What does Romans 7:21 mean?

Explanation

Romans 7:21 is a verse that captures the Apostle Paul's internal struggle between his desire to do good and the presence of evil within him.

In a broader sense, it reflects the human condition and the internal conflict that believers face between their spiritual aspirations and their earthly nature.

The verse can be taken both literally, as a personal confession of Paul's struggle, and more deeply as an exposition of the Christian doctrine of sin and sanctification. The tension Paul describes is not just an isolated personal experience but a universal battle experienced by all Christians.

Historical Context

The Book of Romans was written by Paul around A.D. 57 while he was in Corinth.

He was writing to the church in Rome, which had both Jewish and Gentile believers.

At that time, the early Christians were learning to understand Jesus' teachings and how the law of Moses was to be interpreted in light of the gospel.

Paul is dealing with issues such as sin, law, and grace.

In the context of Romans 7, Paul is discussing the role of the law and is making a case that while the law is holy and righteous, it also makes individuals aware of their sinful nature, which in turn causes an internal struggle.

Theological Insights

Romans 7:21 has been interpreted differently among various theological perspectives:

• Traditional Calvinist views see this verse as describing the ongoing struggle that regenerated believers have with their inherent sinfulness, even after conversion.
• Arminian theology may emphasize the believer's responsibility to resist sin by relying on God's grace through faith and the enabling of the Holy Spirit.
• Lutheran interpretations often understand this tension as the struggle between the "old Adam" and the "new man," highlighting that believers are simultaneously righteous and sinful.
• Catholic theology might read this within the context of concupiscence, which is the inclination to sin that remains even after baptism, suggesting the need for continual repentance and reliance upon sacramental grace.

Practical Applications

Romans 7:21 can be applied in several ways:

• It reminds us to be vigilant and humble, acknowledging that the propensity to sin is still within us, even as believers.
• This verse can provide comfort to those who struggle with sin by showing that such struggles were also experienced by someone as devoted as Paul.
• It encourages believers to rely not on their strength but on the grace of God for sanctification.
• It serves as a call to persevere in the Christian walk, recognizing that the presence of sin is a reality that requires ongoing spiritual warfare.

Cross-References

• Galatians 5:17 - "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
• 1 John 1:8 - "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
• Romans 7:15 - "For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I."

Language Study

The Greek word for "law" (νόμος, nomos) in this verse refers to a principle or rule. Paul uses it in a way that personifies the law, showing that it has a type of agency or effect upon him.

The term for "evil" (κακός, kakos) can mean bad, harmful, or morally evil. The language underscores the systemic nature of evil and its tendency to persist despite one's intentions.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient myths and religious interpretations, there is often an acknowledgement of the dual nature of humanity's capacity for good and evil:

• In the philosophy of Zoroastrianism, there is a cosmic struggle between truth and lie, mirrored in human behavior.
• Greek mythology often shows gods and heroes struggling with their virtues and vices, displaying the complexity of the human psyche.

These comparisons can shed light on how the struggle between good and evil is a common thread in human self-understanding across different cultures and religions.

Scientific Perspectives

From a psychological and neuroscientific perspective, the tension between desire and moral behavior could be seen as the interplay between different systems within the human brain, the immediate gratification sought by more primitive brain systems and the controlled, ethical actions guided by the more developed prefrontal cortex.

The verse's depiction of conflicting internal forces can be related to contemporary understandings of cognitive dissonance and behavioral conditioning.

Commentaries

Different experts and biblical commentators have various interpretations of Romans 7:21:

• John Wesley commented that the law Paul refers to could mean a rule of action which is present, though it does not prevail.
• Matthew Henry saw this verse as proof of the need for Christians to groan for deliverance from the body of death.
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Bruce suggested that the "law" that Paul finds at this point is another way of saying "a regular principle of action."

Commentaries serve to provide insights and deepen our understanding of the verse, reflecting the myriad ways that this internal conflict has been understood throughout Christian history.