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NASB | Romans 7:19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 7:19 For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. |
Bible Question: Is Paul specifically referring to his current stuggle and condition (practicing evil) even after many years of following Jesus or his condition PRIOR to his conversion |
Bible Answer: Greetings Whatever! This is a tough question on which reasonable people can and do disagree. However, my position is that Paul is describing his life apart from Christ and under the Law in Rom. 7:7-25. Here are my reasons. 1) There is a contrast made between Rom. 7:7-25 and Rom. 8:1-17. This is one of the cases where chapter divisions are less than helpful. The person described in Rom. 7 is: a) A slave to sin - Rom. 7:14. b) Subject to the Law of sin - Rom. 7:23 and 25. However, in Rom. 8, the person is described as one who: a) Is not condemned - Rom. 8:1. b) Has been set free from the Law of sin - Rom. 8:2. c) Is not controlled by the sinful nature - Rom. 8:9. So, there is a clear distinction made between the person described in Rom. 7 and the one described in Rom. 8. What is the difference? The one in Rom. 7 is trying to obey the Law apart from Christ and is unable to do so because of their sin nature. The person in Rom. 8 has been made alive by the Spirit of Christ and is now led by the Spirit. 2) The second reason I believe that Rom. 7 cannot refer to a believer is because of Rom. 6. Romans 6 makes statements that cannot be reconciled with the view that Rom. 7 describes a Christians ongoing struggle with sin. Consider the following: a) We have died to sin - Rom. 6:2. b) Our old self was crucified with Christ - Rom. 6:6. c) The body of sin has been done away with - Rom. 6:6. d) We are no longer slaves to sin - Rom. 6:6. e) Sin is not our master - Rom. 6:14. These statements cannot be reconciled with the view that Rom. 7 is speaking of a believer who continually struggles with sin. In particular, Rom. 7:14 says that this person is a slave to sin, but Rom. 6:6 says that believers are not slaves to sin. I hope this helps! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |