Romans 7 - Introduction

ROMANS chapter Romans 7:1-12

OUTLINE AND COMMENTARY-MARK DUNAGAN

I. OUTLINE OF CHAPTER SEVEN:

I. Change of relationship from the Law to Christ Illustrated: Romans 7:1-6

II. The Dawn of Conscience: Romans 7:7-13

III. The defence of the Law: Romans 7:14-25

The sense of bondage which comes through the relationship of the law prepares the soul to seek deliverance through relationship to Christ.

II. COMMENTARY ON chapter Romans 7:1-12:

INTRODUCTION:

'Paul is still defending the doctrine of justification by faith against the supposed objection that it allows sin. The supposition is that if. man be declared just without the works of the law (flawless law-keeping), then he is free to break the law. Paul declares, on the contrary, that justification by faith issues in. life of holiness....He has in the preceding chapter drawn an illustration from the institution of slavery, and has shown that one who is united to Christ has been delivered from the bondage of sin and has been made. servant of righteousness. In this paragraph he is using the illustration of marriage...thus he shows that the life of faith is. life of freedom from sin (habitual) and the law (flawlessness), yet it is. life of purity and holiness.'

'This chapter begins with Paul taking up again the thought he expressed in Romans 6:14. It is freedom from Law that keeps sin from having dominion over people who have sinned. He will make the claim in Romans 7:1-6 that the only way for sinners to acceptably serve their new Master is to get out from under the Law which demands flawlessness. As long as sinners are bound under the iron rule of Law they are required to offer flawlessness. If they offer less than that Sin becomes their master.'

Romans chapter Romans 7:13-25

I. INTRODUCTION:

'After all has been said and done, there are two basic views of the "wretched man" in this section of Scripture: (1) He is. Christian still struggling with sin. (2) He is. non-Christian struggling to fulfill the demands of the law.'

A. THE CHRISTIAN STRUGGLING WITH SIN VIEW:

This view is amply put forward by Robert F. Turner:"In Romans 7:15; Romans 7:19. Paul repeatedly says, 'what. would...I do not; but what. hate, that do I'. These are not the statements of an 'unregenerate' man. He 'hates' sin (Romans 7:15), 'delights' in the law of God (22), and is 'wretched' in recognition of the consequences of sin (24). Neither does this mean he always sins. In the light of his living for God's way, this simply says he knows he is less than perfect --that he sometimes sins in spite of his desire to do what is right. In context, he says one's failure to conquer fleshy appetites results in sin; and saints must recognize this fact. He sees two "laws" in saints (22-23), and here 'law' does not refer to. covenant, but to. rule of action, or compulsion. One such "law" is the saints 'delight in the law of God', the set of his 'mind' (heart/spirit,Romans 2:29), the law of God in the 'inward man' (Hebrews 8:10). But, there is another 'law' in every person who is yet in the fleshly body. The 'law of sin..in my members' (Romans 2:23) is the compulsion to serve self, to satisfy inordinate fleshly desires. These two forces war against one another, vying for control of one's life...Paul has used himself as an example, to shame those who would ask, 'Shall we continue in sin...'. believe he also shames those of us who seem to forget our need for repentance and prayer...Compare Romans 7:25. I serve the law of God--with the mind--through Jesus Christ; with Romans 1:9. I serve God--with my spirit--in the gospel. in Romans 7:25, Paul does not condone sin 'just so your heart is right'. The heart is not right that so reasons. But, he does hold forth hope and encouragement to those who grow weary with the flesh-spirit struggle. If. correctly understand him, in Romans 8:1. he develops this theme. Our spirit can and must prevail over our flesh..'

What brother Turner says is true concerning the 'spirit-flesh' struggle that all Christians experience, other passages teach the same truth (Romans 6:12-13; 1 Corinthians 9:25). But I'm not sure that this is Paul's point in Romans 7:13. At this time is seems more logical to me that Paul is describing the frustration that the non-Christian experiences who is trying to "do the right thing" apart from Christ. The sincere Jew who was struggling to keep the demands of the Law.

B. THE NON-CHRISTIAN VIEW:

1. People claim that this section doesn't refer to. non-Christian, because. non-Christian wouldn't be sensitive to God's law (Romans 7:18).

In response chapter Romans 2:14-15 informs us that Gentiles were sensitive to God's law. Cornelius,. non-Christian was sensitive to God's law (Acts 10:2). In addition, experience tells us otherwise, many of us who were raised in non-Christian families, grew up being sensitive of trying to do the "right thing".

2. In is claimed that verses 14-25 are written in the present tense rather than in the past, and so they speak of Paul's experience (as well as all saints) while he is writing this letter to the Romans.

But Paul often uses the present tense is speaking about things in the past. (2 Corinthians 3:7; 2 Corinthians 3:11; Hebrews 10:9.

3. It is argued that the context forbids us from going back to an "unsaved" man, since he is already freed from his sin in Chapter 6.

And yet, Romans 7:8-13 has introduced back into the context. man who was alive (in. stage of innocence) and then died (i.e. found himself in an unsaved condition).

In addition, some of the phrases in this section seem difficult in applying to. Christian who is TRYING. "Sold into bondage to sin" (Romans 7:14); "nothing good dwells in me" (Romans 7:18); "Sin which dwells in me" (Romans 7:20); "Wretched man that. am" (Romans 7:24). Plus it appears that the man in Chapter 7, who is in bondage (Romans 7:14), and. servant of the law of sin (Romans 7:25), is said to have been set free from the "law of sin" when he enters into Christ (Romans 8:2).

II. Romans 7:13 AND TOTAL HEREDITARY DEPRAVITY:

The Doctrine of Calvinism teaches that man is "wholly inclined to all evil" and made "opposite to all good" (Westminster Confession of Faith). People run to Romans chapter. and say, 'Ah ha', 'See,. totally depraved man'. And yet, Romans 7:1 teaches the exact opposite.

A. This man isn't totally depraved:

At no time is this "wretched man" said to "will" what is wrong. His problem is "living up to" what he longs for (Romans 7:15). This man can "see" that God's will is good, he can tell "right from wrong" (Romans 7:16) He "wishes" that he could live better than he does (Romans 7:18-19). This man sees himself as. "wretched person",. frustrated man! (Romans 7:15). THIS MAN ISN'T TOTALLY DEPRAVED!

McGuiggan makes. good point when he says: 'The "wretched" man is no uncaring decadent.'