Paul said that before he understood God's law he felt happy, free and alive. But when he read that he was a sinner, he found God's law condemning him to death.

Paul has been describing the effect which God's law had had on him. It had made him feel guilty for his sin and strangely inflamed his natural desire to do what displeases God.

The Bible is realistic about fallen human nature. With staggering honesty, Paul the apostle admits to sinning, and being unable to stop himself.

Despite our sinfulness, our inability to control or reform ourselves, and despite the ineffectiveness of religious rules ... those who believe in Jesus are released from condemnation.