“Overcome Evil with Good”

All Posts Archived Lessons New Testament Old Testament Book of Mormon Doctrine & Covenants Search “Overcome Evil with Good” CFMCorner Aug 11, 2023 32 min read Updated: Jun 24, 2025 CFM: August 14–20 Romans 7–16 Videos and Podcasts Video/ Podcast Lesson Extension Additional Materials Scripture Central Romans 7-16 Study Guide Follow Him Romans 7-16 Part 1 , Part 2 Transcripts Line Upon Line Romans 7-16 FHE Lesson Teaching with Power Romans 7-16 Don't Miss This Romans 7-16 CFM New Testament Romans 7-16 Unshaken Romans 7-16 ( Part 1 , Part 2 ) The Interpreter Foundation Romans 7-16 Study helps by Jonn Claybaugh Teaching Helps with John Hilton Romans 7-16 Ponderfun Romans 7-16 ( not yet posted ) Talking Scripture Romans 7-16 Show Notes Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class , New Testament The Epistles of Paul, Romans Slides arnt24_presentation .ppsx Download PPSX • 5.60MB Notes , Handouts Resources and Insights about this Week's Lesson This week I have added an additional source to the list above, the Hurricane Adult Religion Class has a treasure trove of information, from Slides that can be used in teaching a Sunday School Class, to detailed Summaries and Handouts, this is a link you will want to take advantage of! Romans can be a challenging text to navigate. Last week's lesson may have left some readers scratching their heads, overwhelmed with several confusing passages, and this week's readings can be even more demanding. Not only are there more of them, but language and translation barriers can cause some significant issues with interpretation. Historically, interpretation and misinterpretation issues have led to serious debates and divisions among various Christian communities. Bruce R. McConkie expressed his view that “the Epistle of Romans has caused more doctrinal misunderstanding and misinterpretation than any other Biblical book, even surpassing the Book of Revelation.” So this is a serious issue, and something we need to be cognisant of. To overcome these challenges, utilizing Interlinear translations, along with Greek and Hebrew dictionaries and concordances can be highly beneficial. These tools help to shed light on the meaning of the text as it was initially intended. This can help one to foster a deeper understanding of and appreciation for Paul's message. An example of one of the more prominent controversies that members of the Church uncounter are Paul's writings regarding faith, i.e grace vs. works. Many Protestant Christians believe in the concept of sola fide—“faith alone,” whereas LDS doctrine teaches that both faith and works are essential for salvation and eternal progression. We touched upon this topic last week in our discussion between the Greek words for Justification and Sanctification. In this case, the dictionaries and concordances helped to clarify some of the questionable passages. We observed that in the English translations, these words and concepts are frequently lumped together, and the distinction between the two principles is not always very clear, which can cause considerable confusion. Many of the disagreements that developed between various faith communities stemmed from differences in interpretations that were further complicated with multiple translations, editions, and various cultural and language barriers. Of the roughly 25,000 surviving fragments of the New Testament that we currently have, only around 5,800 are written in Greek. Out of those documents, only about 450 were written prior to the 10th century, and there are multiple discrepancies between all of them. One can observe this by analyzing the variations between some of the more prominent ancient codices, such as the Codex Vaticanus (325-350), Codex Sinaiticus (350-360), Codex Alexandrinus (400-440), Codex Ephraemi (~450), and Vulgate (384 Latin). This demonstrates how challenging it can be to sort out what was the original message, so that one can more aptly discern between the differences in the various accounts. Thankfully, we have the Book of Mormon and modern-day prophets who can help us to navigate these sometimes turbulent topics. ( New Testament Manuscripts, Textual Families, and Variants ) Next to the Gospels, the Book of Acts and Romans were the most widely distributed text of the New Testament. This supports their authenticity, however, the various ways in which these books have been recorded and interpreted among different communities demonstrates how fluid these texts and their interpretations actually were, especially early on before there was an opportunity to standardize them. We must remember that prior to the invention of the printing press, all of these records had to be written out by hand, numerous scribes and translators were involved in the process of their replication, and anyone who has done translation work knows that there are multiple ways in which something can be interpreted. The process of translation is tricky, and can