Romans 7: What Am I Doing?

Announcements:

-Student Ministry meets bi weekly! (5/22)

-FRIDAY NIGHT @ THE Q: GAME NIGHT PT.3 5/24-7:00pm

-Daughters Of The King 6/15

-Wednesday Night Bible Study (at the building and on zoom @7pm)-Gospel Of John

-Thursday Night Prayer @6:45

-Offering/Giving, Online or in the black box.

Read all of Romans 7.

Pray!

Section 1: The Layout (Romans 7:1-6)

-Romans 7 is one of the most disputed and controversial chapters in the Bible among theologians, scholars, and believers due to its complex and nuanced discussion of the nature of sin, the law, and human nature. Augustine changed his mind about its meaning, so we have precedent for swinging back and forth in our own interpretation. And I recognize that I can hardly give the last word on a text that has been argued over for thousands of years.

But as we move through this today i want us to try and really grasp what Paul is communicating and how when we as believers understand it a certain way we can sometimes mis apply it to our lives and use it to excuse our behavior….

Lets Read!

Since I am speaking to those who know the law, brothers and sisters, don’t you know that the law rules over someone as long as he lives?

2 For example, a married woman is legally bound to her husband while he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law regarding the husband.

3 So then, if she is married to another man while her husband is living, she will be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law. Then, if she is married to another man, she is not an adulteress.

4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also were put to death in relation to the law through the body of Christ so that you may belong to another. You belong to him who was raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God.

-In chapter 6, Paul used two illustrations to reinforce his bold claim that those who are in Christ are radically transformed individuals.

- He spoke first in biological imagery regarding the contrast between being dead to sin and alive to righteousness.

-The second illustration centered on the cultural practice of slavery, a thriving reality in Paul’s time. He pointed out how believers are freed from the bondage of sin and its control over their lives. Paul then calls us to be liberated slaves—bound in loyalty and obligation to righteousness, which produces a godly character in us.

-Now, in chapter 7, Paul calls us to be remarried widows! He uses a legal illustration dealing with marriage laws to stress that we are now related intimately to Christ and dare not share that relationship with the former suitors of our lives—sin and law.

-Biblical scholars consider these first few verses of chapter 7 to be among the most difficult passages by Paul to understand. He appears to be headed in the right direction with his illustration, pointing out that an old relationship has been severed by death in order that a new relationship might be created and developed.

-The new relationship is obvious—it is our union with Christ which Paul elsewhere clearly parallels with the marriage relationship (see Ephesians 5:22–33).

-But who is the former spouse? It would appear that it is the law, in which case Paul is addressing these verses to Jewish converts (men who know the law [v. 1]), who are still feeling obligated, if not wedded, to all the restrictions of their previous understanding of salvation. Yet as Paul moves through this passage the law becomes both the spouse and the legal restrictions that hold the marriage together. This gets confusing.

-In this passage Paul wants to emphasis further the fact that the new standing with God through Christ leads to a radical change in one’s nature and relationship with past realities.

-Paul points to laws familiar to the Jews living in Rome which indicate that monogamy is the appropriate relationship for marriage partners.

-Just as a slave cannot serve two masters, a woman cannot be committed to two husbands simultaneously. But, when death ends the marriage relationship, the woman is free to bind herself to a new love relationship.

-The point Paul is illustrating seems obvious. In their old lives, believers were bound to their sinful natures, unable to commit themselves to a free act of devotion to Christ. But, death to sin, described in 6:1–10, has broken that former relationship that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God (Rom. 7:4).

-Simple enough—until Paul weaves into this illustration the motif of the law. The result is a double bondage: on the one hand, these Jewish converts had been bound to sin; but they were also bound by law.

-Having clearly established our freedom from the sin nature by our identification with Christ, Paul now turns to an earlier topic—the nature and function of the law. Although it is sin that corrupts us and brings the wages of death, the law is also present in a “good news/bad news” sort of way

-When we look at Romans 7 as a whole, we find a clear structure. Which is outlined by Paul in these next two verses 5–6

5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions aroused through the law were working in us to bear fruit for death.

6 But now we have been released from the law, since we have died to what held us, so that we may serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the old letter of the law.

