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I. THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT signifies the power of the Holy Spirit, by which He unites the soul to Christ, in whose righteousness it therefore partakes, and is consequently justified. This law is the gospel, whereof the Holy Ghost is the Author, being the authoritative rule and the instrument by which He acts in the plan of salvation. It is the medium through which He promulgates the Divine testimony; by which also He convinces of sin and testifies of the almighty Saviour. The gospel may be properly denominated a law, because it bears the stamp of Divine authority, to which we are bound to "submit" (Romans 10:3). It requires the obedience of faith (Romans 1:5; Romans 16:26); and when men refuse this submission, it is said that they have not "obeyed the gospel" (Romans 10:16). Although, therefore, the gospel is proclaimed as a grace, it is a grace accompanied with authority, which God commands to be received. Accordingly, it is expressly called a "law" (Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2); and in Psalm 110:2, referring to the power exerted by its means, it is said, "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion. Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies" — namely, by thine almighty power. The gospel, then, is the law of the Spirit by which He rules, and the rod of His strength, by which He effects our salvation, just as, in Romans 1:16, it is denominated "the power of God unto salvation." The gospel is itself called "the Spirit," as being administered by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:8).

II. THE GOSPEL IS THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE, the ministration of which "giveth life," in opposition to the "letter" or old covenant that killeth (2 Corinthians 3:6; cf. John 6:63; Ezekiel 37:14; 1 Corinthians 15:45). Christ is the life itself, and the source of life to all creatures. But here the life is that which we receive through the gospel, as the law or power of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which the apostle calls "the life of God" (Ephesians 4:18).

III. THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS. Jesus Christ is set before us in two aspects. As God, the Spirit of life resides essentially in Him; but as Mediator, the Spirit of life has been given to Him to be communicated to all who are one with Him. On this account the Spirit was not given in His fulness (John 7:39) till Jesus Christ as Mediator had entered into heaven, when the Father, solemnly receiving His satisfaction, gave this testimony of His acceptance, in pouring out the abundance of the Spirit on His people (John 16:7; Ephesians 1:3). That the Spirit of life is in Jesus Christ, not only as God, but also as Mediator, is a ground of unspeakable consolation. It might be in Him as God, without being communicated to men; but as the Head of His people, it must be diffused through them as His members, who are thus complete in Him. Dost thou feel in thyself the sentence of death? Listen, then "This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life; and this life is in His Son." "I am come that they might have life." "Because I live ye shall live also." This life, then, is in Jesus Christ, and is communicated to believers by the Holy Spirit, by whom they are united to Christ, and from whom it is derived to all who through the law of the Spirit of life are in Him.

(R. Haldane.)

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KJV: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

WEB: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.