7:5
The latest version of the NIV says “when we were in the realm of the flesh”, older versions (along with some other translations) say “when we were controlled by our sinful nature”. “flesh” is a better translation, for “sinful nature” implies things that are overtly sinful, such as lust, hatred, immorality, selfishness etc. Now these things certainly are sinful, and if we live according to them it will certainly do us, and others, no good. However, what Paul is saying here and throughout chapter 8 is that it is our human nature, or flesh, that is inherently corrupt and will produce corruption. The law was good but our nature was not, so the good commands had the effect of arousing sinful desires. When society tries to deal with a problem it does so by producing a mountain of laws and regulations. Some of these may be good, but they will not solve the problem. The fundamental problem is us, and it is us that need to be changed. This is what the gospel does.
7:6
The old way of serving will not do any good, and we have been released from that way of life. We have died to the flesh. So we are to serve in a new way, the way of the Spirit. We are still to serve, serving God is fundamental, what is new is the way in which we serve. Serving by the way of the Law cannot work for it relies on our corrupt human nature and so will produce only bad fruit. It is like replacing the pump on a well that is drawing from contaminated water. Changing the pump does no good for the water is still coming from a contaminated source. Likewise getting a new set of rules on its own does no good. We need a new way, and that way is the way of the Spirit. We are justified through faith, and we live by the Spirit.
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