Romans 7:14

KJV

¶ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} we know {G1492} that {G3754} the law {G3551} is {G2076} spiritual {G4152}: but {G1161} I {G1473} am {G1510} carnal {G4559}, sold {G4097} under {G5259} sin {G266}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For we know that the Torah is of the Spirit; but as for me, I am bound to the old nature, sold to sin as a slave.

Berean Standard Bible

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.

American Standard Version

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 7:14 stands as a profound declaration of the inherent tension between God's perfectly holy and spiritual Law and the fallen, "carnal" nature of humanity, which finds itself enslaved to the power of sin. This verse introduces the Apostle Paul's deeply personal and theological exploration of the ongoing struggle experienced by individuals, even believers, who desire to obey God's righteous standard but are confronted by the persistent pull and dominion of sin within.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical juncture within [Romans Chapter 7](/romans/7 "Romans Chapter 7 - The Law and Sin"), a passage where Paul meticulously clarifies the Law's role in the Christian life. In [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans Chapter 6 - Freedom from Sin"), Paul established that believers are no longer slaves to sin but have been set free through identification with Christ's death and resurrection. However, this raises a crucial question: if believers are free from sin's dominion, what then is the purpose or nature of the Law? Paul anticipates the potential misunderstanding that the Law itself might be the problem, or even sinful. He vehemently denies this, asserting that the Law is good and holy, but it serves to expose and amplify sin, making it "exceedingly sinful" ([Romans 7:13](/romans/7-13 "Romans 7:13 - The Law Reveals Sin")). Verse 14 then sets the stage for the intense internal conflict described in the subsequent verses ([Romans 7:15-25](/romans/7-15-25 "Romans 7:15-25 - The Inner Conflict")), where the "I" (whether representing humanity under the Law, the struggling believer, or both) experiences a profound inability to consistently fulfill the Law's righteous demands.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul, a former zealous Pharisee, possessed an intimate knowledge of the Mosaic Law and its central place in Jewish identity and piety. For centuries, the Law had been seen as God's covenant gift to Israel, a guide for righteous living and a means of distinguishing God's people. However, Paul's groundbreaking revelation of salvation by grace through faith in Christ challenged the prevailing understanding of how one achieved righteousness. In the Greco-Roman world, slavery was a pervasive social and economic reality, making the metaphor of being "sold under sin" powerfully resonant. The Roman church, a diverse community of Jewish and Gentile believers, would have wrestled with questions about the Law's continuing relevance and their identity in Christ. Paul's argument here is not merely abstract theology but addresses the lived experience of moral struggle and the profound shift from a works-based righteousness to a grace-based one, which was often misunderstood by both Jewish Christians clinging to the Law and Gentile Christians who might view the Law as irrelevant or even detrimental.
* **Key Themes:** Romans 7:14 contributes significantly to several overarching theological themes within Romans and Paul's broader theology. Firstly, it underscores **The Spirituality and Holiness of the Law**, affirming its divine origin and perfect nature as a reflection of God's character, despite humanity's inability to perfectly keep it. Secondly, it highlights **The Pervasiveness of Sin** and its deep-seated hold on human nature, even when the mind desires to do good. This verse portrays sin not merely as individual acts but as a powerful, enslaving force. Thirdly, it introduces the theme of **The Human Condition and Inability**, revealing the profound weakness and "carnality" of humanity when confronted with God's perfect standard. This inability is not a flaw in the Law but a fundamental aspect of the fallen human state, setting the stage for the ultimate solution found in Christ and the empowering work of the Spirit, as comprehensively detailed in [Romans Chapter 8](/romans/8 "Romans Chapter 8 - Life in the Spirit"). The tension between the spiritual Law and carnal humanity is a cornerstone of Paul's argument for the necessity of grace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **spiritual (Greek, _pneumatikós_):** From G4152, this term signifies something non-carnal, ethereal, or, in this divine context, supernatural, regenerate, and religious. When applied to the Law, it emphasizes its divine origin, its perfect alignment with God's holy character, and its capacity to reveal spiritual truths and standards. It is not a mere human construct or a set of external regulations, but an emanation of God's own Spirit and holiness.
