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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: Hi Tim, I'm sort of slow myself in answering. I can agree with your comment regarding Rom 7 although I do not think Paul intended to be understood as describing in particular his own experience. Phil. 3:6. Unless I slipped, I did not assert that the apostle was “perfect.” I did say he was “blameless,” but as a believer. Before conversion and as a Pharisee, the apostle saw himself as righteous according to the Law. Phi 3:12-14. It seems here that the apostle’s mention of perfection is not with reference to his moral character but to his resurrection; at least, that is what it seems when context is considered. 1 Tim. 1:13,15-16. I think v.16 highlights the suggestion that the apostle’s reference to himself as the worst sinner is within the context of his acts, specifically against the Church, as a Pharisee before his dramatic conversion. It is not what he thought of himself at the time but only in hindsight. It does not describe his present experience as a believer, unless it is suggested that the apostle, as a believer in Messiah Yeshua, is engaged in sins that are worst than the worst offences of the ungodly? In hindsight Paul saw he did not keep Torah, at least, not in the spirit although in the letter he may have. I repeat, I did not say that the apostle claimed to be perfect as a believer, however, he did not claim to be in the habit of sinning; he claims to be blameless. Rom. 3:20; Gal 2:21; 3:10. There is no denial of this. This fact makes it all the more glaring for Paul since he claims to have kept Torah, seeking life by its observance. Also in summary, the apostle claims in hindsight as a believer that (1) he was a sinner, (2) his life as a believer is blameless before God and man, (3) the righteousness he attained as a Pharisee according to Torah was to no avail since it was unacceptable before God. To clarify Phil. 3:6, (1) There seems to be confusion between being “perfect” and being “blameless.” Paul claims to be blameless, not perfect; and (2) There seems to be no contradiction with the other verses because his reference to “perfection” is with respect to the divine act of being resurrected from the dead, not moral character. Just a couple of more pennies for the tin... |