This is an excerpt from the book [i]Justification and Regeneration[/i] by Charles Leiter. For more info, or to purchase the book, click [url=http://www.heartcrymissionary.com/content/view/133/178/]here[/url]. _______________________________________
[size=medium]ROMANS 7[/size]
To attempt to deal with the controversies surrounding Romans 7 would take an entire book. Only a few guidelines for its interpretation can be suggested here:
[b]1. Romans 7 flows directly from Romans 6, continuing and expanding upon the themes that are introduced here.[/b] According to Romans 6, Christians have died to sin(1) by virtue of their union with Christ and have therefore been freed(2) from it, so that sin no longer has dominion(3) over them. The result of this death to sin is service(4) to God that brings forth fruit(5) unto sanctification. Paul repeats this pattern of triumphs in Romans 7: Christians have died to the law(6) by virtue of their union with Christ and have therefore been freed(7) from it, so that law no longer has dominion(8) over them. The result of this death to law is service(9) to God that brings forth fruit(10) unto God. In short, Paul has been soaring in Romans 6, and he continues to soar in Romans 7! The real purpose of Romans 7 is to explain and expand upon Pauls statement in 6:14: For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. According to this verse, our deliverance from the dominion of sin is a direct result of the fact that we are no longer under the law. The first question to be answered is, How has it come to pass that Christians are no longer under the law? Paul answers this question in 7:1-4. Christians have passed out of the realm of the law, having died to it by virtue of their union with Christ. The second question to be answered is, Why is freedom from law necessary in order to secure our deliverance from their reign of sin? Or, conversely, Why is freedom from sins reign impossible for all who are still under the law? Paul answers this question in 7:5-25. All who are still under law are also still in the flesh. (v.5) But law actually stirs up and strengthens sins dominion over those who are in the flesh, leaving them in a state of bondage and death. (v.5, 7-25)
1.Rom.6:2,11 2.Rom.6:7, 18, 22 3.Rom.6:14(Gk. dominion, rule) 4.Rom.6:22 5.Rom.6:21-22(Gk. fruit) 6. Rom.7:4 7.Rom.7:6, 2-3 8.Rom.7:1(Gk. dominion, as in 6:14) 9.Rom.7:6 10.Rom.7:4
[b]2. It is absolutely vital to realize that Paul thinks in terms of two and only two groupsthose who are under law (in the flesh) and those who are under grace (in the Spirit). [/b] (pp.96-98) The characteristics of these two groups are summarized both before (7:5-6) and after (8:1-4) Pauls discussion in Romans 7:7-25. This means that in v.14-25, Paul is not describing a carnal Christian who has not yet passed into Romans 8, as the deeper life view of Romans 7 would tell us. All Christians are in Romans 8, just as all Christians are in Romans 6 and in Romans 7:6.
[b]3. Paul has already described in detail the state of every Christian in Romans 6 and in Romans 7:1-6. We cannot ignore this description when we come to the last half of Romans 7.[/b] According to Romans 6 and Romans 7:1-6, all Christians have been freed from sin and have become slaves of righteousness.(1) Sin shall not be master over Christians, for they are not under law, but under grace.(2) Christians have been joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that they might bear fruit for God.(3) They are alive from the dead.(4) They are no longer in the flesh.(5) They serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.(6) The view that Romans 7:14-25 is a description of the Christian at his best, even of Paul at the time of writing thus flies directly in the face of everything Paul has said up to this point. How can we read Romans 6 and 7:1-6 and still contend that all true Christians are actually of flesh, sold into bondage to sin!(7) It is highly significant that this view of Romans 7 has led to the wretched man concept of the Christian life, where wretchedness and spirituality are almost equated, and the more holy we become, the more wretched we are. In the words of one writer: This moan, O wretched man that I am, expresses the normal experience of the Christian, and any Christian who does not so moan is in an abnormal and unhealthy state spiritually. The man who does not utter this cry daily is either so out of communion with Christ, or so ignorant of the teaching of Scripture, or so deceived about his actual condition, that he knows not the corruptions of his own heart and the abject failure of his own life.(8)
1.Rom.6:18 2.Rom.6:14 3.Rom.7:4 4.Rom.6:13 5.Rom.7:5 6.Rom.7:6 7.Rom.7:14 8.A.W. Pink, The Christian in Romans 7
The one who is truly in communion with Christ, will
emit this groan
daily and hourly.(1) It is true that in this day of glib easy-believism and shallow repentance multitudes of professing Christians desperately need a revelation of their own inner depravity and corruption. In the case of many, this would lead to bitter weeping(2) and genuine conversion. But any true Child of God who has traveled very far on the pilgrim pathway already knows quite a bit about his own wretchedness and vileness apart from the transforming power of Christ. Instead of praying that God would give us such a view of [our] own depravity and unworthiness that [we] may indeed grovel in the dust before Him,(3) would it not be more Scriptural to ask God for such a view of Christs resurrection life in us(4) and our new nature in Him(5) that we might soar in the heavenlies and joyfully serve Him in newness of life? Some theologians have tried to escape this wretched Christian view of Romans 7 by saying that even though Paul is speaking here of his own present experience as a believer, he is merely describing the fact that no Christian is as holy as he wants to be. Romans 7, according to this view, teaches only that the Christians reach always exceeds his grasp and that during his lifetime the Christian cannot arrive at perfection. All these statements are undoubtedly true, but they do not do justice to the degree of failure and misery evident in this passage. Paul is clearly describing here (to use his own words) a state of wretchedness,(6) a state of bondage(7), and a state of inability(8) to do good. In other words, the man of Romans 7 is not just battling with sin but utterly defeated by it, in stark contrast with Pauls description of all true Christians in Romans 6 and Romans 7:1-6.
