Romans 7 – question 1
Understanding Sin as an Inner Force
In Romans 7:13-25, Paul presents Sin not merely as an act of disobedience to God’s commandments, but as an inner force rooted in the flesh, or human nature. Here’s an analysis to clarify these tensions and nuances, considering the broader biblical context.
Sin as an Inner Force Tied to the Flesh
In these verses, Paul shifts his focus from individual sinful actions to the underlying power of sin, an inner force residing in the flesh and opposing God’s law. This can be explained as follows:
- The flesh as sin’s dwelling place: Paul states, « Sin dwells in me » (vv. 17, 20). In Pauline language, the flesh does not merely refer to the physical body but to the fallen human nature, corrupted by Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12). It is the seat of desires and inclinations contrary to God.
- An active and manipulative force: Sin uses the law to produce death (v. 13). This demonstrates that the problem lies not in the law, which is holy, but in how sin exploits it to awaken rebellious desires (cf. vv. 8-9).
- An inner conflict: The believer recognizes the goodness of God’s law (v. 22), yet experiences the ongoing struggle of the flesh’s power, producing a battle between the desire to do good and the inability to carry it out (vv. 15-19).
In summary, Paul describes sin as an enslaving power rooted in the fallen nature, actively opposing God’s will.
The Nature of Humanity Before and After the Fall
To understand this conflict, it is helpful to compare the human nature before and after the fall:
Before the Fall (Genesis 1–2)
- Humanity was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), with a pure, sinless nature.
- People had the capacity to know, love, and obey God freely.
- Their desires were naturally oriented toward God.
After the Fall (Genesis 3)
- Disobedience introduced inner corruption (Genesis 3:6-7). Human nature became enslaved to sin (Romans 5:12).
- People became inclined to rebel against God. Their desires turned away from God toward self-centeredness.
- Spiritual death, a consequence of the fall, separated humanity from God, affecting every dimension: intellectual, emotional, and physical.
Thus, the fallen human nature is characterized by the domination of sin, using the flesh to produce works contrary to God’s will.
Why Does Paul Say, « When We Were in the Flesh » ?
The phrase « in the flesh » in verse 5 refers to living under the rule of the flesh, i.e., the sinful nature without the transformative power of the Spirit. For the believer, this domination has ended at conversion:
- Romans 6:6: « Our old self was crucified with Him. » This indicates that the believer’s relationship to the flesh has fundamentally changed. The flesh is no longer our master.
- Romans 8:9: « You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. » To be « in the Spirit » means to live under the Spirit’s authority, not the domination of sin.
However, this does not mean the believer is entirely free from the flesh:
- Romans 7:25: Paul admits that, while he serves God with his mind, he still struggles against sin in his flesh.
- The believer lives in tension: freed from sin’s reign but still influenced by the flesh, awaiting full Redemption (Romans 8:23).
How Can These Tensions Be Reconciled ?
The tension between Romans 7:5 (« when we were in the flesh ») and Romans 7:25 (« I serve the law of sin with my flesh ») can be understood as follows:
- Before conversion: Humanity is completely dominated by the flesh, enslaved to sin, and incapable of pleasing God (Romans 8:8).
- After conversion: The believer is freed from this domination (Romans 6:14) but continues to struggle with the flesh, as sin’s presence remains until glorification (Romans 8:23).
In other words, being « in the flesh » refers to a condition of living under sin’s control. The believer is no longer « in the flesh » in this sense but still experiences the active influence of the flesh, necessitating daily struggle and dependence on God.
Practical Application
For today’s believer, this passage provides several points of reflection and encouragement:
- Recognize the struggle as normal: The tension Paul describes is common to all believers. It shows that conversion does not eliminate the struggle with sin, but it guarantees final victory in Christ.
- Rely on the Spirit: The solution to the inner conflict is not human effort but the power of the Spirit, as Paul will explain in Romans 8.
- Keep your eyes on deliverance: Complete victory over the flesh will come in glorification when believers are fully transformed into Christ’s image.
Conclusion
Paul presents sin as an active inner force tied to fallen human nature. While the believer is no longer « in the flesh » in terms of living under its control, the influence of the flesh remains a daily reality. This tension is a call to rely on God’s Grace and the Spirit’s power to live in newness of life.