1.    In what striking language does the Apostle Paul commence the seventh chapter of Romans?

“Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?” Romans 7:1.

2.    After saying the law hath dominion over a man so long as he lives, then what of the woman and her husband?

“For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband,” Romans 7:2.

3.    For how long a time is she bound to this husband?

“So long as he liveth,” same verse.

4.    But what if this husband be dead?

“But if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband,” same verse.

5.    If while this husband is alive she should attempt to marry another man what would she be called?

“So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress,” Romans 7:3.

6.    What if her husband be dead?

“But if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man,” same verse.

NOTE: The first three verses of this chapter introduce four figures, namely, “the law, the woman, and the first and second husband.” He uses these natural things to represent things that are spiritual. The woman represents the individual, the first husband the carnal nature, while the second husband or new man represents Christ. The law spoken of is the ten commandment law, which if we disobey, binds us to the old man, and holds us guilty as a sinner in the sight of God. On the other hand, if the individual is obedient to the law of God, he or she stands in a position to become married to the new man which is Christ. But if the individual, while a transgressor of God’s law, seeks to be married to Christ the new man, he or she is guilty of spiritual adultery, just the same as a woman having one real husband is guilty of adultery if she marries another man.

7.    In Ephesians, who does Paul say to put off?

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man,” Ephesians 4:22.

8.    In what condition is the old man?

“Which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,” same verse.

9.    Is the carnal mind in accordance with God and His law?

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be,” Romans 8:7.

10.    Is it possible to please God while living in the lusts of the flesh?

“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God,” Romans 8:8.

11.    For whom is the ten commandment law made?

“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,” I Timothy 1:9, 10.

NOTE: By the above statement it is plain who the law is for, and so long as one stands in this condition he or she is married to the old man, which is displeasing in the sight of God. But when our daily life is in accordance with the law of God, then we can come under the blood of Christ, be married to Him, and not be guilty of spiritual adultery.

12.    When the old man is put away to whom can we be joined?

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof,” Romans 13:14.

13.    By what act do we put on Christ?

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ,” Galatians 3:27.

14.    After whom is this new man created?

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness,” Ephesians 4:24.

15.    In what condition must our thoughts be when the new man is put on? “Blessed are the pure of heart: for they shall see God,” Matthew 5:8.

16.    Then what should be our disposition?

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy,” James 3:17. See also Colossians 3:8-17.

17.    When one is living obedient to God’s word, and has put on Christ is he a new creature?

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” II Corinthians 5:17.