-Verse 5 depicts pre-Christian experience, describing a time “when we were in the flesh,” and explains that the flesh produced “death.” Verse 6 refers to Christians in four terms: “But now,” “released,” “died” (to our old life), and “Spirit.” Virtually all commentators agree that verse 5 refers to unbelievers and verse 6 to believers.

-But here is the key point: Romans 7:7–25 unpacks verse 5, and Romans 8:1–17 unpacks verse 6. In verses 7–25 we see how sin via the law brings death to those in the flesh, and in Romans 8:1–17 we see how the Spirit grants life to those who belong to Jesus Christ. Romans 7:5–6 forecasts what Paul is about to say in remarkably clear terms.

LETS CONTINUE READING

Section 2:Sin Highjacks The Law (Romans 7:7-13)

7 What should we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! But I would not have known sin if it were not for the law. For example, I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, Do not covet. 8 And sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind. For apart from the law sin is dead.

-Paul begins by addressing a potential misunderstanding: "Is the law sin?" He answers with a resounding "Absolutely not!" The law itself is not sinful; it is holy, just, and good. Its primary purpose is to reveal sin, to act as a mirror reflecting our true moral state.

-Paul explains that he would not have known sin except through the law. For instance, he would not have understood coveting as sin without the commandment, "Do not covet." The law defines sin and exposes our sinful nature.

-The law brings knowledge of sin, making us aware of our moral shortcomings. It is through this awareness that we understand our need for God's grace.

9 Once I was alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life again 10 and I died. The commandment that was meant for life resulted in death for me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.

-The commandment, meant to bring life, results in death because sin manipulates it to incite disobedience. This paradox highlights the insidious nature of sin and our inability to attain righteousness through our own efforts.

- Paul reveals a troubling reality: sin seizes the opportunity through the commandment. The law, intended to guide us towards righteousness, is hijacked by sin. Instead of leading to life, the law stirs up sinful desires within us.

-Consider the example of a child told not to touch a hot stove. (who in here is a stove toucher! LOL) The prohibition, while protective, might increase the child's curiosity and desire to touch the stove. Similarly, the commandment "Do not covet" can incite a rebellious desire within us to covet even more.

12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. 13 Therefore, did what is good become death to me? Absolutely not! But sin, in order to be recognized as sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment, sin might become sinful beyond measure.

-Without the law, we might not fully grasp the depth and seriousness of our sin. The law makes sin exceedingly sinful by showing its opposition to God's holy standards. It highlights how far we fall short and how desperately we need salvation.

-When Paul says that sin might become "sinful beyond measure," he means that the law exposes the full extent of sin’s wickedness. The law magnifies sin's true nature, making it utterly apparent just how destructive and evil sin is.

Section 3:What Am I Doing? (Romans 7:14-25)

Now we are going to get into Romans 7:14-25 which is a passage that has sparked significant debate and controversy among theologians, scholars, and believers due to its complex and nuanced discussion of the nature of sin, the law, and human nature.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold as a slave under sin. 15 For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. 19 For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one that does it, but it is the sin that lives in me. 21 So I discover this law: When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me.

22 For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, 23 but I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body.

-The Holy Spirit is never mentioned in Romans 7:7–25. But Paul refers to the Spirit 15 times in Romans 8:1–17, suggesting that the person described in Romans 7:7–25 is one who doesn’t have the Spirit in his life.

The essence of what it means to be a Christian is to be indwelt with the Spirit (Rom. 8:9). We see in both Romans 7:14 and 7:18 that the one described is of the “flesh,” one who is still in the old Adam, one who is unregenerate.

Faith alone reconciles one to God, and God chooses to declare us what we are not—righteous. But, in the eyes of the world (and ourselves), we remain the same “struggler in the storm-tossed sea” that we were before salvation, with the one monumental difference that we dare to believe what does not seem to be so.

Thus Luther could summarize his view of salvation by declaring that we are “at the same time, sinner and saint, always repenting.” Sinner in our own eyes and daily experiences; saint in the eyes of God because of our radical faith in the Cross

1. Interpretation of the "I" in the Passage

One of the primary debates centers around the identity of the "I" that Paul is referring to. There are several interpretations:

Paul himself (as a believer or unbeliever):

Some argue that Paul is speaking autobiographically, either about his experience before his conversion (as an unregenerate person) how does a reference to unbelievers fit with Romans 7:23 (“For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being”)? Doesn’t such delight and longing for God’s law show that a believer is in view? Not necessarily. Many pious Jews loved God’s law and yet didn’t know God. Paul himself testifies that the Jews have a “zeal for God,” though they lacked knowledge (Rom. 10:2). There can be zeal and delight in the law (witness the Pharisees) when one isn’t truly saved.

