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.
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.
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