Romans 7:10

10 and this commandment, which was ¹to result in life, proved to result in death for me;

Romans 7:10 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 7:10

And the commandment which was ordained to life
The law which promised a continuance of an immortal life to Adam, in case of perfect obedience to it; and which was appointed to the Israelites, that by the observation of it they might live in the land of Canaan, and in the quiet and full possession of their privileges and enjoyments; but was never ordained to eternal life, or that men should obtain that by their obedience to it; since eternal life is the free gift of God, without respect to any works of men; see ( Galatians 3:21 ) ; This same law, the apostle says,

I found to be unto death;
as it was an occasion, through the vitiosity of nature, of stirring up sin in him, which brought forth fruit unto death; as it convinced him that he was a dead man and worthy of death; as it threatened him with it, and struck all his hopes of eternal life dead, and left him in this condition without giving him the least direction or assistance whereby to obtain life.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Romans 7:10 In-Context

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

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

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.

12 So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

Cross References 1

1. Leviticus 18:5; Luke 10:28; Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:12

Footnotes 2

[a]. Lit "to life"
[b]. Lit "to death"