Romans 7.7--8 Class Notes

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TLC Women’s Bible Study Romans 7:7 - ch. 8 Paul Spurlock 3/6/18

Chapter 7:7-25 Notes & Commentary: Overview & Review: (All 3 sections of chapter 7 have to do with the Law): 1 - 6 Freedom from being under the Law (Illustration from marriage—we’re free from the “marriage” to Old Covenant Law. We have a new “husband” now in Christ & His New Covenant). 7-12 No ultimate freedom in the midst of the Law. The Law tended to reveal, arouse and then condemn our sin but it’s not helpful to save us from our sins. 13-25 The Law cannot free us from the struggle with the two natures (Yet)! One day we’ll be with Christ and our sin natures will be eradicated! Freedom!! But until then, our old nature will be in conflict with our new nature that loves to please our new “husband,” Jesus.

7:7-11 Picking up where verse six left off, the Law both establishes a righteous law code (so it’s clear what’s right & wrong) and it can “arouse” sin (7:6) because as natural rebels, once a law says “Do not touch,” we are tempted to touch! Paul gets personal here in saying that the Law “proved to result in death for me” after giving the example of “coveting”; it sounds like this was a personal struggle for Paul. There are two sides of the sword of the Law so to speak. On the one hand its intent is to “result in life” by warning us of sin. But, because the Law can only reveal our sins & plight but cannot save us, it also “result[s] in death” (v. 10) for us by both, again, arousing sin and shedding light on our state of being dead in our sins without Jesus. 7:9 Continuing to share his struggle, Paul states “I died.” In other words, sin kills (cf. v. 11). But in what sense was Paul “dead”? After all, Paul was obviously still physically “alive” as he writes Romans. So, again, what does he mean? Is he speaking about being spiritually dead or alive? (this is possible but it’s ambiguous). We often speak of our pre-Christian lives as being “spiritually dead.” While helpful and even accurate in terms of describing our lives before we knew Jesus, “spiritually dead” is not a literal term found in the Bible. Due to this, some point to 2 Samuel 9:8, Romans 4:19 & Hebrews 11:12 which provide a clue. In these texts the condition of being “as good as dead” is described. It doesn’t mean total absence of any life, but hopeless situations that need supernatural help to be remedied. So how does that connect to Romans 7? Paul (& we) “died” in the sense that once the Law was made known, sin was clearly identified and our hopeless state was fully revealed. We were “as good as dead” in terms of making peace with a holy God. We needed supernatural help. Non-Calvinists would say that we are not bereft of any awareness of the need of our souls before we’re “regenerated,” even if we are 100% doomed without Jesus. Like being on the Titanic after it struck the iceberg, we’re doomed, completely unable to save ourselves without a lifeboat, but we’re not completely unaware of the existence of the lifeboat. As is apparent with the existence of all the world’s religions, non-Christians do demonstrate an affinity for seeking God prior to finding Him / being found by Him (Cornelius? (Acts 10); Acts 13:42-46), etc. Calvinists will push back against this when we get to 8:10-11, arguing that regeneration precedes seeking God in any way, shape or form.

