The Law & A Wretched Man

Introduction

Yesterday we learned that salvation is more than just forgiveness or being declared just and righteous. It is a radical transformation of our heart. We died with Christ and rose with Him to walk in newness of life.

This is as Paul declares appropriated by faith.

I talked yesterday about how the message you will hear on the radio and many churches is one in which you will sin in word and deed and thought every day

Paul says, Rom 6:7 “For he that is dead is freed from sin.”

In Romans 7:1-6, Paul is reminding us that the Believer’s relationship to sin and the Law has changed.

Sanctification: The Hindrance of the Sin Principle (Romans 7)

Illustration of the Law (Rom. 7:1-6)

An Analogy (Rom 7:1-3).

Paul through the illustration of wife and husband shows the relationship of man and sin.

The Greek word play here is about a woman being under a man in the law. He is talking to those who know the law {Rom 7:1 “1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) }

The wife is the believer 2. The husband who dies is the sinful self 3. The second husband is Christ

The principle from this section is that “The Law had dominion over a man as long as he lives.”

An Application (Rom. 7:4-6)

Paul’s metaphor of marriage is taken farther but switched around a little we have died to the law “by the body of Christ Rom. 7:4)

Since that death we should be, or might be, or can be, married to another

That one we can be married to is “Him who is raised from the dead.” Referring of course to Jesus.

We see in this passage a twofold purpose of the believer's marriage to Christ? (7:4-6) 

To be delivered from the condemnation of the Law

and to bring forth fruit.

The previous marriage according to Rom. 7:5 brought about some bad things

Before we go any further I want to address another issue. A dangerous teaching among us today is the one that says the Old Testament isn't important anymore.

Jesus didn't do away with the law and the prophets he fulfilled them. Everything God ever said is still important and valid

We are now married to Christ. Our former condition of being a sinner, and under the condemnation of the Law, is changed.

We have died with Christ and since He died for our sins, the penalty is paid and the Law has no more claim on us.

Note: we are not longer under the condemnation of the Law. According to Romans 3:31 “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

and Romans 8:4 which teaches that the righteous requirements of the Law are fulfilled in us, the Law continues to serve as a guide and expression of God’s holy will. As such, it is still in effect.

2 Tim 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

Revelation of the function of the law (Rom. 7:7-13)

Law exposes hiddenness of sin (Rom 7:7-8)

Revealed sin (Rom. 7:7)

Revived sin (Rom. 7:8)

Law exposes hideousness of sin (Rom 7:9-13)

Seriousness of sin (Rom 7:9-11)

Sinfulness of sin (Rom. 7:12-13)

Competition of Sin and Law (Rom. 7:14-25)

Actions without consent of will due to presence & power of sin (Rom. 7:14-17)

Actions without control of will due to presence & power of sin (Rom. 7:18-20)

Rom 7:18 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

That word flesh has caused much controversy here is my take on it for what it's worth.

Word Study: Flesh

Sarx the Greek word appears 150 times in the New Testament. It is translated as flesh except for "carnal" in Rom. 8:6, 7; Heb. 9:0. It would be more consistent to translate "sarx" as "flesh" in the first two references from Romans. While you could render sarx as "flesh" in all 150 places, we are still faced with the issue of proper context. Paul uses the term "sarx" in two very distinct ways. First, the physical sense.In the classical Greek sarx only occurs in the physical sense. Second, the spiritual sense and can be used interchangeably with the theological concept of "the old man". Out of the 150 usages of sarx it would seem that 27 of them arereferring to the carnal nature, most of these being found in Paul's epistles. Sarx is found in the spiritual sense eight times in Romans 8 alone

Conclusion of “A Wretched Man” (Rom. 7:21-25)

I had to write a doctrinal synthesis paper on who this wretched man is sometime ago and it is fascinating and disturbing the various and dangerous conclusions people come to.

Jacob Arminius wrote over 600 pages on this chapter and many others have written on it as well.

The debate has spanned centuries most people accept this as an autobiographical statement. Paul is writing about himself but when.

