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This is a quick outline of how I understand from context Paul's meaning when he used the word "law" in the Epistle to the Romans.

In chapter 2, I intuit that law means "heritage" or "lifestyle," something the Jews had but the Gentiles had not, except if it was written in their hearts as mentioned in Romans 2:15-27.

In chapter 3, I start sensing as an additional meaning, some written or otherwise well-known code of law, perhaps the Torah (the first five books of the Bible, the Jews' foundational Scriptures) or perhaps even the Ten Commandments. (Torah most likely for the second occurrence in Romans 3:21).

Then in Romans 3:27 I find the first instance where "law" means simply a description of how things are, like the "law of gravity" for instance. I sense that Paul wanted to open the minds of his readers to the puns he would use later.

In chapter 4, I think the word "law" sheds the additional meanings from chapter 3 and reverts to "heritage" or "lifestyle," including circumcision here as a sign of obedience to the law.

In chpaters 5, 6, and 7, I find by context an increasing sense that "law" means the Ten Commandments. In fact, in chapter 7, Paul even cited one of the Ten Commandments to illustrate and clarify what he meant by the word "law" (Romans 7:7-8).

Then in Romans 7:21-8:2, I see all I've tied down so far exploded into a veritable fireworks of uses of the word "law." In my previous post, I showed six different uses of this word in these few verses, and these uses again correspond to the "description of how things are" category, like the "law of gravity."

I believe that at this point Paul became so thrilled with the message of victory and so deep into the plight of humans that his language simply exploded into artistic joy. He released all the pent-up frustrations and resolutions in a climax of word play.

After this passage in the Epistle to the Romans, law is used in any of the previously mentioned ways, but from here on out it will always carry both the weight and relief found in this passage.

One notable stop along the way is Romans 13:8-10, where Paul twice stated that love fulfills the law. Here he cited not one but five of the Ten Commandments in order to state plainly which law it is that love fulfills. Context explains the words.

So read the Epistle to the Romans! Savor the word play. Let the context explain the meanings. Immerse yourself with me in the Word of God. Okay?

Next, with this post as background, I will invite your to return with me to the idea of "guilt" in the Epistle to the Romans.