Wretched People That We Are

November 14th, 2024
by Dr. D. Lance Waldie

Nov 14, 2024

Dr. D. Lance Waldie

Romans 7:21-25 I find then the principle that in me evil is present—in me who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in my members, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a captive to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin (LSB).

In v. 21, Paul’s conclusion to the Christian’s inner struggle, between what he wants to do in order to serve Christ and what he truly does, which is contrary to what God desires, is summed up in four general principles. The first is the Law of God, the Mosaic Law, which Paul in his inner being “delights in,” for it is the rule of righteousness by which humans are rightly molded. The second is the principle of the regenerated mind that desires obedience to God’s Law. Third, there is the principle of evil that is always “present” when Christians desire to do right. This principle exercises dominion over all unbelievers, but it also greatly influences Christians, as Paul has already confessed and as all Christians can attest to. Fourth, there is the principle of the “members”—the lusts in which the human flesh indulges that are contrary to God’s Law. These members—the mind that lusts, the eyes that covet, the feet that run into evil—all wage war against the good intentions found in the hearts of Christians. “Waging war” means to “actively oppose”—an ongoing opposition that never ends and that, as a result, takes Christians “captive” to the law of sin that is in their members. This captivity is what Paul longs to be released from in death which will provide the final salvation from sin—from its very presence.

After concluding what he does about his captivity, Paul cries out, “Wretch man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?” (v. 24). As monumental a saint as Paul was, one must not miss his great honest humility concerning his weaknesses. He calls himself “wretched” (Gr. talaipōros)—of poor quality; miserable. Note that he is not miserable in his walk with Christ but in his struggle with sin. His desire to be delivered from “the body of this death” might be an allusion to an ancient tribe near Tarsus (Paul’s hometown) which tied the corpse of a murder victim to its murderer, allowing its spreading decay to slowly infect and execute the murderer. That would indeed be a body of death! But the deliverance he seeks is not one of eternal salvation, which he already possessed in Christ; instead, he longed for the “deliverance” (Gr. rhuomai) death would bring him—a term used for God in reference to rescuing from enemies, danger, persecutions, and temptations to sin (cf. Matt. 6:13; Rom. 11:26).

In v. 25 Paul answers his own question by giving thanks to God in the midst of his despair. Note that thanks to God is given “through Jesus Christ”—the one Mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5). Part two of v. 25 summarizes the two “I’s” of Paul and of all Christians. They inwardly desire to please God, but sin is always present when they do. Sinful lusts do not simply make their presence known; they use God’s Law as a base of operations to tempt unto sin. No wonder Romans 8 commences with a study of the Spirit which leads believers to final victory.

Food for Thought

As Christians we must assess ourselves accurately, measuring our actions and thoughts against what God has spoken in the written words of Scripture. You’ll find that you fall far short of His glory, as Paul did. But don’t be deluded, believing that by doing good things you are okay in God’s eyes. You’re not! Note Paul’s brokenness, remorse, and humility in light of his actions which fell short of God’s glory. The more clearly he saw God’s holiness, the more he recognized and grieved over his own sinfulness. Then he worshipped! May we do the same.