Did Paul sin regularly?

In Romans 7:13-25, Paul seems to admit that he struggles with uncontrollable, willful, sinning.

In order to give Paul some grace, let me preface this: Peter, in 2 Peter 3:16, said of Paul that he writes things that can be hard to understand. Paul in 1 Cor. 9:22 said he becomes what he needs to become to all people in order to more effectively preach the gospel to them in relatable ways.

Now the scripture I want to bring to the front and center of attention is Romans 7:13-25. Paul says that he sins willingly. Now consider these possibilities:

1. If Paul is just trying to relate to his audience by building a straw man of himself then he isn’t speaking truthfully which would mean he’s lying.

2. If this is one of those situations where Paul is difficult to understand, we must seek an alternative interpretation than the very clear plain text of Romans 7:13-25, making it mean something else.

3. Paul did not mince words. He admitted to struggling with sin because he’s human with struggles like all other humans are. Paul explained his theology on how his flesh sins uncontrollably and willingly while his spirit never sins and is perfected in Christ.


Romans 7:13-25 KJV
13Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For 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. 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23But 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. 24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

It is sad that so many are not honest as Paul was.
He understood the flesh is weak and as long we have to live in this weak flesh we will sin from time to time.
Paul also understood that when we confess, God does forgive.

Yes exactly, that seems like the most likely conclusion to me too.

There were times in my early days of reading the epistles, I would look at what “Paul said” regarding specific things….I don’t do that anymore.

Yes Paul wrote, and Paul experienced the things that he wrote personally about …but... all of the scripture that he wrote was by revelation from Jesus Christ….and that changed my perspective of things, not only with the epistles….. but with the gospels.

Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Jesus did not have to give that revelation to Paul... even though he experienced those things. But I imagine it was put in showing that even Paul had challenges….and we may deal with those things also. But despite his challenges he still walked with the power of God, ministered the Word, operated the manifestation of the spirit, and proclaimed the greatness of the age of grace through revelation.

Our choice is always to be sin conscious or Son conscious

If you continue from Rom 7:25 right into Rom 8:1.. There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. (Note: the latter part of the verse is omitted in all earlier Greek texts, but it is mentioned in v 4)
One of the biggest no -no’s is condemnation… through or because of sin…. it can disable a believer quicker than putting sugar in a gas tank. Or it will lead a believer away from grace into a religious infection of self-righteousness by works.

Paul said, he was the chief sinner, but i believe i am second in line to that!

Paul said he CRUCIFIED HIS FLESH DAILY!
That is called Repenting of Sins DAILY!

Paul was not necessarily saying that he sins "regularly". That would be absurd. He was simply pointing out that the sin nature is not eradicated when people are saved.

Maybe a better question: Is Romans 7 describing Paul's actual experience at the time he wrote Romans, or is it a hypothetical situation setting up the contrast with chapter 8? (That is, walking in the flesh vs walking in the Spirit?)

if I go off this questionaire : Did Paul sin uncontrollably and willfully on a regular basis?

I am going to say it is more uncontrollably rather than willingly.

If Paul saw a beautiful woman, I think he is no different than David seeing Bathsheba taking a bath.
The difference is Paul is not going to act upon his thoughts, even though his thoughts are more likely sinful.

If Paul was angered, he very well could say something he regrets or cause offense if he reacted in a moment.

I would think most of Paul's sins are like our own sins, more inline with thoughts rather actions.

I do agree in time we become tempted less even by the same temptation we once stumbled over. I think that is the sign of all Christians who [[Grow]] in Christ. I once was a hothead and now I am much calmer. That is growth in God and as a result, I sin LESS than what I would have when i was a hothead. I would think of Paul in the same condition.

What most of these posts are not speaking of is that Paul was a Christian and as a Christian he repented of sin. Paul told us that when he sinned it was against his will.

Paul explained this in Acts. … "Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ Acts 20:18-20

All the Apostles sinned. I don’t think it was a willingness to sin, but due to us still being in connection with the corruptible human condition.

I doubt he sinned "uncontrollably and willfully on a regular basis." But yes, I'm sure he sinned regularly. When you consider sin begins in the mind, everyone of us has sinful thoughts every day. Fortunately, as we are strengthened by the Spirit of Christ, we act on these thoughts less and less.

A person will never learn humility and make Christ the Lord of his or her life until they accept the fact that we are helpless sinners. We can't expect to reach a state of sinless perfection in this life. The good news is if we confess our sin and turn from it, our sin isn't held against us.

Regarding the question in the Title:

NO

I don't think it was willfully. I don't believe he would've written this if it was willful.

To be a Christian means that you repent of sin. If you repent of sin then you give your will over to Christ, you will not to sin. Paul was a Christian. That means that although Paul's flesh led him to sin it was against his will.

Paul tells us this was how it was with him, Paul said he did not understand himself for he found himself doing what he did not want to do.

he is explaining human nature stemming from the first commandment bekng broken

remember they ate “ the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil ?”

Paul is explaining how that became a law inside of man he’s speaking of all mankind and the issue that Christ deals with the fruit they consummed caused this law that is inside every person

“I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

That’s what the knowledge of good and evil became inside of Adam and eves descendants all mankind. That’s why it was forbidden before they did that God called them “ very good “ and then commanded them not to partake of the fruit of “ good and evils knowledge “ ot caused a conlicted heart inside of us

both good and evil now dwelt in
Man and they had no knowledge of what sin was they had evil in them and no way to discern it because God didn’t design man to know both good and evil

Paul is not saying he’s a continuing sinner as an apostle he’s using himself to show what the issue inside of man is and later how that issue is solved in chapter 8

That's great and I mostly agree with everything you said.
Do you see direct revelation from God as different or the same thing as inspiration of the Holy Spirit?

He used "me" and "I" a lot. It seems like he's talking about himself. I think he could have used himself as an example in chapter 7 for the contrast in chapter 8.

Okay fair enough. Paul did say that it is sin that dwells in him that is sinning, not himself that is sinning. Perhaps we can apply this same theology to ourselves? None of us willfully sin ever, that's just our flesh?

“But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7:8-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I was alive without the law once

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

but when the commandment came sin revived and I died

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:7, 16-17, ‭KJV‬‬

sin taking occasion by the commandment deceived me and by it slew me

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:4-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

and I died

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It's interesting. In Romans 7:7 he said "...I had not known sin, but by the law..." so I wonder if it's just better to not know the law and therefore not have consciousness of sins?