Sabbath: Who is the Man of Romans 7?
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Read for This Week’s Study: Romans 7.
Memory Text: “Now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter” (Romans 7:6).
Few chapters in the Bible have created more controversy than has Romans 7. Concerning the issues involved, The SDA Bible Commentary says: “The meaning of [Romans 7:14-25] has been one of the most discussed problems in the whole epistle. The main questions have been as to whether the description of such intense moral struggle could be autobiographical, and, if so, whether the passage refers to Paul’s experience before or after his conversion. That Paul is speaking of his own personal struggle with sin seems apparent from the simplest meaning of his words (cf. [Romans 7:7-11]; . . .). [Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 19; Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 475.] It is surely also true that he is describing a conflict that is more or less experienced by every soul confronted by and awakened to the spiritual claims of God’s holy law.” – The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 553.
Bible students differ on whether Romans 7 was Paul’s experience before or after his conversion. Whatever position one takes, what’s important is that Jesus’ righteousness covers us and that in His righteousness we stand perfect before God, who promises to sanctify us, to give us victory over sin, and to conform us to “the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). These are the crucial points for us to know and experience as we seek to spread “the everlasting gospel” to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Rev. 14:6).
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 25.
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I love the studies on God and what His word says.
The man of Romans 7 is not a hypocrite, he loves Gods law. He is earnest, but he is not a genuinely converted man. Romans 7 describes a classic legalist, he really desires victory, he wants something better, he strives with all his human effort for victory, but he meets with constant failure. He believes that's the way it will be until Jesus comes.
The man of Romans did ask the right question though.
“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Paul came back immediately, I thank God-- through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You remember last quarter, Paul answers the man of Romans 7 question so clear in: Galatians 2:20.
John. This is Paul you are talking about. If he is not a truly converted, then no one is. The Greek simple does not support your view. This is written in the present continuous tense. This is a man that the closer he gets to God more fully recognizes his need of a Savior.
Jim, many theologians agree, Paul was writing in present tense about a past experience. Many writers do this. Still, there is a struggle even after conversion, but we are promised victory in the struggle.
William, are you there yet? I'm still waiting to meet someone who answers , yes to that. The victory IS won, in Christ's death and resurection. Our victory and duty is to hang on to Him and His victory. As I draw closer to Him, each day I better appreciate that it is my sin that He suffered on that cross but I still struggle daily ,just like Paul in the present continuous sense. The Greek does not support a historical view.
Hi Jim, "Am I there yet?" It is not about me, it is about Jesus. I look to Jesus and His Word instead of myself or those around me. My faith is in Scripture, not appearances. Eve fell by looking at what she saw instead of what God's Word said. John became discouraged in prison, wondering if Jesus was even the Messiah, by looking at his appearance and situation instead of God's Word saying, "This is my Son." Am I there yet? No, but I am not putting any limitations on where God may take me. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." Ephesians 3:20. I know first of all the Bible is not based on what we imagine or see, but on God's Word. Second, whatever we can imagine possible, God says he can do infinitely more than that.
As far as the Greek not supporting a historical view, I already shared my understanding, so we need not rehash that. We can agree to disagree. 🙂
Paul often uses metaphor as example or illustration in order to present the thoughts on his mind, Such as Romans 7:4,"dead to the law". This is how all of his letters were constructed. The question that has occurred to me, especially in the study of Galatians, the instructions given to the new converts if they were aware of Romans 7. A possible time period conflict ? Certainly before his conversion. What is unmistakable is Romans 7:18,19.
So is John also speaking to NEW CONVERTS about his as well as their experience BEFORE their conversion in 1 John 3:2?
I do not think that either the Apostle Paul or John were speaking of their experience before their conversion in 1 John 3:2 or Romans 7:18,19. They were both speaking of their experience IN THE FLESH after their conversion to JESUS.
Pete, we sure struggle even as Christians don't we? I wish I was more like Jesus. I know by God's grace I can be. Yet I see people who have been in the church only a fraction of the time I have been, and yet they are already so much more like Jesus than I am! But I follow Paul's counsel in Philippians 3 and keep pressing onward, keeping my eyes on Jesus. I know He loves and accepts me even with all my faults. I am thankful that Paul, whether describing his struggle before or after conversion or both, goes on to tell us how to have victory by living in the Spirit instead of "IN THE FLESH."
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2 NKJV
"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His." Romans 8:9 NKJV
This would be so much easier to understand if we stopped trying to make this passage say what it does not. Chapter 7 has nothing to do with the 10 commandments -- not directly anyway.
Let's take the memory verse as our platform for understanding...
“Now we are delivered from the law,...
Are we delivered from the 10 commandments? Certainly not. So what law would we be delivered from? The answer to that question follows in exactly what Paul is saying.
...that being dead wherein we were held;
What law were we held as dead men in? Certainly not the commandments for they are all about life, not death.
Romans 8:2
... Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Well now, this makes sense. If I sin I will die. If I am held in that law then I'm dead.
"that we should serve in newness of spirit,"
This contrast was actually shown in the first part of Romans 8:2
"2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus"...
So what is this law of the Spirit of life?
Romans 3:27
..."Nay: but by the law of faith."
By living under the law of faith we automatically keep the commandments which happen to be called commandments, not laws. We also keep the Mosaic covenant including the health law. It's in our nature.
..."and not in the oldness of the letter”
By following the law of faith we are loosed from the law of death. It really is that simple. Those who choose to hang onto the law of death are bound to the letter of sin's consequence.
How I wish the SDA would tackle the law in the context of what it is said in the respective chapter. Chapters 6,7&8 are about living a sanctified life.
Paul is make reference to the law in that it is not the dynamic that sanctifies. This is the office of the Holy Spirit.
I don't understand why we shift from that perspective.
We miss a lot by trying to make the word "law" a Sabbath issue.
What happens if I DON'T overcome my addiction before I die. Will I still go to heaven?
What is keeping you from overcoming?
Do you understand about God's thought replacement therapy?
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Cor 10:5
Why do you think Paul was inspired to write what is in Romans 7 after what is written in Romans 6?
It came to me that the "wretched" Paul in Romans 7 might just be in a better place than the "wretched" ones described by Christ in Revelation 3, who knew not their true condition and were near the place of being spewed out of the presence of God.
Also something else that I thought interesting is when Paul speaks in Corinthians of the blessed thorn in his flesh, "messenger of Satan", to help keep him walking in humilty..
Suffering send to help bring things in proper perspective to those buggering and thrusting after righteousness..
Rom. 7 man is different than the man in Rom. 8. It seems many believe that Rom. 7 is more true to life than Rom. 8 because they see themselves in 7 more than 8. If this is all there is, who is Christ Our Righteousness? The only thing that counts is a new creation. The only way is by faith. I only slip back into 7 when I dont believe that I was crucified with Christ.