-The Holy Spirit is never mentioned in Romans 7:7–25. But Paul refers to the Spirit 15 times in Romans 8:1–17, suggesting that the person described in Romans 7:7–25 is one who doesn’t have the Spirit in his life.

-The essence of what it means to be a Christian is to be indwelt with the Spirit (Rom. 8:9). We see in both Romans 7:14 and 7:18 that the one described is of the “flesh,” one who is still in the old Adam, one who is unregenerate.

or is this Pauls ongoing struggle with sin as a Christian.

-Some take the present tense quite literally and say this is the turmoil that believers experience even during their new life in Christ. Although the sin nature has been declared dead in God’s eyes, the reality of sin is still very much present in the life of the believer, so long as he or she is in this present life as a child of Adam.

James 3:2 “For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.”

-Yes, we still sin, but we aren’t slaves to it anymore. As Romans 8:2 declares, “The law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Such freedom from sin doesn’t accord with the person described in Romans 7:13–25, since that person is still enslaved to sin.

-As Christians we enjoy substantial, significant, and observable (though not perfect) victory over sin in this life. Though we fail every day, we are dramatically changed by the grace of God.

-Those who take this view cite verse 25 as Paul’s affirmation that by faith one is able to overcome this struggle and trust in God rather than self for righteousness. But, in their opinion, the struggle Paul describes here is the spiritual warfare of believers mentioned in other passages (e.g. Ephesians 6:12).

A hypothetical person or general human experience: Others believe Paul is using "I" rhetorically to describe a common human struggle with sin under the law, not necessarily his personal experience.

Representative of Israel under the law: Another perspective is that Paul is personifying Israel's experience under the law, highlighting the inability of the law to bring about righteousness.

2. The Nature of the Christian Struggle with Sin

This passage is also controversial because it touches on the ongoing struggle with sin that believers face.

-The danger here is we can use this passage to justify our sinful behavior…. I want to do what is right but i cant…. THE SPRIRT IS LIVING IN YOU!! THE OLD YOU IS DEAD LIVE LIKE IT!

3. Theological Implications for Sanctification

Romans 7:13-25 has significant implications for the doctrine of sanctification (the process of becoming holy). The passage raises questions about:

The role of the law in sanctification: Is the law still relevant for Christians in their sanctification, or is it completely superseded by the work of the Holy Spirit? WE MUST REMEMBER The law serves to reveal sin and make individuals aware of their moral shortcomings. It cannot, however, provide the power to overcome sin.

Human responsibility and divine sovereignty: How do human efforts to obey God’s law coexist with the belief in God’s sovereign work in sanctification? Sanctification is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. While the law shows what is right, it is grace and the Spirit that empower believers to live righteously.

5. Psychological and Existential Dimensions

Some modern interpretations focus on the psychological and existential aspects of Paul’s description:

Inner conflict and identity: The passage vividly portrays inner conflict and the human condition of wanting to do good but finding oneself doing the opposite, which resonates with many people's experiences.

Alienation and redemption: It highlights the sense of alienation and need for redemption, providing a powerful narrative of human weakness and divine intervention.

24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin.

Faith alone reconciles one to God, and God chooses to declare us what we are not—righteous. But, in the eyes of the world (and ourselves), we remain the same “struggler in the storm-tossed sea” that we were before salvation, with the one monumental difference that we dare to believe what does not seem to be so.

Thus Luther could summarize his view of salvation by declaring that we are “at the same time, sinner and saint, always repenting.” Sinner in our own eyes and daily experiences; saint in the eyes of God because of our radical faith in the Cross

-Pastor Manny said last week when powerfully preaching through Romans 6 that “many believers today live as though they haven’t been set free!” And how true this is! when we have this type of mindset we can easily read romans 7 as an excuse for us to continue to live as the old man that is supposed to be dead, not the new man in Christ jesus!

Share personal story about the old and new man….

Week 7 Questions;

1.How have you read and understood romans 7 in the past? What implications those your interpretation have for your life?

2.How do you assure the “old man” is dead? Are you living as a person set free in Christ?