The Epistle of Paul to the Romans

(Rom 7:9) For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

"I was once alive apart from the Law ...” When was Paul alive apart from the law? When was Paul ever apart from the law?

Paul was born a Jew and lived his life under the law. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews, Php_3:4-5, a Pharisee, born in Tarsus, Act_21:39, the son of a Pharisee, Act_23:6, and educated by Gamaliel, Act_22:3 . When Paul first experienced salvation, he was free from the law, because he was under grace not the law. He was apart from the law and was alive because of grace. ".......but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died ...” But when the commandment came, "thou shall not covet" Paul put himself back under the law in an attempt to obey the law. Sin revived and Paul died. Paul here is explaining sanctification. The law cannot save anyone, it can only tell you that you have sinned. Paul is saying here, that the law cannot sanctify anyone either. As soon as you attempt to be sanctified by the works of the law, you will die.