For the good that I determine to do, I do not do; but the evil I determine to not do, that I practice. Truth to Learn Overcoming our enemy, our sin nature, is not ours to do. Behind the Words Back in verse sixteen we looked at the word...
Romans 7:17 – Victory Through Surrender
But now, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that is living in me. Truth to Learn There is a battle going on within us that requires surrender. Behind the Words The word translated “living” is the Greek word oikeō, which is a participial form of...
Romans 7:18 – Surrender is the Key
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but to perform what is good is not. Truth to Learn We can’t work, or fight, our way to victory as a Christian. Behind the Words The word...
Romans 7:16 – Encouragement in Defeat
If, then, I do what I determine not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. Truth to Learn Our battle against our sin nature is evidence that we are saved. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “determine” is thelō, which is often translated as...
Romans 7:15 – That Thing You Do
For the thing I do, I do not understand. For what I determine to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. Truth to Learn Paul battled his sin nature just as you and I do. Behind the Words The words “the thing I...
Romans 7:14 – Flesh Versus Spirit
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, having been sold by sin. Truth to Learn There is a constant battle between our flesh and our spirit. Behind the Words The word translated “spiritual” is the Greek word pneumatikos, which means “that which pertains to...
Romans 7:13 – Sinfulness Revealed
Did that which is good, then, become death to me? No way! But sin, that it might appear sinful, was producing death in me through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful. Truth to Learn The Law reveals our sinfulness to the fullest...
Romans 7:12 – The Holy Law
So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. Truth to Learn The Law and its commandments are holy, but we are sinful. Behind the Words “Law” is translated from the Greek word nomos, which we saw in the last chapter is the...
Romans 7:11 – Deception and Confession
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Truth to Learn Sin is deceptive and causes separation between us and God. Behind the Words “Taking occasion” is translated from aphormē. This is a compound word made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away...
Romans 7:10 – The Deadly Law
And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. Truth to Learn The Law is supposed to bring life, but it only brings death. Behind the Words The word translated “found” is heuriskō, which means “to find, by having searched or without searching. Metaphorically, it...