514 -- Mega No-Toes!
July 7 (7/7) in Godsfield -- Romans 7:7
(For Better or Verse: Each day in 2025 I will begin this Godsfield e-mail with a Bible verse that corresponds with the month (chapter 1-12) and day (verse 1-31) it is sent. This month features a lot of seventh chapters! Those with eyes and ears, let them see and hear.)
Romans 7:7 — What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”
Heavens, no!
Of course not!
Heaven forbid!
No way, Jose!
Not a chance!
Don't be ridiculous!
Pshaw!
Under no circumstances!
By no means!
Mega no-toe! (English version of Greek transliteration.)
Bible translators have had a field day coming up with ways to translate Paul's response to the question, "Is the law sinful?'
He had written about the law in such a way that people might think that. It doesn't bring salvation, does it? It just exposes our need for salvation, our sinfulness.
So is it sinful?
Whatever Paul says, (May Genoito), he was saying pretty emphatically NO! And every bible translation seems to look for its own way of translating it, as that list shows. (I might have made up a few of those.)
But what makes me smile -- for joy in the Lord, by the way -- is how Paul wants to explain the value of the law without giving it any prestige compared to the importance of the grace of God and the gift of life that Jesus presents us on the cross.
It also can make us aware that people who don't understand this grace, probably don't know of their sin, most likely because they are ignorant of God's law, and why that law is there in the first place -- to save their life!
If I don't know what God rightfully expects, how can I know that I am rightfully condemned by that? So can I dismiss the law as meaningless?
Mega No-Toe!
I may covet the joy that comes from knowing the amazing grace of God, but I don't need to.
It's already in my hands, placed there by pierced hands.
Love ya,
Paul