Does the struggle Paul described in Romans 7:14-25 picture the experience of an unsaved person or a Christian?
Arguments for the unsaved view | |||
Pro | Con | ||
1. | This was the most popular view among the early church fathers. | Other views held by the fathers have since proved false. | |
2. | The terminology “of flesh” or “unspiritual,” and “sold into bondage to sin” or “sold as a slave to sin” (v. 14) fits an unbeliever better than a Christian. | These are appropriate terms to use in describing the Christian’s relationship to his or her sinful human nature. | |
3. | If 7:14-25 describes Christians, it conflicts with how Paul described them in 6:3. | Two different relationships of the Christian are in view in these two passages. In chapter 6 our relationship to sin is in view, but in chapter 7 it is our relationship to our human nature. | |
4. | 8:1 marks a change from dealing with the unsaved to the saved condition. | 8:1 marks a transition from the domination of the sinful human nature to deliverance through Jesus Christ. | |
5. | The absence of references to the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, except in v. 25, shows that an unsaved person is in view here. | Paul’s argument did not require these references since the conflict in view is between the law and the flesh (human nature). | |
Arguments for the saved view | |||
Pro | Con | ||
1. | Augustine and the Reformers held this view. | Older support by the church fathers favors the other view. | |
2. | The change from past tense in 7:7-13 to present tense in 7:14-25 indicates that verses14-25 describe Paul’s post-conversion experience. | Paul used the present tense in verses 14-25 for vividness of expression. | |
3. | If Paul described his pre-Christian life here, he contradicted what he said of it in Philippians 3:6. | In Philippians 3 Paul described his standing before other people, but here he described his relationship to God. | |
4. | The argument of the epistle proceeds from justification (chs. 3—5) to sanctification (chs.6—8). | In chapter 6 Paul also referred to preconversion experience (vv. 6, 8). | |
5. | The conflict is true to Christian experience. | It is only apparently characteristic of Christian experience since the Christian is dead to sin. | |
6. | The last part of verse 25 implies that this conflict continues after one acknowledges that deliverance comes through Jesus Christ. | The end of verse 25 is only a final summary statement. |
I believe the evidence for the saved view is stronger, as do many others.
(NET – Constable`s Notes, Romans 7:14-25)
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