1.Pink 2.Zech.12:10 3.Pink 4.Eph.1:18-23;Eph.3:14-21 5.Col.3:9-13 6.Rom.7:24 7.Rom.7:14,23-24 8.Rom.7:18-19
[b]4. Romans 6&7 are structured around four questions and their corresponding answers.[/b] At the end of Romans 5, Paul makes two shocking statements that require defense and clarification. The first is that Law came in that the transgression might increase, and the second is that where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.(v.20) Paul expects these statements to be misunderstood and distorted by others, so he sets out to clarify and defend them in chapters six and seven. He does this in terms of four questions and their corresponding answers. (6:1; 6:15; 7:7; 7:13) Each of these question-answer sections follows a very specific pattern. First, Paul poses the anticipated misunderstanding or distortion of his position. He then follows with a very strong denial (May it never be!) and a brief summary answer to the misunderstanding. This brief answer is then clarified and expounded in the verses that follow. This pattern is invariable throughout Romans 6-7. Romans 6:1Question: What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? Strong denial: May it never be! Brief answer: How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Fuller explanation of brief answer: v.3-14. Romans 6:15Question: What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Strong denial: May it never be! Brief answer: Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey
? Fuller explanation of brief answer: v.17-23. Romans 7:7Question: What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Strong denial: May it never be! Brief answer: On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, You shall not covet. Fuller explanation of brief answer: v.8-12. Romans 7:13Question: Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? Strong denial: May it never be! Brief answer: Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, that through the commandments sin might become utterly sinful. Fuller explanation of brief answer: v.14-25. This is the setting of v.14-25! Verse 14 does not begin a new and entirely unrelated theme, as some have supposed. The subject being dealt with in this section is not the immature Christians failure to walk in the Spirit or the mature Christians continuing struggle with remaining sin. Rather, the subject here is the goodness of the law, in spite its effects upon those who are in the flesh. In this connection, it is very significant that v.14 begins with the word for and is immediately followed (twice!) by the word for in v.15.
[b]5. Romans 7:14-25 flows from and is a continuation of Pauls discussion in v.7-13 of the man to whom the commandment has come.[/b] In v.5 Paul describes the condition of those who are in the flesh and under law: For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. The key words here are Law, sin, and flesh. These three words from v.5 will form the heart of Pauls discussion throughout the rest of the chapter. In v.7-12 Paul begins to explain his statement in v.5 by reference to his own experience prior to conversion. There was a time when Paul lived in a state of complacent self-satisfaction: I was once alive. (v.9) He thought he was doing fine in keeping the Law: As to the righteousness which is in the Law
found blameless.(1) But then a major turning point came in Pauls life. By the working of Gods Spirit, the commandments came to him. He began to realize how deep and exacting the Laws requirements really are and how impossible it was for him to fulfill those requirements. Sin became alive, and Paul died under the terrible conviction of his sinfulness. (How long this went on, we do not know, but we do know that before he ever met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, it was already hard for Paul to kick against the goads.(2)) The Law, which promised life thus resulted in death for Paul, not through any fault of his own, but because of the utter sinfulness of sin. Up to this point in his discussion (v.13), Paul has described only the relationship between Law and sin, showing how the Law actually stirs up sin and leads to death. But he has not yet explained why Law should produce such effects. This he can do only by a discussion of the flesh! This is the setting of Romans 7:14-25! Verse 14 begins with the word for and continues and advances Pauls discussion of Law, sin, and flesh by dramatically describing in the present tense the place of sins reignthe flesh: For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. (Notice that the transition to the present tense takes place quite naturally since Paul could hardly say, We know that the Law was spiritual.) Paul then continues in the present tense until the end of the chapter, giving a firsthand account of the bondage to sin experienced by those who are in the flesh. He does this from the vantage point of one who has now become a Christian and can see clearly the nature of the conflict that was formerly taking place in his life. For this reason the terminology that Paul uses in these verses shows much Christian influence, though it is descriptive of his pre-Christian state. 1. Phil.3:6 2. Acts 26:14
Remember again Pauls controlling statement: For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. Flesh is controlled by sin, and in the presence of Law the sinful passions of the flesh will always culminate in death. The fact that flesh is Pauls emphasis throughout this section is clear from the terminology that he uses: of flesh, sold into bondage to sin,(1) a law in the members of my body,(2) and the law of sin which is in my members.(3) This bondage to sin in the members leads to the desperate cry, Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death (margin: this body of death)?(4) Pauls answer to this cry is given in v.25, Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! and more fully in 8:1-4, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did
in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Notice Pauls summary here of what he has just said at length in 7:14-25:
what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh
! And notice again his description of those who are Christians: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death
that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit! The man of Romans 7 cries, Who will set me free? The Christian replies, The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free.
