Romans 7:14-25

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

February 10, 1999

Introduction

We have seen Paul present the case that man is not made right before God through his own deeds or the keeping of the law, but simply through faith. Our salvation is not a matter of something we’ve earned by keeping the Law, it is a "grace", a free, undeserved, gift from God. All we do is trust Him to receive it.

We’ve been looking at the subject of our sin nature and how we are to learn to "reckon" ourselves to be dead to sin and alive to God. We "reckon" ourselves dead to sin because we have "died" with Christ.

We saw last week how the Law is good. Sin takes advantage of the Law, but the Law itself is good and holy.

:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

spiritual – pneumatikos – relating to spirit; spirit-caused; spirit given; like the Holy Spirit.

We saw last week how the Law was good. There’s nothing wrong with the Law. The problem is in us, not the Law.

carnal – sarkikos – fleshly, carnal; having the nature of flesh, i.e. under the control of the animal appetites

It’s funny that Paul is calling himself carnal. This was his rebuke of the Corinthian church:

(1 Cor 3:1-7 KJV) And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. {2} I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. {3} For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? {4} For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? {5} Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? {6} I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. {7} So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

We all have a sin nature.

sold under – piprasko – to sell; metaph., sold under sin, entirely under the control of the love of sinning. Perfect tense. "Sin has closed the mortgage and owns its slave" – Robertson.

There are some who view this next section as Paul’s description of life as a non-Christian. They say this based on the phrase "sold under sin". They think that this can’t be applicable to a born-again believer. Yet I believe that this is a kind of deception itself. There’s a sense in which my physical body is going to be still under slavery to sin, even after being born again. My sin nature is still attached. It isn’t going away until my physical death. The person who has a hard time with this being a description of a believer is a person who has a hard time with seeing the truth in their own life.

On the other hand, Charles Finney writes,

You see the state of those who are encouraged by the seventh chapter of Romans, supposing that to be a Christian's experience. If they have gone no further than that, they are still under the law. I have been amazed how pertinaciously professors of religion will cling to a legal experience, and justify themselves in it by a reference to this chapter.

I am fully convinced that interpreting [verses 14 to 24] as a Christian experience, has done incalculable evil and has led thousands of souls there to rest and go no further, imagining that they are already as deeply versed in Christian experience as Paul was when he wrote that epistle. And there they have stayed, and hugged their delusion till they have found themselves in the depths of hell.

Where’s the balance?

I believe this is very much the experience of Christians, but it’s not where we are to stay. We shouldn’t be satisfied because we feel this way, we should allow God to move us on to experience the freedom and victory He has for us in Jesus.

:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

I do (1st) – katergazomai – to perform, accomplish, achieve; to work out i.e. to do that from which something results

I allow not – ginosko – to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, recognize.

what I would – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to desire, to wish; to take delight in, have pleasure

do (2nd) I not – prasso – to exercise, practice, to be busy with, carry on

what I hate – miseo – to hate, pursue with hatred, detest

do I (3rd) – poieo – to make; to do

"For that which I am working out I don’t recognize, for what I desire, that I don’t practice, but what I hate is the thing I do."

:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

I would not – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to desire, to wish; to take delight in, have pleasure

I do – poieo – to make; to do

I consent – sumphemi – to consent, confess

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

When I realize that I’m doing something I don’t wish to do, then I only prove by my wishing that God’s Law is right.

:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

I that do it – katergazomai – to perform, accomplish, achieve; to work out i.e. to do that from which something results

dwelleth in – oikeo – to dwell in

Lesson

I have two natures.

Robertson - Not my true self, my higher personality, but my lower self due to my slavery to indwelling sin. Paul does not mean to say that his whole self has no moral responsibility by using this paradox.

Paul’s not talking about not taking responsibility for his actions. His focus is on the fact that a part of him wants to do what’s right but is unable to.

(Gal 5:17 KJV) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

I have two dueling natures inside of me, both trying to come out on top. I will never be rid of my sin nature until my physical body dies.

:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:

I know – eido – to see; to know; to know, i.e. get knowledge of, understand, perceive

flesh – sarx – flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts; the body, the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin

dwelleth no – oikeo – to dwell in; in the Greek, it’s not the idea that a "no-good thing" is dwelling in me", but it’s the idea that "there is not dwelling in me a good thing".

good – agathos – of good constitution or nature; useful; excellent, distinguished; upright, honourable

Lesson

Don’t live in the flesh.

It isn’t going to accomplish any single thing that is good and right.

Yet somehow, there’s a part of us (the fleshly part) that thinks that it doesn’t hurt to spoil the flesh every once in a while. We get the idea that it’s not all that important that we feed the Spirit and nurture it. And so we get up in the morning and immediately get sidetracked by everything that does not feed the Spirit or yield to it. That’s truly getting up on the wrong side of the bed.

And somehow I just keep on living my day in the flesh, thinking somehow that I’ll be able to get all the things done that I need to do.

Illustration

I have found if I don't have my quiet time each morning, I tend to lose my temper over insignificant things. Recently, my son, Andrew, reminded me of the need for daily prayer. He had accidentally spilled his drink and I went into a tirade. Andrew ended my harsh words when he quietly asked, "Mom, did you forget to ask Jesus to help you be nice today?"

-- Cathy Fussell, Apopka, FL, Today's Christian Woman, "Heart to Heart."

Sometimes we get to thinking that we’ve reformed our flesh enough. We get to thinking that we’re no longer going to stumble in a particular area. And what we’re doing is putting confidence in the flesh. We think that perhaps now we’ve got the flesh under control. Never trust the flesh.

The only remedy for the flesh is death. It doesn’t work to try and reform the flesh or pamper it. It must die.

:18 for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

to will – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to desire, to wish; to take delight in, have pleasure

is present – parakeimai – to lie beside, to be near; to be present, at hand

to perform – katergazomai – to perform, accomplish, achieve; to work out i.e. to do that from which something results. Same word used in vs.15 & 17.

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

The same word used in verse 16 for the law.

I find – heurisko – to come upon, hit upon, to meet with; to find by enquiry; to find out for one's self, to acquire, get, obtain, procure

How often do we have great ideas of how we’re going to live? When we go on a retreat, we get away from some of the world’s influences, we surround ourselves with Christians, we immerse ourselves in the Word, and we get some great ideas. But when we get back from the retreat, we find it very difficult to do those things we want to do.

(Mat 26:40-41 KJV) And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? {41} Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

good – agathos – of good constitution or nature; useful; excellent, distinguished; upright, honourable

I would … would not – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to desire, to wish; to take delight in, have pleasure

I do not – poieo – to make; to do

evil – kakos – of a bad nature; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful

that I do – prasso – to exercise, practice, to be busy with, carry on

:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

if I do – poieo – to make; to do

I would not – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to desire, to wish; to take delight in, have pleasure

I that do it – katergazomai – to perform, accomplish, achieve; to work out i.e. to do that from which something results. Same word used in vs.15 & 17, 18.

that dwelleth – oikeo – to dwell in

:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

I find – heurisko – to come upon, hit upon, to meet with; to find by enquiry; to find out for one's self, to acquire, get, obtain, procure

I would – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to desire, to wish; to take delight in, have pleasure

do – poieo – to make; to do

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

evil – kakos – of a bad nature; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful

is present – parakeimai – to lie beside, to be near; to be present, at hand

:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

I delight – sunedomai – to rejoice together with (another or others); in the NT once to rejoice or delight with one's self or inwardly. It comes from the word hedone – pleasure; desires for pleasure

inner – eso – to within, into; the internal inner man

There’s a part of me that absolutely thrills to do what God wants.

:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

members – melos – a member, limb: a member of the human body

warring against – antistrateuomai – to make a military expedition, or take the field, against anyone; to oppose, war against

bringing me into captivity – aichmalotizo – to lead away captive; metaph. to capture ones mind, captivate

Isn’t it funny how we always have such opposition when we want to be doing the right thing?

