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NASB | Romans 7:24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 7:24 Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]? |
Subject: Who is the Wretched Man? |
Bible Note: Brother Tim, To a Pharisee, was there understanding of righteousness not in the "observance of the Law"? Yes, indeed it was and when Paul says he was found blameless in regards to the righteousness that is in the Law he is stating his view of his past life as a Pharisee. He goes on to say he counts it all as loss that he may be found in Christ, not having a righteousness of his own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith (Philippians 3:8-9). I'm not sure how we could find his meaning of not being blameless in regards to the righteousness that is in the Law anything but him viewing himself sinless at the time he was a Pharisee. By the way, it is not my notion but rather Scripture that explains the state of the lost. It is clear that the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised (1 Corinthians 2:14). It is clear that the flesh does not and cannot submit itself to the laws of God (Romans 8:7). It is clear from the word that all are under sin there are none righteous, none understand, none seeks for God, all have turned aside, all have become useless, none does good (Romans 3:10-12). I don't think we can in good conscience ignore that when considering the passage of scripture in question. The Judaism argument side steps the issue altogether. I didn't present the argument as you stated it. Never the less, their legalistic approach to righteousness does indeed reflect what the scriptures teach in regards to the lost. On your third point I think I have been trying to address that. I personally do not see the passage as you have described it. The contradiction as I see it comes when trying to view the passage as describing a lost person. This is why I pointed to what the word teaches us about the lost person. In context of the whole I personally fail to see how the passage in question can ever relate to one who is lost. The greater contradiction as I see it is to claim the things Paul says is that of a non-believer. There the contradictions to overcome becomes greater then my simple mind could ever reason given the clear teaching in Scripture of the fallen man. Paul makes a crucial point in verses 17 and 18. SO NOW, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. (v17) For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh... (v18). Yet as a Pharisee, blameless. Go figure! :-) The Law was spiritual, not Paul, he like we were sold into bondage to sin. It is not that we are not capable of sinning any longer. But we have been justified, declared righteous in Christ! No longer condemned (Romans 6:6-7, 8:1). This is our freedom from sin! Our obligation is no longer to the flesh (Romans 8:12) but the Spirit! Putting to death the deeds of the body. The corruption of the flesh is ever present (Romans 8:5-8) and Paul clearly warns of our obligation to live according to the Spirit and not the flesh (Romans 8:13). Sorry for the long delay in responding. It was a busy weekend and typical Monday... Your brother in Christ, Steve |