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7:13 Once the Law, again, sheds light on our sins, we see that it is not the Law that is bad but the sin within us. Thus Paul says the Law “did that which is good” in the sense that it revealed our plight. And now a very famous passage that’s been debated forever and one that all can relate to! Top Four Interpretations of 7:14-25… View 1: Paul is describing his pre-Christian life as a Pharisee. View 2: Paul is describing a carnal Christian who needs to repent (& some say he’s describing a Christian who has not yet experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit). View 3: Paul personifying sin as manifest in his brethren, Gentiles or all humanity. Since a true Christian has been “bought” by Christ (1 Cor. 6:20 & 7:23), Paul cannot be talking about his actual self because the person described here is said to be “sold into bondage to sin.” View 4: Paul is describing himself at times. 7:14 Taken at face value, it sounds like Paul is expressing great courage and “being real” by admitting that at times he’s “of flesh” (carnal). Those who do not think Paul is describing himself recall 6:15 when he says “May it never be!” (when answering the question of allowing sin to be “master over” the believer). Nevertheless, I favor View 4. Here’s why: • Paul speaks of himself in the present tense throughout the chapter. • Paul is the Apostle Paul, but he’s still human! Gal. 5:17 describes the same. • At 1 Tim. 1:15 Paul describes himself as “chief among sinners” (not meaning he’s literally the worst sinner that ever lived. He’s being hyperbolic but wanting to be clear he’s a sinner like us! • 7:22 describes this person as one who “joyfully concur[s] with the law,” something quite true of Paul. Verse 25 says more of the same. 8:25 also agrees: “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” While Paul was a man who struggled with sin too, his primary character was one which focused on “things of the Spirit.” • At Rom 8: 23, Paul includes himself among those who “groan within ourselves waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body” (cf. Ephesians 2). • All Christians struggle with sin, so this is realistic sounding, even of Paul. • Phrases like “I am doing” (7:17-20) and “Wretched man that I am!” (7:24), etc., appear to be, at face value, Paul describing himself and not a personification of the struggle of others. • Like all Christians who struggle with sin, the one speaking here indicates that he wants “to be set free”! This sounds like a typical Christian. Paul would not be above this struggle. • All this is indicating is that the person Paul’s describing struggles with sin. It’s not saying he is living in sin. And, the non-Christian doesn’t really “struggle” with sin since his/her nature hasn’t been born again. It’s the one born again that struggles to live consistently in accordance of the new nature that does.

As some commentators put it, prior to repentance our two wills (mind & flesh) were unified & agreed in having no objection to sining. But once we’re born again, we have a new nature (mind of Christ)—our new mind now disagrees with the flesh!; but our flesh is still flesh. So then, post conversion, we have a battle between our new mind and flesh. Our new heart/mind, due to having a new nature, truly wants to please Jesus. But, until we’re with Him in eternity, we’ll still always have the flesh with us that, by nature, seeks to please the flesh. We’ll battle until we are with the Lord!

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7:25 “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Left to ourselves we’re doomed. Cf. 7:18 (“in me nothing good dwells”). But, the good news is, we’re not left to ourselves! “Therefore” marks the likely coming out of the parenthesis of chapters 6 & 7 (yes, the parenthesis appears to be that big!) Paul seems to be reconnecting with chapter 5 where he began the parenthesis at, I think, 5:12; he does a quick restatement at 8:1(“Therefore…no condemnation”) and then moves on. Now review 5:12 & then start over at 5:18; 5:12 is not a complete sentence. It breaks off (note dash)—hence the view of many that chapters 6 & 7 are parenthetical. So, when Paul picks up main thought at 8:1, he restates justification (which he left off at the end of ch. 5). But then, finally(!) Paul will offer help to avoid sin as he will switch the subject from justification to sanctification (= the process of being set apart for Jesus). Chapter 8 Notes & Commentary: The Holy Spirit is mentioned twenty times in chapter 8! (prior to this there were only four passing references); e.g. 7:6. Help is on the way! 8:1-4 A verse that all Christians ought to memorize: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The first key to successfully living for Jesus and avoiding bondage to sin is to never forget—especially after sinning—that all Christians are free from “condemnation”! So, practically, we need not dwell upon past failures. Like the sinful woman at the well that Jesus, in essence, made into the first missionary, He wants us to move forward and focus on being “in Christ Jesus”!! We are “set free” to live in the power of being forgiven—our sin record has been paid for! Being “free from law of sin and death” (8:2) does not mean we’re protected from ever falling/sinning; it means we have success as we walk in the Spirit. “Walk[ing] according to the Spirit” means one step at a time. And, as with actual walking, even when we get good at it, the law of gravity still exists (like our sin nature) and, therefore, we will still stumble & fall at times. But the good news is that there is a more powerful law in play now (the Holy Spirit!). (Note different uses & meanings of Paul’s use of “law” in Romans (see NASB study notes) or footnote1). “Walking” is a great metaphor for following Christ. It’s one step at a time. We never cross a threshold and go on cruise control (& never fall) until eternity. The Flesh & Satan are eager to trip us up! And, walking means we’re trying to go somewhere. We can either be Spirit-directed or just wandering. 8:5-7 “according…” suggests choices (cf. Gal. 5:25). So, what is my mind set on? What’s my focus? 8:8 (“those who are in the flesh cannot please God” = not born again). Calvinists see this as support for “Total Depravity/inability.” They argue that the “unregenerate cannot even believe” without the Holy Spirit causing belief. Related, they cite Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Non-Calvinists place more weight on the second part of the verse, claiming that a “reward” makes more sense if it is truly sought via free will and not by one who is predestined irresistibly to seek God. 1

Paul’s use of “law” in Romans: 1. A controlling power (8:2). 2. God’s law (2:17-20, 9:32 & 10:3-5). 3. The Pentateuch (3:21b. 4. The OT as a whole (3:19). 5. A principle (3:27). 6. Law of sin and death (7:8-12).