1.Rom7:14 2.Rom.7:23 3.Rom.7:23 4.Rom7:24
Isaac Watts sums up Pauls teaching in Romans 7 in a hymn entitled Conviction of Sin by the LawRomans 7:8,9,14-24:
Lord, how secure my conscience was, And felt no inward dread! I was alive without the law, And thought my sins were dead.
My hopes of heav'n were firm and bright, But since the precept came With a convincing powr and light, I find how vile I am.
My guilt appeard but small before, Till terribly I saw How perfect, holy, just, and pure, Was thine eternal law.
Then felt my soul the heavy load, My sins revivd again I had provokd a dreadful God, And all my hopes were slain.
I'm like a helpless captive, sold Under the powr of sin I cannot do the good I would, Nor keep my conscience clean.
My God! I cry with every breath For some kind powr to save, To break the yoke of sin and death, And thus redeem the slave.
THREE FINAL OBSERVATIONS In closing, three things should be noted: [b]1. In spite of superficial resemblances, Galatians 5:16-25 is not parallel with Romans 7.[/b] Romans 7:14-25 describes the struggle and defeat of a man who is still in the flesh and under the Law. The Holy Spirit is notably absent from the language and thought of this man. In fact, the Holy Spirit is not mentioned anywhere in the entire passage. Galatians 5:16-25, on the other hand, describes the inevitable conflict that the Holy Spirit has with the flesh in the life of a true believer. A note of victory is sounded throughout this passage: The Christian is not under the Law.(1) He has already definitively crucified the flesh with its passions and desires through repentance and faith in Christ.(2) The power of the Spirit in his life effectually prevents him from following the natural inclinations of his fleshhe cannot do as he pleases.(3) Since he lives in the Spirit, he is able now to walk in the Spirit.(4) And as he walks in the Spirit, he is assured that he will not carry out the desire of the flesh.(5) These verses are not a statement of wretchedness, but an assurance of victory! The real parallel to Galatians 5:16-25 is Romans 8:12-14, where flesh and Spirit are similarly contrasted: So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the fleshfor if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. According to these verses, the Christian is under no obligation to live according to the flesh. He is able, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to put to death the deeds of the body. In fact, being thus led by the Spirit is one of the distinguishing characteristics of all who are truly sons of God! Notice the parallel here between being led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14) and walking in the Spirit (Romans 8:4, Galatians 5:16).
[b]2. The man described in Romans 7;7-25 is not the typical lost man on the street, who knows nothing of the spirituality or real desirability of the law.[/b] The man in Romans 7:7-25 is the man to whom the commandment has come. He makes statements that the typical unbeliever would never make. The state of misery that he is experiencing eventuates in his coming to Christ: Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!(6) From this it is evident that this man is being taught by God and is hearing and learning from the Father.(7) Everyone who has thus heard and learned from the Father comes to Christ.(8)
[b]3. There is no doubt that every true Christian has felt at times as if he were in the middle of Romans 7.[/b] Even the truly righteous man falls seven times!(9)
1.Gal.5:18 2.Gal.5:24 3.Gal.5:17 4.Gal.5:25 5.Gal.5:16 6.Rom.7:25 7.John 6:45 8.John 6:45 9.Pro.24:16
Christian experience always involves experiencing defeat as part of the process of learning to walk in the Spirit. Like Peter, we often have to learn by bitter failure the insufficiency of our own resolve.(1) The question before us, however, is not, What do Christians often experience? but, What is Paul teaching in Romans 7?
(Those interested in reading further on this subject are referred to: Robert L. Reymond, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, Appendix F, 1127-32; Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Law: Its Functions and Limits; and Herman Ridderbos, Paul: An Outline of His Theology, 126-30.)
1.Luke 22:31-34
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