Chopper
Member
Traditionally, Pentecostals say unsaved. Traditionally Baptists say saved. Which one is right? I will try and defend that Paul was saved.
Paul presents himself with a double self in these verses. In vs 13, 14 Paul looks back to his unconverted life. Since Paul was a devout Pharisee, seeking to obey the Law before his conversion, it is easier to understand these verses. The clause, "sold under sin" (KJV) describes an unregenerate person; but sin also resides in a believer, who is still subject to sin's penalty. As a result, indwelling sin continues to seek to claim what it considers its property even after one has become a Christian. Paul is describing his experience as a believer at this time. (Warren Wiersbe)
We all have two natures: These two natures are at war within us. The believers mind, will, and body can be controlled either by the old nature or the new nature, either by the flesh or the Spirit. Paul cannot, in his own power, resist his indwelling sin nature. In and of himself repeatedly experiences defeat and frustration. Paul knew, as an unbeliever, that since he had a sinful nature, the Law is bound to arouse that nature.
The conflict here (vs 19,20) described between a self that desires to do good and a self that in spite of this does evil, cannot be the struggles between consciences and passions in the unsaved, because the description given of this "desire to do good" in 7:22 is certainly a saved person.
Larry Richards, "The teachers Commentary" says "What does it take for us to live victoriously? How do we experience the flow of the divine power? Paul's answer was simple, "sin shall not be your master, because you are not under Law, but under Grace". Paul throws his hands in the air and exclaims "Who will deliver me" no one other than Jesus Christ.
Praise God for Chapter eight! Our Hero is Jesus and the fact that He sent us His Spirit to live in us with His nature. Col. 2:5 "let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (KJV) is the answer. Chapter eight instructs us to be led by the Spirit! With the mind of Jesus and being led by the Spirit, we will live very fruitful lives to the glory of God.
Paul presents himself with a double self in these verses. In vs 13, 14 Paul looks back to his unconverted life. Since Paul was a devout Pharisee, seeking to obey the Law before his conversion, it is easier to understand these verses. The clause, "sold under sin" (KJV) describes an unregenerate person; but sin also resides in a believer, who is still subject to sin's penalty. As a result, indwelling sin continues to seek to claim what it considers its property even after one has become a Christian. Paul is describing his experience as a believer at this time. (Warren Wiersbe)
We all have two natures: These two natures are at war within us. The believers mind, will, and body can be controlled either by the old nature or the new nature, either by the flesh or the Spirit. Paul cannot, in his own power, resist his indwelling sin nature. In and of himself repeatedly experiences defeat and frustration. Paul knew, as an unbeliever, that since he had a sinful nature, the Law is bound to arouse that nature.
The conflict here (vs 19,20) described between a self that desires to do good and a self that in spite of this does evil, cannot be the struggles between consciences and passions in the unsaved, because the description given of this "desire to do good" in 7:22 is certainly a saved person.
Larry Richards, "The teachers Commentary" says "What does it take for us to live victoriously? How do we experience the flow of the divine power? Paul's answer was simple, "sin shall not be your master, because you are not under Law, but under Grace". Paul throws his hands in the air and exclaims "Who will deliver me" no one other than Jesus Christ.
Praise God for Chapter eight! Our Hero is Jesus and the fact that He sent us His Spirit to live in us with His nature. Col. 2:5 "let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (KJV) is the answer. Chapter eight instructs us to be led by the Spirit! With the mind of Jesus and being led by the Spirit, we will live very fruitful lives to the glory of God.