One extremely popular preacher, expositor, and commentary author goes so far as to equat this wretched “I” to a mature Chrisitan. “It seems...Paul is here describing the most spiritual and mature of Christians...The closer we get to God, the more we see our own sin…” (MacArthur p379)

As Paul openly declares...

Defeat is inevitable due to sin (Rom. 7:21-23)

I would argue with those who make the assertions that this is normative Christian testimony

phrases like "sold under sin" and "O wretched man that I am" are not in harmony with the teaching of Romans 6 or Romans 8.

According to Romans 6, the believer is dead to sin, freed from sin, and is to appropriate by faith and a full surrender to God the freedom available in Christ for victory over sin.

A person cannot serve two masters. The reality of v. 25 is that Paul is serving sin, despite his mental desire to serve God.

According to Romans 8, the person who is walking in the flesh cannot please God, and does not have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in him.

For sure, Romans 7:14-25 depicts a person who is under the control of the flesh.

Also please do not do not use this passage to teach this is a saved man needing to be entirely sanctified. This man is “sold under sin” (7:14 pepra,menoj perfect), and therefore still being owned by sin. An owner is a master and thus Paul depicts himself as a slave of sin. Further, the law of sin in Paul’s members produces the following results:

· He does what he hates (15)

· He does what he doesn’t want to do (16)

· There is a desire to do right, but no power to do right (18)

· The law of sin is resisting the law of his mind (23)

· He is a captive of the law of sin (23)

· He is a divided person: His mind serves God, but his flesh serves the law of sin. (25)

A person cannot serve two masters. The reality of v. 25 is that Paul is serving sin, despite his mental desire to serve God.

Paul is using the historic present for vividness of presentation. He is speaking of himself as an awakened sinner still under the law, and not as a born again believer. Romans 6 describes the reality of the born again believer (“dead to sin;” “freed from sin”).

Deliverance is available thru Christ (Rom. 7:24-25)

Here is how I see what is going on and what is going to happen.

“Thanks be to God” (Rom 7:25a) Who will free me? (Rom 7:24) “Thanks be to God” for freedom from sin/death (Rom 6:17; 1 Cor 15:57) Through Jesus Christ (Rom 7:25a) Recounts victory (Rom 8:1-17) But first summarizes (Rom 7:25b) Mind wants to do right (Rom 7:16, 22-23) but is still subject to the flesh (Rom 8:5-7)

Is such a victory possible?

I praise God it is

Dr. Yocum tells a story in his book about an incident that happened many years ago when the steam engine was just being introduced.

A group of experts engineers and other brilliant thinkers had gathered on the shore and the consensus was after all the facts, equations, engineering hypothesis and conclusions it was impossible for a steam engine to make a ship cross the ocean. Just as the speech was concluding a strange noise was heard and a large boat powered by a steam engine appeared on the horizon

People declare all over that it is impossible to be made free from sin

But the same one who cried out oh wretched man that I am

Declares loudly

In fact I picture him shouting it out

Rom 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Do we understand it no but I know it works

Praise the Lord

The word "sanctification" refers to God's work in us, through His Holy Spirit, whereby He delivers the believer from the pollution and power of sin, and brings his whole nature into conformity to Christ and empowers you to be His witness.

Since the word "sanctification" includes so much, it is frequently broken down into smaller units such as "initial" sanctification (beginning with regeneration), "progressive" sanctification, "entire" sanctification, and "final" sanctification (glorification).

Why is meant by the word "sanctification" is determined by the Scriptural context. Sanctification begins at the moment of justification, and continues throughout one's entire life. Entire sanctification, a second definite work of grace, whereby the heart is cleansed from inbred sin and filled with the Holy Spirit (1 Thes. 5:23), enables the believer to continue progressing in sanctification as he should. The word "entire" does not mean "incapable of further growth." The focus is on purity, not spiritual maturity. In entire sanctification the believer's heart is made completely pure, not completely mature. There is infinite progress and growth in the grace of sanctification possible for even the "entirely" sanctified person. The ultimate goal is Christ-likeness in every area of life (Eph. 4:13; Rom. 8:29).

