Romans 7:13-25

ROMANS—NOTE ON Romans 7:13 Even if the law is not sin (vv. Romans 7:7), is the good law responsible for death? Paul argues that the fault lies with sin, not with the law. Through the law, sin is revealed in all its horror, while the law is shown to be good. There has been much debate as to whether Paul is describing believers or unbelievers. Although good arguments are given by both sides, the most widely held view is that Paul is referring to believers. Advocates of both positions agree that Christians struggle with sin their whole lives (see Galatians 5:17; 1 John 1:8). They also agree that Christians can and should grow in sanctification throughout their lives by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:2, Romans 8:4, Romans 8:9, Romans 8:13). Those who think Paul is describing believers usually see this passage as describing both Paul’s own experience and the experience of Christians generally. This view is that Christians are free from the condemnation of the law, but sin continues to dwell within them. They should understand how far they fall short of God’s absolute standard of righteousness. Thus Paul cries out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24). The answer follows immediately: the one who has delivered Christians once for all (see Romans 4:2; Romans 5:2, Romans 5:9) and who will deliver them day by day is “Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25). This reflects the ongoing tension between the “already” aspect of salvation (believers have been saved) and the “not yet” aspect (believers will be saved at the return of Christ).