The Romans 7 Dilemma pt. 2

So here we go. After spending much time in these two chapters, I'm of firm conviction that Romans 7:14-25 is Paul as a believer. And not just a believer, but a very godly one. The biggest stumbling block for me coming to this conclusion was chapter 6, so I'm going to talk a little bit about that chapter. Since it's not the main subject though, I'm only going to touch a little bit on it.

The main issue with this chapter is the conclusive language used by Paul. "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For the one who has died has been set free from sin." - Rom. 6:6-7. (More on that word "enslaved" later.) If this is true, how can Paul say in Rom. 7:14 - "For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, SOLD under sin."? Or Rom. 7:18 - "For I have the desire to do what is right, but NOT THE ABILITY to carry is out."? It sort of seems that Paul is contradicting himself. I think the answer to this is found in the context of why Paul was writing each chapter. In chapter 6, Paul is answering the question "Are we to sin that grace may abound?". Paul does this by explaining our standing in Christ, and then gives us the proper mind set to fight sin; "So you must also CONSIDER yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus." (By the way, I can't figure out how to italicize words, so I'll be capitalizing for emphasis.) Paul's answer to the question is H no! Then tells us why by explaining our position in Christ. Then tells us how to fight sin by meditating on our position.

In 7:14-25, his motive is different. In these verses he is defending the law as not being an instrument of death. Someone makes the accusation that it's the law that causes people to sin, thus bringing death. Paul desperately wants to clear this up because if that's true, then that's a blot on the character of God. So Paul goes into great detail to explain that it's the sin already in us that causes us to do evil. Sense the contexts of the two chapters are different, I don't think it's wise to use what's said in chapter 6 to define chapter 7. Also, the same difficulties that come up in chapter 7, are already brought up in chapter 6; "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions." - vs. 12. After 11 verses of explain our standing in Christ and that we're dead to sin, he goes on to warn us not to "LET sin reign in our mortal bodies", because the possibility is there. Understanding chapter 6 in it's context, i think, frees chapter 7 up to mean what it looks like it's saying....