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Note the connection of “cannot please God” with “cannot be subject of law of God” in the previous verse. In contrast to an unbeliever who is in the flesh and thus lives for flesh (& thus does not live a life pleasing to to God), the Christian can please God because the he/she is in the Spirit. 8:10 How is “Christ in us” if He’s at right hand of God in heaven? (cf. Acts 3). He lives in us via His Spirit. Critically, it’s not so much that “Christ lives in me” but I live in Christ. 8:11 Is Paul hinting here at the topic of ultimate resurrection (as at 8:23?). We’re not sure. For sure, though, we are not under debt to sin/flesh, but are free in new life in the Spirit! (cf. 2 Cor. 4:16 which reveals that our “outward man” & “inner man” are being renewed day by day! (= sanctification). So, how can we be “putting to death the deeds of the body”? Flee from them and focus on “things above” (Col. 3) and Jesus! Denying access to evil temptations and controlling our our environment as best we can are keys to success. 8:14 What does “led by the Spirit” mean? Essentially: • • • • • • • •

follow & live by the Word “putting to death the deeds of the body” (see above) remain in Christ’s Body (church) wise counsel (this accesses us to Christ’s Body) special revelation (very rare); e.g. Paul prevented from going to certain places (Asia). “check in one’s spirit” or peace/or lack of peace dreams (much more common in the Muslim world than in the west presently) “everyday life” in simply following Jesus (feeling the supernatural isn’t the norm)

8:14-17 Even if we don’t sense it, if we are a “son” / daughter of God, we “are being led by the Spirit”! Remember too that the parent-child relationship not dependent on the child’s behavior. The talk of “children” emphasizes that kids are precious and, that they are to obey their parents. “Abba! Father” is very endearing (& natural in light of context)! Cf. Gal. 4:4-5 - “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons (& daughters).” Adoption in antiquity was primarily a means to carry on the family name, purpose & legacy of the father! And, discipline is done to those who are actual kids, whether naturally born or adopted. Are we “heirs” of God Himself or of His stuff? Both. Since we’re in Christ and, He ultimately “possesses the whole earth” (Ps. 2), it would seem to be the case that we join Him in stewarding His possessions to a degree (cf. also Mt. 5:5 for those who “inherit the earth”). Revelation 22:3-5 reveals that we will “serve” and “reign” with Christ in eternity! Note the conditional: “if” we suffer with Him. Some Christians never really do suffer due to fortunate life situations, so this is not an absolute. Also, those who come to Christ via death bed conversions don’t suffer. 1 Peter 4:12 indicates that trials are not “strange” but part of normal Christianity. 8:19 Though we experience joy in Christ in the here and now, due to living in a sin-damaged creation, things are not as they ought to be. So, we experience “longing” for all things being set right. It seems to be the case that once we’re in eternity we’ll be freed from wanting to live in sin (sin nature). So, our “free will” will only freely want and choose obedience & in accordance to God’s will. Adam & Eve obviously had the free will to chose obedience or sin. So when tempted, their imperfect nature was 4

