01/29/21 WHAT’S NEW? #15 — Romans 7:6 (HCSB) But now we have been released from the law, since we have died to what held us, so that we may SERVE IN THE NEW WAY OF THE SPIRIT and not in the old letter of the law.

“released from the Law”: Not freedom to do what God's law forbids (6:1, 15; 8:4; cf. 3:31), but freedom from the spiritual liabilities and penalties of God's law (see v. 4; cf. Gal 3:13). Because we died in Christ when He died (see 6:2), the law with its condemnation and penalties no longer has jurisdiction over us (vv. 1-3).

“SERVE”: This is the verb form of the word for "bond-servant" (see 1:1), but here it is parallel to being slaves of righteousness (cf. 6:18, 19, 22), emphasizing that THIS SERVICE IS NOT VOLUNTARY. NOT ONLY is the believer ABLE to do what is right, he WILL do what is right.

“IN THE NEW WAY OF THE SPIRIT”: A NEW state of mind which the Spirit produces, characterized by A NEW DESIRE AND ABILITY TO KEEP THE LAW OF GOD (see 8:4).

“The old letter of the law”: The external, written law code that produced only hostility and condemnation. (adapted from The MacArthur Study Bible)