In Romans 6:1-10 we are told about Jesus' provisions for our personal sanctification. When we were born again, we were placed into Christ. All that He died and rose again to accomplish becomes ours in Him. This means that in Christ we have the resources for total victory over sin.

God desires that we fully understand our privileges in Christ. There is a strong foundation of factual information upon which we are to build our faith.

In 6:11-23, Paul exhorts us to personally appropriate by faith all of our privileges in Christ. We must translate facts into acts of obedience. Learning is to issue forth into victorious Christian living.

In Romans 7:1-6, Paul concludes his exhortation to personally appropriate by faith all our privileges, by reminding us that the Believer’s relationship to sin and the Law has changed. We are now married to Christ. Our former condition of being a sinner, and under the condemnation of the Law, is changed. We have died with Christ and since He died for our sins, the penalty is paid and the Law has no more claim on us. Note: we are not longer under the condemnation of the Law. According to Romans 3:31, “Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law” (NAS), and Romans 8:4 which teaches that the righteous requirements of the Law are fulfilled in us, the Law continues to serve as a guide and expression of God’s holy will. As such, it is still in effect.

An ILLUSTRATION OF A HUSBAND & WIFE 7:1-6

A. ANALOGY 7:1-3

1. The wife is the believer

2. The husband who dies is the sinful self

3. The second husband is Christ

B. APPLICATION 7:4-6

1. We Died to the Law (7:4)

2. We are Delivered from the Law (in its condemnation) (5-6)

There are several things to note: First, this passage is not designed to answer the “divorce and remarriage” questions. The general rule, “one man, one woman, until death to us part,” is simply that: a general rule. The exceptions to this rule mentioned elsewhere in Scripture are not in view nor are being denied by Paul. Paul is well aware of Jesus’ teaching on the subject and is not contradicting Him!

The main point of Paul’s illustration of marriage is that death effects the relationship. Death brings a change. We died to our old life when we were united with Christ. The Law is not nullified or abolished. However, the claims of the Law on us as a “law-breaker” are now paid in full by Jesus’ substitutionary atonement. We are now “married” to Christ. This does not make us lawless. We do not have the right to be a law breaker now that we are Christians. Instead, we are empowered, through the Holy Spirit, to live in the spirit of the Law.

II. THE REVELATION OF INHERITED DEPRAVITY 7:7-13

A. The Law exposes the Hidden Nature of Sin (7-8)

1. It Revealedhis sinful nature (7)

2. It Revivedhis sinful nature (8)

B. The Law exposes the Hideous Nature of Sin (9-13)

1. It showed the Seriousness of sin (9-11)

2. It showed the Sinfulness of sin (12-13)

II. THE REIGN OF INHERITED DEPRAVITY 7:14-25

A. He does things without the Consent of his will (14-17)

1. Due to the Presence of sin in the flesh (14)

2. Due to the Power of sin in the flesh (15-17)

B. He does things without Control over his will (18-20)

1. Due to the Presence of sin in the flesh (18a)

2. Due to the Power of sin in the flesh (18b-20)

C. His Conclusionsconcerning himself (21-25)

1. Defeatis experienced because of sin's presence (21-23)

2. Deliverance from the presence and power of sin is available through Jesus Christ (24-25).

In this passage Paul speaks of the power of inherited depravity in the life of the unsaved individual. Paul, an awakened sinner, has conflict within himself. Interpretations of Romans 7:14-25 vary.

View 1: Commentators from Augustine to Nygren, including the Latin Fathers, Martin Luther, John Calvin, (including Calvinistic theology) hold that Paul is describing the NORMAL CHRISTIAN LIFE. They bid us note that the tenses are present, not past; and they insist that in Paul's view, the Christian life is not devoid of tensions.

View 2: An even longer line of scholars including Origin, most of the Greek Fathers, John Wesley, A. Deissman, H. St. John Thackeray, A.S. Peake, J. S. Stewart, Daniel Steele, Denney and C.H. Dodd, hold that Paul is describing a man's condition before his conversion, especially a man under the law. They argue that the phrases like "sold under sin" and "O wretched man that I am" are not in harmony with the teaching of Romans 6 or Romans 8. According to Romans 6, the believer is dead to sin, freed from sin, and is to appropriate by faith and a full surrender to God the freedom available in Christ for victory over sin. According to Romans 8, the person who is walking in the flesh cannot please God, and does not have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in him. For sure, Romans 7:14-25 depicts a person who is under the control of the flesh.

CONCLUSION. The second view, in my opinion, is the correct view. (Notes from Dr. Allan Brown Study of Romans & Galatians)

From Craig Keener Youtube Series on Romans (May be in commentary as well)

“Thanks be to God” (Rom 7:25a)

Who will free me? (Rom 7:24)

“Thanks be to God” for freedom from sin/death (Rom 6:17; 1 Cor 15:57)

Through Jesus Christ (Rom 7:25a)

Recounts victory (Rom 8:1-17)

But first summarizes (Rom 7:25b)

Mind wants to do right (Rom 7:16, 22-23)

but is still subject to the flesh (Rom 8:5-7)

A brief outline that I will be following for this study will be:

Doctrine (Rom 1-8) - Faith and Theology

The Power of the Gospel (Rom 1:1-17)

The Gospel is God’s answer to the problem of sin

The Doctrine of sin (Rom 1:18-3:20)

Gentiles Need of Righteousness (Romans 1:19-32)

Jews Need of Righteousness (Romans 2)

All Men Are Guilty And Sinful (Romans 3:1-20)

The Doctrine of Justification (Rom 3:21-4:25)

Justification by Faith Explained (Romans 3:21-)

Justification by Faith Illustrated by Abraham and David (Romans 4)

The Doctrine of Sanctification (Rom 5:1-8:39)

Results of Justification by Faith (Romans 5)

Sanctification: The Believer & Victory Over Sin (Romans 6)

Sanctification: The Hindrance of the Sin Principle (Romans 7)

Sanctification: Life in the Spirit (Romans 8)

Prophecy (Rom 9-11) - The Nation of Israel (hope)

Past Election (Rom 9)

Present Rejection (Rom 10)

Future Restoration (Rom 11)

Love (Rom. 12-15) - Practical Application of Holiness and Ethical behavior

Romans 7:14-25 - do not use this passage to teach this is a saved man needing to be entirely sanctified. This man is “sold under sin” (7:14 pepra,menoj perfect), and therefore still being owned by sin. An owner is a master and thus Paul depicts himself as a slave of sin. Further, the law of sin in Paul’s members produces the following results:

· He does what he hates (15)

· He does what he doesn’t want to do (16)

· There is a desire to do right, but no power to do right (18)

· The law of sin is resisting the law of his mind (23)

· He is a captive of the law of sin (23)

· He is a divided person: His mind serves God, but his flesh serves the law of sin. (25)

A person cannot serve two masters. The reality of v. 25 is that Paul is serving sin, despite his mental desire to serve God. What about Paul’s use of the present tense, the “I am” statements? Answer: Paul is using the historic present for vividness of presentation. He is speaking of himself as an awakened sinner still under the law, and not as a born again believer. Romans 6 describes the reality of the born again believer (“dead to sin;” “freed from sin”). Although the historic present tense normally occurs in narrative genre, observations can only be descriptive, not prescriptive. That the historic present normally occurs in narrative literature does not preclude its use in an epistle.

What about Paul’s statements that he delighted in the law of God after the inward man? Answer: any Pharisee would have said that he delighted in the law of God in his heart. But as an awakened sinner, Paul still found that he did wrong despite his desire to do right. What about the parallel between this passage and the struggle many Christians find in their life? Answer: There is no dispute as to whether believers struggle with indwelling sin. The point is: Is this passage Paul’s personal testimony as a believer – that sin leads him captive and his practice is characterized by slavery to sin? My exegetical conclusion is no.

(A Brown 13 Key Passages