When Sin Dwells in You
Thinking about Romans 7:17.
But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. (Romans 7:17)
Paul had just described the frustration and failure that came from remaining under the Law.
The Law was good - but Paul and others could not keep it flawlessly. They eventually sinned and became sin’s captives. Sin’s power was demonstrated in this.
In stating his case in the most profound way, Paul showed the incredible power of sin to infiltrate and destroy. It was not a weak and pallid force, but rather a vicious and destroying energy capable of causing good people to make bad decisions. Even worse, it ensnared the Law in its force field. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 247
How could he get free from sin? It wasn’t through the Law!
What Paul is teaching is that he is judicially enslaved to Sin since he cannot carry-out by living-out what the holy Law demands [flawlessness] - McGuiggan, Romans, 216
It is a simple fact that without regeneration the sin continues to dwell in man, and he stands captivated, with no hope of release. This was exactly the condition of the Jew who was living under the law. - Wacaster, Studies in Romans, 268
Those who wanted to remain under the Law instead of being freed from it (Romans 7:1-4) chose to remain captive to sin - to allow sin to continue dwelling in them. By submitting themselves to the grace of God, they would be set free from sin.
It is at this point that scholars who hold to original sin speak to us of inherited sinful tendencies. We are told that Paul is speaking of that inherited sinfulness. The trouble with that is, Paul claims that the believer is freed from whatever he is now talking about (Romans 8:1-2) - McGuiggan, Romans, 216
I don’t think Paul is talking about himself as a Christian here in Romans 7. I think he is using himself to illustrate what the road looks like for those who decide to remain under the Law instead of dying to the Law through the body of Christ (Romans 7:4).
As McGuiggan points out, the Christian has been set free from the “law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2). Those who are buried with Christ in baptism have been freed from sin (Romans 6:7). Sin no longer reigns over the Christian (Romans 6:12-14).
Who does sin dwell in?
Those who have sinned and have not yet obeyed the gospel of Christ.
Those who have “fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4) have turned from God and returned to sin.
Sin does not dwell in the faithful child of God. Christ has set us free from sin.
The power of sin can lead even the best of us to make poor decisions. And while sin no longer reigns over those who have been set free through Christ, we are not immune to its temptations or effects.
Paul's use of himself as an example provides a clear picture of the struggle under the Law, a reminder to not only acknowledge my shortcomings but also to lean into God's grace even more. "Boasting in my weakness" has been a cornerstone verse that I try to repeat daily, because I need the reminder.
I like the imagery of sin no longer being able to dwell within us. The dwelling place has a new tenant, one that cannot be evicted. Great article and thank you for sharing!