vulnerable and, they succumbed. We, in eternity, will have neither a satanic tempter nor vulnerable wills/ natures because, again, the sin nature will be eradicated. 8:20-24 Along with our longing, even “creation groans” as it awaits being “set free from slavery to corruption.” This suggests that nature is greatly damaged. Since in the new heaven and new earth “death” & the “curse” (Rev. 21) will be no more, this suggests an end of “nature red in tooth & claw” and great geological disasters. Interestingly, Paul does not seem to have a “premillennial eschatology”2 in view here when he says that we are “waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” Instead of a future “1000 year Millennium” (Rev. 20-1-10) that precedes eternity, Paul simply mentions that we and nature are looking forward to the eternal state following the present age. 
 —Paul’s apparent sequence: We experience transformation of bodies at Christ’s second coming and creation is redeemed from it’s “groaning.”; Eternity ensues. So then, this would mean that the “millennium” is figurative / symbolic of the Church Age. —Premillennial sequence: We experience transformation of our bodies at the second coming. Creation is mostly transformed in a literal Millennium (Isa. 11 still involves death even though great blessing is in play). Christians with glorified bodies co-mingle with people born in the Millennium who are not yet in transformed bodies. Creation and all in Christ at the end of the literal 1000 years are fully transformed. Eternity then ensues. 8:26 Some see “speaking in tongues” here, but it’s not clear. Perhaps our “groans” mentioned earlier are in view. 8:28 “All things work together…” is a truism and yet this context suggests “all things…” in the midst of suffering is in view. (So Paul saying that “all (these) things that (he’s been discussing) work together in context. But it makes sense, in light of all Scripture that God will be sure to accomplish “the summing up of all things in Christ” (Eph. 1:9-10) putting every thing in its place and everyone in his/her place. Many (especially Calvinists) refer to this as “The Golden Chain of Salvation” (“Predestined…Justified… Glorified”). This has resulted in many debatable beliefs among Christians and just as many questions! For example: • • • • •

Once in the process, you can’t (or won’t) go back / “lose it”, say Calvinists & TLC’s doctrinal statement. Or is it: God foreknew that He has “predestined” the fact that “whoever will” will indeed be saved? So then, God foreknows that He will save those who follow Christ. How does “many called but few are chosen” (Mt. 22:14) relate to this? Contra Calvinism, why does God “call” many but only “choose[s]” a few? Contra Arminianism, how is one saved if he/she is not “chosen”? What does “glorified” mean? Paul sees us (at Eph. 2:6) as glorified in the sense that believers are “seated… in Christ Jesus” in some fashion already (even though not fully of course). Either way, most think Calvinism better interprets these particular texts.

8:31-39 A sort of summation of Paul’s whole argument…

2 “Premillennialism”

argues that the eternal state does not occur next in history. The view states that Jesus will return before or “pre” a 1000 year “millennium” period in which He will establish a literal 1000 year reign on earth with Jerusalem as His capital. Other than the only passage in the Bible that mentions the “thousand years” (Rev. 20:1-10), the “golden age” passages of the OT are believed to be about the 1000 year period too (e.g Isa. 11, 65 & 66). At the end of this “Millennium,” a final & last battle occurs at which Satan & all those with him are doomed & judged. Eternity then follows.

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8:35-37 No matter what believers face, God’s love is indomitable! Moreover, as history corroborates, even when God’s “SHEEP…[ARE]…SLAUGHTERED,” God’s purposes are advanced and His children “overwhelmingly conquer”!! (e.g., Joseph sold into slavery; Jesus & the crucifixion). Earlier the Holy Spirit is said to be making intercession for us (v. 27), and now Jesus is doing so on our behalf(!), like a high priest as in the book of Hebrews. Note that “all these things” mentioned (that we would fear might threaten us and our relationship to Christ) are external threats. And God will not allow any such threats to pull us away from Him! But many denominations argue that there’s no mention of internal challenges (like apostasy, which is found in the Bible). Therefore, they argue, this is not teaching “once saved always saved.” So then, is Paul encouraging those who don’t want to fall away by saying “Don’t worry…nothing external can take you away!?” And does this exhortation include internal threats too? (cf. Jn 6:52-71; Rom. 11:17-24; 2 Tim. 2:11-13). Are all believers themselves included in what is meant by “created thing[s]” and therefore we are inoculated by God’s power from departing from Christ by our own devices? Or, is knowing Christ like Paul’s earlier marriage illustration—God will never stop loving us, leave us nor allow any external entity from pulling us out of His hand, but what if we, like some spouses, depart from the marriage due to our own internal choices? Either way, all agree and can say with confident assurance that as long as we’re abiding in Christ, we’re guaranteed to remain in Him! (e.g. Jn. 6:39, 15:1-11; Rom. 8:29).

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