Who Was the Wretched Man, Romans 7?
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 9:58 pm
As I study this passage again (Romans 7:14-25) I find myself forced to re-examine what I have long considered - that Paul was not speaking of a Christian. It seems there are a number of possibilities:
A believer, new to the faith, Paul himself or a generic Christian.
A mature Christian, Paul or generic.
Paul under the law as a Jew, or a generic Jew.
Paul just prior to conversion.
I have excluded from the above those who do not believe in God as a Jew or Christian; they would have no concern with being unable to keep God's law.
The reason for my long held belief that Paul is not speaking of his experience as a Christian, or that of any other Christian, is primarily found in v. 14:
Romans 7:14 (NASB)
14. For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.
Paul is not merely saying he (or whoever) is human (flesh). He used the wrong Greek word for that. Paul used sarkikos, Strong's #4559, which refers to "after the manner of flesh", "carnally formed, inclined, and disposed". If he was pointing out he was human, sarkinos, Strong's #4560, which means "consisting of flesh" would have been the appropriate word. Sarkikos refers to carnal behavior, Sarkinos to what we are made of.
Additionally Paul says he is sold into bondage to sin after just saying in Romans 6 Christians have been set free, and again in chapter 8 that "to be carnally minded is death".
John Peter Lange wrote that the predicate "sold" in verse 14 must be tampered with to make the reference be to a regenerated, spiritual man, and made to mean, not simply "I am carnal", but "I was", "I am so to a certain extent", "I am still carnal, though not as formerly".
It might be thought that Galatians 5:16-18 presents a similar case:
Galatians 5:16-18 (NASB)
16. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
But here we find there is the expectation that they can, through the Spirit, overcome the flesh, and Paul uses an imperative, commanding them to do so. In the Romans 7:14-25 passage we find no hope, only defeat.
So how do you see it and why?
A believer, new to the faith, Paul himself or a generic Christian.
A mature Christian, Paul or generic.
Paul under the law as a Jew, or a generic Jew.
Paul just prior to conversion.
I have excluded from the above those who do not believe in God as a Jew or Christian; they would have no concern with being unable to keep God's law.
The reason for my long held belief that Paul is not speaking of his experience as a Christian, or that of any other Christian, is primarily found in v. 14:
Romans 7:14 (NASB)
14. For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.
Paul is not merely saying he (or whoever) is human (flesh). He used the wrong Greek word for that. Paul used sarkikos, Strong's #4559, which refers to "after the manner of flesh", "carnally formed, inclined, and disposed". If he was pointing out he was human, sarkinos, Strong's #4560, which means "consisting of flesh" would have been the appropriate word. Sarkikos refers to carnal behavior, Sarkinos to what we are made of.
Additionally Paul says he is sold into bondage to sin after just saying in Romans 6 Christians have been set free, and again in chapter 8 that "to be carnally minded is death".
John Peter Lange wrote that the predicate "sold" in verse 14 must be tampered with to make the reference be to a regenerated, spiritual man, and made to mean, not simply "I am carnal", but "I was", "I am so to a certain extent", "I am still carnal, though not as formerly".
It might be thought that Galatians 5:16-18 presents a similar case:
Galatians 5:16-18 (NASB)
16. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
But here we find there is the expectation that they can, through the Spirit, overcome the flesh, and Paul uses an imperative, commanding them to do so. In the Romans 7:14-25 passage we find no hope, only defeat.
So how do you see it and why?