"Blessed are you, if the struggle grows fierce against you at the time of prayer."

-- Evagrius of Pontus (d. 399)

:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

wretched – talaiporos – enduring toils and troubles; afflicted, wretched

shall deliver – rhoumai – to draw to one's self, to rescue, to deliver

the body – soma – the body both of men or animals

It was the custom of ancient conquerors to prevent the escape of their prisoners by tying a dead body to their backs. With such gruesome burdens, these poor wretches could not run away. Paul may have had this in mind; so some think Romans 7:24 should read: "Oh, wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this dead body?"

Lesson

Victory comes from defeat.

It’s not until we get the truth about our sin that we start the breakthrough.

Illustration

Lucy says to Charlie Brown:

"Sometimes I feel we are not communicating:

You, Charlie Brown, are a foul ball in the line drive of life.

You're often in the shadow of your own goal post.

You're a miscue.

You're 3 putts on the 18th green.

You are a 7-10 split in the 10th frame.

You have dropped a rod and reel in the lake of life.

You're a missed free throw.

You're a shanked 9-iron, a called 3rd strike,

a bug on the windshield of life!

Do you understand? Have I made myself clear?"

If you don’t have the anguish, you lack the drive to stop sinning. The anguish is actually a good thing.

Illustration

Many years ago a woman, with her little baby, was riding in a stage-coach in western Montana. The weather was bitter cold, and in spite of all the driver could do to protect her, he saw that the mother was becoming unconscious from the cold. He stopped the coach, took the baby, and wrapping it warmly, put it under the seat, then seized the mother by the arm, and dragging her out upon the ground, drove away, leaving her in the road. As she saw him drive away, she ran after him, crying piteously for her baby. When he felt sure that she was warm, he allowed her to overtake the coach and resume her place by her baby.

I know for some it’s when they finally got to the point where they stopped trusting themselves and started trusting in Jesus that they found deliverance. I know for me I have to admit that it wasn’t quite that easy. I think there were many times that I started out trusting Jesus, but somewhere along the line I fouled up. I found that I had to be at this place many times before it began to finally sink in. I think that over each sin that we get caught in, we need to come to this point.

I remember at times feeling physically sick over my sin. But it was at those times that I took my greater steps away from it.

:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

One of the important steps to victory over sin is when I realize that I can’t do it by myself. I need Jesus.

Illustration

The surgeon of a regiment in India relates the following incident: "A soldier rushed into the tent to inform me that one of his comrades was drowning in a pond, and nobody could save him because of the dense woods which covered the surface. We found the poor fellow manfully attempting to extricate himself from the meshes of rope-like grass that encircled his body. But the more he labored to escape, the more firmly they became coiled around his limbs. At last the floating plants closed in and left no trace of the disaster. After some delay, a raft was made and we put off to the spot. A native dived, holding on by a stake, and brought the body to the surface. I shall never forget the expression on the dead man's face--the clenched teeth and fearful distortion of the countenance, while coils of long trailing weeds clung to his body and limbs, the muscles of which stood out stiff and rigid, while his hands grasped thick masses, showing how bravely he had struggled for life."

This heart-rending picture is a terribly accurate representation of a man with a conscience alarmed by remorse, struggling with sinful habits but finding them too strong for him. Divine grace can save the wretch from his unhappy condition, but if he be destitute of that, his remorseful agonies will only make him more hopelessly the slave of his passions.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

:25 So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

serve – douleuo – to be a slave, serve, do service; metaph. to obey, submit to

flesh – sarx – flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts; the body, the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin

Paul is not saying here that we are going to live some kind of split personality. He’s not describing the person who is shooting drugs and saying to themselves, "Well I may be sinning with my flesh, but right now my mind is serving God". This isn’t some kind of perverted excuse to sin.

He’s again bringing out the dual nature that we struggle with as Christians. We have a part of us that is now able to serve God because of what Jesus has done for us. But even then, there is still going to be a part of me, my flesh, that is going to want to sin. I never get away from that. Even the most "righteous" Christian has a "sin nature".