be influenced by numerous factors: personal or social bias, political or theological agendas, artistic interpretation, accidental mistakes, misunderstandings, difficulties in being able to read and decipher prior documents, education or lack thereof, language fluency, etc. Nephi even addressed this when he prophesied that many of the plain and simple truths of the Bible would be lost as it was disseminated among the Gentile nations 2 Nephi 29 . So, do not be discouraged if these sections feel overwhelming, you are not alone! Hopefully, the different resources and commentaries that are available on this site will help. Also, feel free to ask questions on the Facebook threads that I post these lessons on. I may not know the answers, but I will do my best to help you find resources, and hopefully others will chime in as well. Cultural and Historical Context for Romans 7: In this chapter, Paul delves into the struggle between sin and the law, emphasizing one's inability to overcome sin through their own merit and efforts. He highlights the tension between the desire to obey God's law and the ongoing battle with sinful inclinations. The chapter ultimately points to the need for deliverance through Christ. In Paul's time, the Jewish audience in Rome would have been familiar with the significance of the Mosaic Law and its role in defining sin. This stemmed from the events of the Fall. Because of Adam and Eve's transgression, the Lord “gave them over” ( παρέδωκεν from last week's lesson) and allowed them to learn through their own experience how the Law worked, both the positive and negative aspects and consequences of the Law. The scriptures teach that obedience to the Law ultimately results in freedom and blessings. Whereas, disobedience to the Law ultimately results in negative consequences that include death, bondage, adversity, sorrow, pain, and so forth. Jewish religious life revolved around the Law, and the strict observance of its commandments was crucial for spiritual identity. The Jews were blessed with abundant revelations and knowledge, receiving greater light than others. However, with this privilege came greater responsibility, as they were accountable for using this knowledge properly. Those who sin against such abundant light will face greater condemnation. The Law operates with justice and judgment as the penalties affixed to these terms and conditions. Doctrine and Covenants 82:3–4 , 1 Nephi 2:20-21 . Therefore, the Law, by its nature does not have the power to provide deliverance. Paul points out that Jewish history, particularly the experience of exile and captivity, demonstrated that the law alone could not save them from sin's power and the consequences of disobedience. It was only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that the Law could be satisfied and mercy could be obtained. The Jews were not alone in their efforts to understand these complicated principles, the Greco-Roman culture of the time also struggled to comprehend these types of moral and ethical dilemmas. Numerous scholars grappled with the idea of virtue, and the human struggle to control one's desires and appetites in the pursuit of a higher moral life and character. Paul's discussion in Romans 7 addresses these cultural and historical contexts. He presents a universal human experience, regardless of cultural background, where individuals recognize their inability to achieve righteousness through the law or their own efforts. The chapter underscores the necessity of grace and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ to free believers from the power of sin, death, bondage, and pain. Scripture Major Topics/ Themes Summary Key Words & Cross-References Videos & Resources Romans 7 INT Book of Romans Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 2 vs. 5-16) Romans 1:1-7 Law & Sin Paul begins by illustrating the analogy of marriage, explaining how a person is bound to the law until death. Christ's Atonement answered the demands of the Law through his death; he paid the ransom for the Fall of mankind and purchased our sins. With his death and resurrection, a new and everlasting Law was brought to pass, and because of this, we are no longer subjected to the rigorous demands of the Mosaic Law, but we are indebted to Him. We are released from death and Hell through the redemptive Power of Jesus Christ, no longer fastened with the chains of condemnation and guilt. This allows us to move forward, to freely serve God with a new heart and a renewed Spirit. Through the Gift of the Holy Ghost, we can better understand the true Spirit of the Law rather than relying on the traditional and fallible interpretations of the letter alone. κυριεύει “It has Dominion” (the Law) אָדון , בַּעַל ; δέδεται " bound , fastened in chains" θανα τόω “death” הֵמִית הָרַג ; What Is My Purpose as a Missionary? Romans 7: 7-13 The Struggle with Sin Paul discusses the function of the law (Torah) in revealing sin and helping one to