Chapter # 7 Paragraph # 3 Study # 3
November 20, 2016
Humble, Texas
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1769 Translation:
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
1901 ASV Translation:
15 For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do.
16 But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good [is] not.
19 For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise.
20 But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.
21 I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.
24 Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
- I. The Explanation of Being "Sold Under The Sin".
- A. Paul addresses this explanation by using the intensified verb that means "intensive expenditure of effort"; a verb that first showed up in this chapter in verse eight and six of the eleven times it is found in Romans are found in this particular chapter. Clearly, it is a significant concept for this chapter's focus upon "Law".
- 1. This verb is first found in Romans in 1:27 where it depicts the frenetic energy of sexual passion at its peak.
- 2. Then Paul uses it next in 2:9 to describe the heavy culpability of men upon whom tribulation and anguish are poured out.
- 3. Next is 4:15 where the focus is upon the diligence of "Law" in its pursuit of the guilty, making sure that they get every "iota" of what is due them.
- 4. After that, 5:3 where Paul uses the word so that his readers get the point that difficulties "diligently labor" for the good of believers who are gung ho about doing the will of God. There are few ways for a person's most basic fixations to be altered; tribulations, however, have a distinct ability to do this.
- 5. The only other use in Romans outside of chapter seven is 15:18 where Paul refers to the arduous task of Christ doing things "through" His people (overcoming depravity is a significantly difficult task, even for the indwelling Christ).
- 6. All in all, this verb is used when it is necessary for people to understand how very difficult is the task in view, or, at least, how very significant is the outcome of the diligence involved.
- B. He claims to "not know" what it is that he is producing through diligent effort.
- 1. This is a major problem among human beings: we do not understand the deep motivations of our hearts/minds because they are deeply hidden according to Jeremiah's contention that the "heart is deceitful" to a degree that its possessors remain ignorant of its intentions.
- 2. Paul does not counsel attending psychology courses to find out what drives us; the problem with psychologists is that they think the "who can know it?" doesn't apply to them. The blind typically do not see themselves as blind, reminding us that Jesus said, "those who say we see continue to be blind" (John 9:41).
- C. Then he explains what he means...
- 1. What I am "willing", I am not practicing.
- a. This "willing" is not so much "volitional activity" as it is "desiring". This is not about "man's free/bound will"; it is about wanting to accomplish something. This is the verb Paul used in 1 Timothy 2:4 in his claim that God is "willing" for every man to be saved, clearly not a matter of a diving "will" to save. God's "desires" are often not followed up by a potent divine intention.
- b. The "practicing" is more emphatic than the follow-up "doing". He finds himself regularly failing to accomplish his desires.
- 2. But what I am hating, this I am doing.
- a. The antithetical "hating" is set against "wanting". This is an internal conflict of values with the "lesser" values dominating the "greater" ones.
- b. This "doing" is the less intensive term for taking action to accomplish something. Romans 2:3 indicates the same kind of distinction; that which exists between "practicing" some kind of behavior and simply "doing" something. Those who condemn others for their "practices" but "do" the same things are subject to the judgment of God.
- D. Then he draws a conclusion from what is happening.
- 1. There is a "consent" to the "goodness" of The Law that arises out of the very fact that he is doing things contrary to his own wishes.
- 2. Thus it is not "I" who am doing this, BUT the indwelling Sin. This is the very essence of the "sold under The Sin" concept: The Sin is actually "dwelling in me". Whatever this means, it is certain to include some form of potent inner compulsion(s).
- 3. This conclusion is drawn from the need to understand why anyone would act in such a manner as to directly contradict their own desires.