²⁴ So the law was our guardian until Christ came^(A) that we might be justified by faith.^{(B) 25} Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.^(C)

The Law and Sin

⁷ What shall we say, then?^(A) Is the law sinful? Certainly not!^(B) Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.^(C) For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”^[a](D)

¹² So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.^(A)

²² For in my inner being^(A) I delight in God’s law;^(B)

²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!^(A)

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law,^(B) but in my sinful nature^[a] a slave to the law of sin.^(C)