1. The leading doctrine of this section is that taught in v. 14 of the preceding chapter, viz. that believers are not under a legal system ; and that the consequence of their freedom is not the indulgence of sin, but the service of God, v. 4.
2. This deliverance from the law is not effected by setting the law aside, or by disregarding its demands; but by those demands being satis- fied in the person of Christ, v. 4. ch. 10 : 4.
3. As far as we are concerned, redemption is in order to holiness. We are delivered from the law that we may be united to Christ, and we are united to Christ, that we may bring forth fruit unto God, v. 4, &c.
4. Legal or self-righteous strivings after holiness can never be success- ful. The relation in which they suppose the soul to stand to God, is, from its nature, productive of evil, and not of holy feelings, v. 5.
5. Actual freedom from the bondage and penalty of the law, is always attended and manifested by a filial temper and obedience, v. 6.
6. The doctrine concerning marriage, which is here incidentally taught, or rather which is assumed as known to Jews and Christians, is, that the marriage contract can only be dissolved by death. The only exception to this rule is given by Christ, Matt. 5 : 32 ; unless indeed Paul, in 1 Cor. 7 : 15, recognises wilful and final desertion as a sufficient ground of divorce, vs. 2, 3.