For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
Truth to Learn
For Christians, obeying God’s law is delightful, not onerous.
Behind the Words
The word translated here as “I delight in” is sunēdomai, which only occurs in this one place in the New Testament. It is a compound word made up of sun, meaning “with” or “together with” and a form of hēdomai, meaning “to be pleased” or “to rejoice.” So, we see that this word means “to be pleased with” or “to have delight in something.” Paul actually finds delight, that is, inward pleasure, when he obeys the Law of God.
“Inward” is from the Greek word esō, which is a form of eis, meaning “into.” It refers that which is already on the inside.
Meaning Explained
Paul said back in verse twelve that the Law is Holy and that the commandments that make up the law are holy, just, and good. Now he is saying that he actually finds pleasure in the Law. This is an obvious indication that Paul is “born-again,” for without this conversion a man cannot find pleasure in obeying God’s Law.
King David expressed a similar sentiment in Psalms 1:
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalms 1:1-2)
The law of God is not something that Christians should be afraid of; it should be a source of joy for us in our innermost being. Paul refers to this innermost being as “the inward man.” Here’s what Albert Barnes said about this expression in his Notes on the Bible:
The expression “the inward man” is used sometimes to denote the rational part of man as opposed to the sensual; sometimes the mind as opposed to the body (compare 2Co 4:16; 1Pe 3:4). It is thus used by the Greek classic writers. Here it is used evidently in opposition to a carnal and corrupt nature; to the evil passions and desires of the soul in an unrenewed state; to what is called elsewhere “the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” (Eph 4:22). The “inward man” is called elsewhere “the new man” (Eph 4:24); and denotes not the mere intellect, or conscience, but is a personification of the principles of action by which a Christian is governed; the new nature; the holy disposition; the inclination of the heart that is renewed.
So, Paul is saying that he finds inward, intellectual pleasure in obeying God’s Law because of the regenerated spiritual life that God has given him. Unfortunately, as we will see in the next verse, the “old man” is still with us as well and it is in a constant battle with this “new man.”
Application
As we said, the law of God is not something that Christians should fear, but we also know that obeying it does not make us holy or righteous. We should feel good when we are obedient to God, but we should also recognize that our sin nature will cause us to break God’s law. Thank God for confession and for His grace!
In God's service, for His glory,
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