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NASB | 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] |
Subject: Is sinless perfection possible on earth? |
Bible Note: Greetings Biblicalman! You made your statement so precise that I thought perhaps there was a rule somewhere that said the same thing you were saying. So, if I understand your response correctly, your statement is simply a statement of your opinion concerning the passage. Which is fine! We are allowed to have opinions. However, if my opinion is that Paul was using an historical present, I am not violating any established rules of Greek grammar. :-) Now, allow me to demonstrate why I believe Paul is using an historical present. Perhaps that will shed some light on my thinking. If Paul is not using an historical present, then he makes the following contradictory statements. 1) Slaves or not: Rom 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Rom 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 2) To sin or not to sin: Rom 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Rom 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. There are other examples but let's stop there for the moment. If in Rom. 7:14-25, Paul is describing his present experience as a Christian, then Paul is directly contradicting everything he has to same about the sin nature in Rom. 6, Rom. 8, and Gal. 5. If Paul is speaking in Rom. 7:14-25 in the historical present of his experience prior to coming to Christ, as a Pharisee who wanted to obey the Law of God but could not since he was a slave to his sin nature, then Rom. 7:14-25 is in perfect harmony with Rom. 6, Rom. 8, and Gal. 5. By the way, for those who believe that Paul is simply describing himself from the perspective of spiritual maturity, where he is able to look at his 'holy' live and still see how far it falls short of God's glory, there is one fatal flaw. Rom. 7:14-25 does not say that he sometimes fails to live up to God's standards. It says that he ALWAYS fails to do so. Is that really a normative description of the Christian life in relation to sin? Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |