“I am carnal, sold under sin”

A Study of Romans 7:14-25A Study of Romans 7:14-25

The Interpretations

Paul refers to his experiences as a Paul refers to his experiences as a ChristianChristian..

Paul refers to his Paul refers to his pre-conversionpre-conversion experiences.experiences.

Paul refers to himself in a “rhetorical” Paul refers to himself in a “rhetorical” fashion.fashion.

What Has Spawned The Debate?

The nature of the text.The nature of the text.

Doctrinal issues.Doctrinal issues.

Emotional issues.Emotional issues.

Important Points To Remember

No interpretation is without difficulties.No interpretation is without difficulties.

This is not to deny the possibility of a correct This is not to deny the possibility of a correct understanding of the passage.understanding of the passage.

We, however, must proceed with caution.We, however, must proceed with caution. We are bound to the text to determine the correct We are bound to the text to determine the correct

interpretation.interpretation.

Position 1: Paul Speaks of His Own Experiences As a Christian

Arguments in Favor of the “Christian” Interpretation The “Christian” interpretation has no The “Christian” interpretation has no

conflict with Paul’s use of the conflict with Paul’s use of the first person first person singular singular and the and the present tensepresent tense..

The “Christian” interpretation is argued to The “Christian” interpretation is argued to fit within the fit within the context context of Romans 5-8, where of Romans 5-8, where it is claimed that the subject is the meaning it is claimed that the subject is the meaning of the life of a Christian.of the life of a Christian.

The speaker is described as “one who delights The speaker is described as “one who delights in God’s Law and in willing the good…and that in God’s Law and in willing the good…and that he does so ‘according to the he does so ‘according to the inward man’inward man’ (7:22), an expression used elsewhere in Paul (7:22), an expression used elsewhere in Paul (cf. 2 Cor. 4:16) to refer to the Christian (cf. 2 Cor. 4:16) to refer to the Christian believer.”believer.”

It should also be noted that the conflict stated in It should also be noted that the conflict stated in Romans 7:14, although used as strong proof Romans 7:14, although used as strong proof against this section referring to a Christian, is against this section referring to a Christian, is echoed by Paul in Galatians 5:17. echoed by Paul in Galatians 5:17.

The “Christian” interpretation is argued to The “Christian” interpretation is argued to fit with thefit with the character character of one who isof one who is “in “in Christ,”Christ,” not in the world. not in the world.

The Weaknesses of the “Christian” Interpretation Although the use of the Although the use of the present tensepresent tense in in

relationship to the relationship to the first person singularfirst person singular (e.g., “I am carnal…”) is considered strong (e.g., “I am carnal…”) is considered strong evidence for the “Christian” interpretation, evidence for the “Christian” interpretation, it falls short of being conclusive.it falls short of being conclusive.

There are examples of the present tense There are examples of the present tense referring to past actions (Matt. 17:11-12; referring to past actions (Matt. 17:11-12; Heb. 10:9-10; Rom. 5:14; 1 Cor. 13:12).Heb. 10:9-10; Rom. 5:14; 1 Cor. 13:12).

The change of tense from past to present The change of tense from past to present in 7:13 to 14 is said to be made almost in 7:13 to 14 is said to be made almost imperceptibly, that one could read the imperceptibly, that one could read the whole of the narrative without noticing a whole of the narrative without noticing a changechange..NOTENOTE: This, however, is a bit subjective.: This, however, is a bit subjective.

First, Romans 7:7-8 appears to deal with the First, Romans 7:7-8 appears to deal with the experience of one who is outside of Christexperience of one who is outside of Christ..

McGuiggan addresses this issue in the McGuiggan addresses this issue in the following quote:following quote:

To argue that Romans 7:14-25 must refer to To argue that Romans 7:14-25 must refer to Paul’s experiences as a Christian because Paul’s experiences as a Christian because the “context” of Romans 5-8 addresses the the “context” of Romans 5-8 addresses the “meaning of the life of a Christian” is to “meaning of the life of a Christian” is to assume too muchassume too much..

“ “Besides, Paul’s point in this section is to Besides, Paul’s point in this section is to defend the Law and demonstrate its awful defend the Law and demonstrate its awful holiness. This he needs to do because he has holiness. This he needs to do because he has been saying people need to be brought out been saying people need to be brought out from under Law to acceptably serve God from under Law to acceptably serve God and so people might get the impression the and so people might get the impression the Law is in some way evil. Paul wishes to Law is in some way evil. Paul wishes to show that it is not only show that it is not only not not evil, it is too evil, it is too holy for him; it keeps him enslaved to sin. holy for him; it keeps him enslaved to sin. So under Law (and without Christ) he is a So under Law (and without Christ) he is a “wretched man.” (J. McGuiggan)“wretched man.” (J. McGuiggan)

Thus, the addition of a parenthetical statement Thus, the addition of a parenthetical statement concerning the hopelessness of seeking concerning the hopelessness of seeking righteousness under the Law and apart from righteousness under the Law and apart from Christ would, very effectively, stress the great Christ would, very effectively, stress the great deliverance and blessing we have in and deliverance and blessing we have in and through Jesus Christ.through Jesus Christ.

This person is “sold under sin” and a This person is “sold under sin” and a “servant of sin” (see Romans 6:22, etc).“servant of sin” (see Romans 6:22, etc).

This person is “captive to the law of sin and This person is “captive to the law of sin and death” (compare to Romans 8:2).death” (compare to Romans 8:2).

This person has the “law of sin” in his This person has the “law of sin” in his members. (compare to Romans 6:12). members. (compare to Romans 6:12).

This person lives in a “body of death” This person lives in a “body of death” (compare to Romans 6:13). (compare to Romans 6:13).

Is This Describing a Christian?

Nygren’s use of Galatians 5:17 as an Nygren’s use of Galatians 5:17 as an attempt to show that Paul’s language attempt to show that Paul’s language concerning “carnality” and “slavery” to sin concerning “carnality” and “slavery” to sin are in line with the Christian life fails to are in line with the Christian life fails to address the Galatians passage properly.address the Galatians passage properly.

Nygren’s attempt to address this problem Nygren’s attempt to address this problem by arguing for a Calvinistic distinction by arguing for a Calvinistic distinction between “righteousness of faith” and between “righteousness of faith” and “moral righteousness” falls short of the “moral righteousness” falls short of the truth (see 1 John 3:6-8).truth (see 1 John 3:6-8).

Others, however, such as Moses Lard, have Others, however, such as Moses Lard, have straddled the fence, it seems, by interpreting the straddled the fence, it seems, by interpreting the passage as follows: passage as follows: ““I Paul am fleshly; though redeemed, and pardoned, I Paul am fleshly; though redeemed, and pardoned,

and accepted, I am still fleshly; not wholly so, but and accepted, I am still fleshly; not wholly so, but fleshly, fleshly still in a body of flesh, from the fleshly, fleshly still in a body of flesh, from the influence of which, so long as I am in it, I can never influence of which, so long as I am in it, I can never become entirely freed. Not only so; I am fleshly, and become entirely freed. Not only so; I am fleshly, and therefore therefore sold under sin, sold under sin, not completely so, as before not completely so, as before my conversion, but still under it, and under it to a my conversion, but still under it, and under it to a certain extent as abjectly as is the slave under his certain extent as abjectly as is the slave under his master. For struggle against sin as I may, I still commit master. For struggle against sin as I may, I still commit it. I seem powerless to abstain from it entirely…Only it. I seem powerless to abstain from it entirely…Only let his language not be taken too strongly, and it let his language not be taken too strongly, and it presents no difficulty.”presents no difficulty.”

Position 2: Paul Speaks of His Pre-conversion Experiences.

Arguments in Favor of the “Pre-Conversion” Interpretation The description of the individual in Romans The description of the individual in Romans

7:14-25 and the “losing battle” 7:14-25 and the “losing battle” characteristic of his life are incompatible characteristic of his life are incompatible with the freedom from slavery to sin with the freedom from slavery to sin effected in the Christian.effected in the Christian. Consider the language of Romans 7:18-Consider the language of Romans 7:18-

19.19.

With each sin he saw the victory of “sin” as it With each sin he saw the victory of “sin” as it brought him “into captivity to the law of sin which brought him “into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (see Romans 7:22-23)is in my members” (see Romans 7:22-23)..

Despite the fact that Paul describes himself as Despite the fact that Paul describes himself as “blameless” in accordance with the “righteousness “blameless” in accordance with the “righteousness which is in the law” (Phil. 3:6), his complete view which is in the law” (Phil. 3:6), his complete view of his condition after obeying the gospel was far of his condition after obeying the gospel was far different than what it was while outside of Christ different than what it was while outside of Christ (Acts 23:1; Phil. 3:7; 1 Tim. 1:12-13,15).(Acts 23:1; Phil. 3:7; 1 Tim. 1:12-13,15).

The description of this individual is indicative of The description of this individual is indicative of the view a mature Christian would have of his past the view a mature Christian would have of his past struggles as a Jew seeking to be righteous under struggles as a Jew seeking to be righteous under lawlaw..

That Paul would address the inadequacies of That Paul would address the inadequacies of seeking righteousness by law alone after a seeking righteousness by law alone after a discourse concerning how a Christian has discourse concerning how a Christian has “become dead to the law through the body of “become dead to the law through the body of Christ” (7:4) and “been delivered from the law, Christ” (7:4) and “been delivered from the law, having died to what you were held by” is quite having died to what you were held by” is quite understandable.understandable.

Consider some quotes from McGuiggan and Consider some quotes from McGuiggan and Jan Lambert.Jan Lambert.

The pre-conversion interpretation fits with The pre-conversion interpretation fits with the context of Romans 7.the context of Romans 7.

The “now” in Romans 8:1 helps to show that The “now” in Romans 8:1 helps to show that there is a distinct difference in the time frame there is a distinct difference in the time frame addressed and concluded with the “then” of addressed and concluded with the “then” of Romans 7:25.Romans 7:25. It should be noted that the “then/now” construction It should be noted that the “then/now” construction

is used by Paul elsewhere to refer to the “pre-is used by Paul elsewhere to refer to the “pre-Christian/Christian” time distinction (Romans Christian/Christian” time distinction (Romans 6:20-22; 7:5-6).6:20-22; 7:5-6).

Romans 8:1 describes victory (i.e., “no Romans 8:1 describes victory (i.e., “no condemnation”) for all who “walk…according to condemnation”) for all who “walk…according to the Spirit.”the Spirit.”

In Romans 8:2 Paul, again using the first person In Romans 8:2 Paul, again using the first person singular (i.e., “me”), exclaims, “For the law of the singular (i.e., “me”), exclaims, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”the law of sin and death.”

The Weaknesses of the “Pre-conversion” Interpretation One of the strongest arguments against Romans One of the strongest arguments against Romans

7:14-25 referring to Paul’s pre-Christian past is, 7:14-25 referring to Paul’s pre-Christian past is, again, his use of the 1again, his use of the 1stst person/present tense. person/present tense.

Why the sudden change from the past tense to the Why the sudden change from the past tense to the present (i.e., Between 7:13 and 7:14)?present (i.e., Between 7:13 and 7:14)?

Other verses that use the present tense in much the Other verses that use the present tense in much the same fashion are located in contexts that are same fashion are located in contexts that are heavily marked by past time narratives (i.e., heavily marked by past time narratives (i.e., Matthew 17:11-12; Hebrews 10:9-10).Matthew 17:11-12; Hebrews 10:9-10).

The view that Romans 7:14-25 addresses Paul’s The view that Romans 7:14-25 addresses Paul’s pre-conversion state while living as a Jew fails to pre-conversion state while living as a Jew fails to give a proper explanation of 7:25.give a proper explanation of 7:25.

The force of the “then/now” construction in The force of the “then/now” construction in Romans 7:25 and 8:1 as proof of a time change Romans 7:25 and 8:1 as proof of a time change from pre-conversion to post-conversion is from pre-conversion to post-conversion is weakened by the use of some of the same type weakened by the use of some of the same type terms in relationship to the Christian life in terms in relationship to the Christian life in Romans 8.Romans 8.

It is argued that Paul’s description of the person in It is argued that Paul’s description of the person in Romans 7:14-25 does not fit with Paul’s Romans 7:14-25 does not fit with Paul’s description elsewhere of his life or that of others description elsewhere of his life or that of others before coming into Christ (compare to Phil. 3:6 before coming into Christ (compare to Phil. 3:6 and Rom. 1:18-32).and Rom. 1:18-32).

Cottrell, in his Cottrell, in his Commentary on RomansCommentary on Romans, , argues that the description given of the man argues that the description given of the man of Romans 7:14-25 fits with other descrip-of Romans 7:14-25 fits with other descrip-tions of Paul himself and should not, tions of Paul himself and should not, therefore, be considered as weighty therefore, be considered as weighty evidence in favor of the “pre-Christian” evidence in favor of the “pre-Christian” position (see 1 Tim 1:15).position (see 1 Tim 1:15).

Position 3: Paul Uses the “I” in a Rhetorical Fashion

Strengths of the Rhetorical Position

The direct application to Paul’s life is The direct application to Paul’s life is somewhat, if not completely, avoided. somewhat, if not completely, avoided.

Most problems with the present tense are Most problems with the present tense are also minimized.also minimized.

Weaknesses of the “Rhetorical” Interpretation One must still determine to whom the text is One must still determine to whom the text is

referring.referring. When this is done, many of the same When this is done, many of the same

doctrinal issues will arise.doctrinal issues will arise. Yet, I must admit that Clinton Hamilton’s Yet, I must admit that Clinton Hamilton’s

view that this refers to all men who would view that this refers to all men who would try to attain righteousness through law try to attain righteousness through law outside of Christ is inviting.outside of Christ is inviting.