“14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold as a slave under sin. 15 For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me.”
There are two ways to interpret these verses 14-25, which is debated among Christians today and many take differing opinions on this question. Are these verses speaking of Paul before he was saved, or are they defining a struggle that is ongoing in Paul’s life after he was saved? The theme of Paul’s writing in chapters 6 and 7 is to say that those who are saved by faith in Christ must live lives that look like it, not because it saves us, but because we want to honor and obey the God who has saved us by His grace! That being said, it is not easy to practice what is good and abhor what is evil. Even a great apostle like Paul struggles with this the same way that we do. That is why I take the position that Paul, in these verses, is being very relatable, describing the difficulty that comes with the Christian walk.
Before moving on, it’s important to define a few terms that Paul uses. Paul refers to the law as being spiritual. What does this mean? In the context of Romans, Paul usually, when he refers to something as being “spiritual” or to “serve in the spirit”, means that it comes from the heart. That is, it comes out of our true longing and desire to be obedient to God. This, as opposed to its opposite, a rote following of the law, without emotion, without sincerity, and without regard for the honor, worship, and glory that is due the Father. What does it mean to serve or live in the Spirit? Don’t give into the desires of the flesh!
“I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.” — Galatians 5:16-17
What does it mean to be “of the flesh”? What are its desires? It is the will of the fallen, sinful self; a will that Christians must continually guard against.
“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things — as I warned you before — that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” — Galatians 5:19-21
Christians will not always have success in overcoming the flesh. Verses 15-25 tell of Paul’s own battles attempting to overcome these desires. He describes an all too familiar, every day battle that Christians have with sin.
Now for one last note: “So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me.” (v. 17) It’s no understatement to say that to keep from sinning and to live a righteous life is very difficult, but in this verse, is Paul releasing himself from responsibility for sin? We won’t answer this question today, but will address it in the next devotional which will cover Romans 7:18-20.