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 The
exegetes and commentators have a field day with Rom. 7: and Paul’s
inner struggle. Is this the regenerate or unregenerate Paul?
Context indicates that one’s struggle against sin continues,
regardless of regeneration. Paul had to “buffet” his body,
“lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I
myself should be rejected” (1 Cor. 9:27). Dominion of sin was
broken, as respects the curse of “law” (Rom. 6:14, Gal .
3:10f); but sin continues to enslave and “reign” in those
who yield their members to unrighteousness (Rom. 6:12-13). WHY
is it so hard to overcome temptation? WHY has sin so great a
hold on us? Let us carefully study the enemy.
Paul
says, “I am carnal;” “sin dwells in me;” “in my flesh;”
“in my members” (Rom. 7:14, 17, 18, 23). Together, these
circumstances constitute the “law of sin” — that
observable norm or inclination of man to sin. Some tell us this
is inherited (genetically) from Adam, but guilt is not a genetic
trait. Each person is individually accountable for response to
the will of God (Ezek. 18:19-f). The consequences of sin are
upon us because we have sinned (Rom. 5:12). But there are
circumstances related to a mortal existence which provide Satan
with open doors and incline mankind toward sin.
FLESH
(literally) is not evil. The gnostics of the first century made
this mistake (1 Jn. 4:3) and we should not repeat it. But flesh
hungers, and this may be an avenue for Satan. When Jesus was
hungry he was tempted to turn stones into bread. Flesh seeks a
“comfort zone” (for self-preservation) and this can become a
pleasure seeking bent that gives Satan another door upon
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which to knock. Flesh is self-serving, and
this can be extended into sinful pride. (Study Matt. 4:1-11, 1
Jn. 2:16.) Flesh is not evil, per se, but its proclivity to sin
is such that “fleshly” often means sinful. It is strike one
on mankind.
Early
environment or BACKGROUND, to a great extent programs our later
life. God knew this earlier, and more accurately, than the
sociologists. Peter says the Lord redeems us “from the futile
way of living in which you were brought up” (Goodspeed, 1 Pet.
1:18). Meyer comments, “This attribute emphatically shows that
the vain conduct is peculiar, not to the individuals only, but
to the whole race, and has been from the earliest times, and
consequently is so completely master of the individual that he
can not free himself from it.” We were born into a world
cursed by sin — a climate that may be considered an immoral
primer. I believe this is that to which David referred, Psm.
51:5. Our background is strike two against us.
And
Paul wrote (Eph. 2:3) that we were “by nature.. .children of
wrath.” NATURE can refer, of course, to physical laws of
procreation, but it also has other meanings. In Rom. 2:14 it is
used for reason and conscience by which one develops a sense of
right or “ought.” It also refers to practices so general as
to be the norm for propriety. When Paul wrote, “Doth not even
nature itself teach you that if a man have long hair it is a
shame unto him?” he did not say physical nature would not grow
long hair on men. He meant general practice was such (continued
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