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NASB | Romans 7:14 ¶ For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 7:14 ¶ We know that the Law is spiritual, but I am a creature of the flesh [worldly, self-reliant--carnal and unspiritual], sold into slavery to sin [and serving under its control]. |
Subject: "the law is spiritual, but I am carnal" |
Bible Note: Greetings Atdcross! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you my friend! I have been very busy. Allow me to address your specific question, but allow me first to give a bird's eye view. I believe that Paul is describing himself as a Pharisee in Rom. 7:14-25, but not as he would have described himself when he was a Pharisee. Rather, he is describing himself from what he now knows about the law and grace. In Phil. 3:6, I believe that Paul is describing himself as he would have described himself prior to becoming a Christian. With that in mind, note that he clearly does not see himself as being perfect even as a Christian. (Phi 3:12) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Phi 3:13) Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, (Phi 3:14) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Note how he describes himself in 1 Tim. 1:15-16: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." He says in 1 Tim. 1:13 - "Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief." Paul makes it clear throughout Scripture that he did not perfectly keep the law. Rom. 3:20 says, "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. " He says in Gal. 2:21 - " I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Gal. 3:10 says, "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, ‘‘The righteous will live by faith.”" In summary, Paul describes himself over and over again as a sinner. He states that he has not attained perfection. He states that all have fallen short of the glory of God, and that no one can be saved by obeying the law since it would require perfect obedience. If Paul meant in Phil. 3:6 that he had been perfectly obedient to the Law, he would be contradicting all of these other verses. Anyway, that my 2 cents! ;-) Happy New Year my friend! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |