None of the above! At least not directly. Let me explain.
I am convinced that this question ("Who is Romans 7 about?"), despite its popularity, is the wrong question to use to begin understanding this text. A much better starting point is to ask, "WHAT is Romans 7 about?" The answer are is clear: "The Law--it's nature, effect, and intended function."
This becomes abundantly evident when one examines what questions are preoccuppying Paul (not us!) in this chapter:
1) In v. 7 he asks: "Is the law sin(ful)?" Answer: "No! It is holy, but sin mis-uses it."
2) In v. 13 he asks: "Does the law cause death?" Answer: "No! Sin does."
Then, after having said what the law is NOT and what it does NOT do, in vv. 14-23 he goes on to summarize what it DOES: the effect of the Law in the life of ANYONE who is trying to fulfil its requirements in the power of the flesh. This passage demonstrates in the life of an individual "I" the role of Law as schoolmaster that brings us to Christ (vv. 24-25; cf. Gal 3:19-27). The focus is on the Law, not on the question of the identity of the person presented as "I."
I conclude, therefore, that the "I" is an editorial "I," refering to anyone who tries to fulfil the Law in the power of the flesh. This, in answer to the poll question, I would suggest "All of the above," with the LEAST likely (by God's grace!) being the "Mature Christian." A mature Christian is not characterized by living in the flesh (despite being very aware of fleshly lapses when they do occur)--see Paul's clear-conscience testimony of victorious living in multiple other NT passages, as well as 1 John's confident exhortations. Rather, a mature Christian is characterized by living in the Spirit--as Romans 8 immediately proceeds to describe in direct contrast to the sad picture of Romans 7.
How could this passage possibly be designed to describe the mature Christian? Surely Paul was the consummate mature Christian, and in no other passage does he suggest that he lives a life characterized by defeat and sin. Less than a year after writing Romans he said “I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day” (Acts 23:1; cf. 1 Cor 4:4; Acts 20:26-27, 33-36; 24:16; 25:8; Phil 1:20; 2 Tim 3:3).
Rather than allowing our own prior questions to drive our analysis and interpretation of biblical texts, how much better to listen to the questions driving the inspired authors. Doing so could prevent reams of well-intentioned but misguided commentary on Romans 7 and help us to grasp the freedom offered in Romans 8.
Laurence Angell - 12 years ago
I think that Paul was speaking figuratively about all humans and that is why I chose Adam. All humans, including myself, do things for which we are ashamed and wish we hadn't done them. I do not go around feeling guilty usually as I know that my mistakes are covered by Jesus Messiah's faithfulness and obedience to His mission, and that this faithfulness resulted in His resurrection. Paul says that idolatry is the "biggie" sin leads to all others. What are my idols? That is what I have to struggle with. But everything is made OK by Jesus Messiah's obedience.
None of the above! At least not directly. Let me explain.
I am convinced that this question ("Who is Romans 7 about?"), despite its popularity, is the wrong question to use to begin understanding this text. A much better starting point is to ask, "WHAT is Romans 7 about?" The answer are is clear: "The Law--it's nature, effect, and intended function."
This becomes abundantly evident when one examines what questions are preoccuppying Paul (not us!) in this chapter:
1) In v. 7 he asks: "Is the law sin(ful)?" Answer: "No! It is holy, but sin mis-uses it."
2) In v. 13 he asks: "Does the law cause death?" Answer: "No! Sin does."
Then, after having said what the law is NOT and what it does NOT do, in vv. 14-23 he goes on to summarize what it DOES: the effect of the Law in the life of ANYONE who is trying to fulfil its requirements in the power of the flesh. This passage demonstrates in the life of an individual "I" the role of Law as schoolmaster that brings us to Christ (vv. 24-25; cf. Gal 3:19-27). The focus is on the Law, not on the question of the identity of the person presented as "I."
I conclude, therefore, that the "I" is an editorial "I," refering to anyone who tries to fulfil the Law in the power of the flesh. This, in answer to the poll question, I would suggest "All of the above," with the LEAST likely (by God's grace!) being the "Mature Christian." A mature Christian is not characterized by living in the flesh (despite being very aware of fleshly lapses when they do occur)--see Paul's clear-conscience testimony of victorious living in multiple other NT passages, as well as 1 John's confident exhortations. Rather, a mature Christian is characterized by living in the Spirit--as Romans 8 immediately proceeds to describe in direct contrast to the sad picture of Romans 7.
How could this passage possibly be designed to describe the mature Christian? Surely Paul was the consummate mature Christian, and in no other passage does he suggest that he lives a life characterized by defeat and sin. Less than a year after writing Romans he said “I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day” (Acts 23:1; cf. 1 Cor 4:4; Acts 20:26-27, 33-36; 24:16; 25:8; Phil 1:20; 2 Tim 3:3).
Rather than allowing our own prior questions to drive our analysis and interpretation of biblical texts, how much better to listen to the questions driving the inspired authors. Doing so could prevent reams of well-intentioned but misguided commentary on Romans 7 and help us to grasp the freedom offered in Romans 8.
I think that Paul was speaking figuratively about all humans and that is why I chose Adam. All humans, including myself, do things for which we are ashamed and wish we hadn't done them. I do not go around feeling guilty usually as I know that my mistakes are covered by Jesus Messiah's faithfulness and obedience to His mission, and that this faithfulness resulted in His resurrection. Paul says that idolatry is the "biggie" sin leads to all others. What are my idols? That is what I have to struggle with. But everything is made OK by Jesus Messiah's obedience.