The Old Testament law with all its rules, ceremonies and rituals no longer binds the Christian (v1). Jesus by His perfect life and sacrificial death fulfilled all that it pointed to, thus freeing New Testament believers from its requirements (v2-4).

The Old Testament law was good (v7), it shows what God requires and what sin is. But the law had a great weakness, it couldn’t change evil people. Indeed, when people read in the law what they ought not to do, it often puts the sin in their mind so that they commit it (v8-11). The problem was not with the law but with the sinfulness of people (v12-14).

Paul speaks of how even now in his life he experienced a battle between good and evil (v15-23). The good he wants to do he doesn’t do, and the evil he hates, he does. Sin is still at work in him. This causes him to cry out almost in despair (v24).

But Paul knows there is a wonderful answer to the problem of sin (v25). Victory is not to be found through greater effort but rather it is to be found in Christ, crying to Him for grace and strength. Let us do this today!