paul was born spiritually dead, then regenerated, made spiritually alive, only to die again to sin? How does this verse relate to total depravity?

Does this verse lend any support to the concept of an "age of accountability?"

It could/ might mean that Paul was "alive" in his own eyes before the HS open Paul's eyes and he saw the law in a new light and how he couldn't meet it's demands. So it could have been Paul's perception of himself before Christ.