Romans 7:14-25 has been the subject of much debate among Bible scholars regarding whether this passage is describing a believer or an unbeliever. Let’s take a close look at the text and examine the evidence on both sides of this issue.
The Passage in Context
First, it’s important to understand the broader context of Romans chapter 7. The apostle Paul has been explaining the relationship between the law and sin. He explains that the law actually stirs up sinful desires in people (Romans 7:5). The law is not itself sinful but reveals sin for what it is (Romans 7:7). Paul describes his own personal struggle with sin even as someone who delights in God’s law (Romans 7:14-25).
Here is Romans 7:14-25 in the English Standard Version (ESV):
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
The Case for an Unbeliever
Some interpreters argue that this passage describes Paul’s condition prior to his conversion to Christ. Before meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul (then Saul) was a zealous Pharisee who strictly adhered to the Mosaic Law (Philippians 3:5-6). However, he struggled with sin and coveting despite his best efforts to obey the law (Romans 7:7-13). This futile struggle with indwelling sin led him to cry out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me?” (Romans 7:24). According to this view, Paul is reflecting back on his pre-conversion experience of trying to gain righteousness through the law.
Several details in the passage seem to support this interpretation:
- Paul describes being “sold under sin” (v. 14) and a “captive to the law of sin” (v. 23), which seems to describe an unconverted state.
- “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh” (v.18) appears to reflect a non-Christian condition.
- The repeated refrain of “I do what I do not want” and “I do not do the good I want” (vv. 15, 19) indicates an inability to obey God’s laws.
- Crying out “Wretched man that I am!” (v. 24) suggests that Paul has not yet experienced deliverance through Christ.
In summary, proponents of the unbeliever view claim this passage uses present tense language to retrospectively describe Paul’s hopeless condition under the law as a Pharisee before meeting Christ.
The Case for a Believer
On the other side, many interpreters argue that Romans 7:14-25 describes Paul’s ongoing internal struggle with sin as a believer in Christ. According to this perspective, Paul is not talking about his past life but his current experience as a Christian.
There are several reasons for taking this view:
- The passage uses present tense verbs like “I do not understand” and “I do not do” rather than past tense, suggesting an ongoing struggle.
- Paul says “For I delight in the law of God” (v. 22), something unlikely for an unbeliever.
- “I myself serve the law of God with my mind” (v. 25) indicates desire to obey God’s law.
- Earlier in Romans, Paul describes Christians as those who have “died to sin” (Romans 6:2), not those still enslaved to it.
- The solution Paul points to is “Jesus Christ our Lord” (v. 25), not a future conversion experience.
In summary, those who hold the believer view claim Paul is being transparent about the real spiritual tension believers face. Though redeemed in Christ, Christians still wrestle with sinful flesh that wars against the Spirit.
Key Considerations
When weighing these two perspectives, here are some key factors to consider:
- Wider context of Romans – Paul has just finished describing the believer’s death to sin and new life in Christ (Romans 6). This informs how we read chapter 7.
- Tense of verbs – The present tense verbs suggest ongoing struggle rather than only past experience.
- Solution is Christ – Paul finds hope in “Jesus Christ our Lord” (7:25), not in some future conversion.
- Honest portrayal – Paul is giving an transparent account of the Christian struggle with sin.
- Growth process – Believers do not become sinlessly perfect overnight but slowly grow in holiness.
Taking these factors into account, there is a strong case that this passage is primarily depicting Paul’s life as a Christian. However, that does not mean believers cannot relate to the experiences described here even prior to conversion.
A Middle Perspective
Some interpreters take a mediating position between the unbeliever and believer views. They argue that while Romans 7:14-25 can apply to some extent to non-Christians, the primary reference is to the ongoing struggles believers face.
Supporters of this middle perspective point out:
- Unbelievers can relate to frustration with failure to obey God’s laws.
- However, specific details like delighting in God’s law point more to a believer’s experience.
- Paul is likely using his own experience as a believer to illustrate a key theological truth.
- There is some fluidity between the pre- and post-conversion life.
So from this mediating view, Paul is not narrowly focused on either his past or present experience but appealing more generally to the human struggle with sin to teach profound spiritual truths.
Practical Implications
How we interpret this passage also impacts how we apply its message in our lives. Here are some key practical implications:
- If depicting a believer, it gives hope to Christians struggling with sinful tendencies even after salvation.
- It emphasizes the inner conflict and warfare happening inside believers.
- Sanctification and growth in godliness is a process that takes time and perseverance.
- The solution to the struggle is divine empowerment through Christ and His Spirit.
- Attaining sinless perfection is not immediately possible, so we must depend daily on Christ.
In summary, this passage offers great encouragement, reminding believers that victory over sin comes not through self-effort but reliance on the power of the indwelling Christ. He alone can deliver us from the hopeless condition described here.
Conclusion
In analyzing Romans 7:14-25, good cases can be made for the unbeliever, believer, and mediating perspectives. However, when considering the context of Romans, the present tense verbs, and the focus on Christ as the solution, there are compelling reasons to see this passage as primarily depicting the believer’s struggle with ongoing sin. Though not experiencing sinless perfection yet, Christians can have hope that Jesus Christ will complete His deliverance and sanctification in their lives. This passage offers great comfort and reassurance for all those united to Christ by faith.