Romans 8

When Paul speaks of the law of sin and death in Romans 8, is he speaking about the 10 Commandments or is he simply speaking of Genesis? The law of sin and death can be simply stated as sin brings death, beginning with Genesis, it wasn't a new concept in Exodus 20 with the giving of the law constituting the nation of Israel as God's people. The law of sin and death applies to all flesh.

When he speaks of Jesus setting us free from that law, it must mean more than the 10 Commandments, it is the law that applies to all flesh, not just those who were under the particular laws of Israel. The law of sin and death is the law for everyone, just as Christ's death wasn't just for those who had been circumcised.

John used great wisdom in starting his Gospel with the words of Genesis. In doing so, he connected the creation story to the redemption story, it is all one story. Paul, in speaking of the law of sin and death, does the same in his own way. He says that if we live by the Spirit we set our minds on the things of the Spirit. When they sinned in the garden it seemed their minds were set on the things of the Spirit, desiring wisdom, but they sought it through material things, which were appealing to the eye and good to eat. Truly setting our minds on the things of the Spirit allows us to understand the source of those things isn't found in material things. I wonder when I will ever really get that truth at a heart level that sees me living by it.