* **carnal (Greek, _sarkikós_):** Derived from G4559, this word describes that which pertains to the flesh (_sarx_), implying not merely the physical body but the unregenerate human nature, which is inherently prone to sin and opposed to God's will. Paul uses this term to denote a state of being dominated by sinful inclinations, passions, and desires, contrasting sharply with the spiritual nature of the Law. It points to a fundamental orientation of the fallen self away from God.
* **sold (Greek, _pipráskō_):** From G4097, this verb means to traffic, to dispose of as merchandise, or, significantly, to sell into slavery. The perfect participle "sold" indicates a completed action with ongoing results, vividly portraying a state of bondage or servitude. This powerful metaphor illustrates that humanity, in its unredeemed state, is not merely committing sins but is fundamentally under the dominion and ownership of sin, unable to free itself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For we know that the law is spiritual:"** Paul begins with an appeal to common knowledge or a shared theological understanding ("we know"). He emphatically states that the Law (referring primarily to the Mosaic Law) is "spiritual." This affirms its divine origin, its inherent goodness, holiness, and its nature as a revelation of God's perfect character. It is not flawed; it is perfectly aligned with the Spirit of God. This clause counters any notion that the Law itself is the cause of sin or is inherently bad.
* **"but I am carnal,"** In stark contrast to the Law's spiritual nature, Paul introduces his own condition, "I am carnal." The conjunction "but" highlights the antithesis. This "I" represents humanity in its fallen state, characterized by _sarkikós_—a nature dominated by the flesh, meaning the sinful inclination that opposes God. This is a confession of human weakness and the pervasive influence of sin on one's being, even when acknowledging the Law's goodness.
* **"sold under sin."** This phrase powerfully describes the consequence of being "carnal." The imagery of being "sold" evokes slavery, indicating that the carnal "I" is not merely committing sins but is under the dominion, power, and ownership of sin itself. It implies an inherent inability to escape this bondage through one's own will or efforts, underscoring the desperate need for divine intervention and liberation from sin's tyrannical rule.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, sharply contrasting "the law is spiritual" with "but I am carnal." This juxtaposition highlights the fundamental incompatibility between God's perfect standard and humanity's fallen nature, setting up the core tension of the chapter. Furthermore, the phrase "sold under sin" is a powerful **Metaphor**, portraying sin not as an abstract concept but as a cruel slave master who has purchased and now owns the individual, rendering them helpless to escape its dominion. This **Personification** of sin as an active agent underscores its formidable power over the unredeemed human will. The use of "I" (ego) can also be seen as a form of **Synecdoche**, where Paul's personal experience stands for the universal human condition under the Law.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 7:14 serves as a crucial bridge, connecting the Law's revelation of sin to the desperate human need for salvation, which Paul will fully unveil in [Romans 8:1](/romans/8 "Romans 8:1 - Life in the Spirit"). It underscores the theological truth that while the Law is good and holy, it cannot justify or sanctify a fallen humanity; rather, it exposes humanity's utter inability to meet God's righteous demands. This inability drives the individual to despair of self-effort and points them to the necessity of a divine deliverer. The "spiritual" nature of the Law highlights God's unchanging holiness, while the "carnal" and "sold under sin" human condition emphasizes the depth of human depravity and the pervasive power of sin, apart from Christ.

* [Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian"): The Law acted as a "guardian" or "tutor" to lead us to Christ, revealing our sin and need for a Savior.
* [Psalm 19:7-9](/psalms/19-7-9 "Psalm 19:7-9 - The Perfection of God's Law"): These verses extol the perfection, trustworthiness, and righteousness of God's Law, affirming its spiritual and holy nature.
* [Ephesians 2:1-3](/ephesians/2-1-3 "Ephesians 2:1-3 - Dead in Sins"): Describes humanity's pre-conversion state as "dead in trespasses and sins," fulfilling the desires of the flesh and mind, and being "by nature children of wrath," reinforcing the "carnal" and "sold under sin" condition.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 7:14 offers profound insight into the enduring spiritual battle faced by all believers. It validates the experience of internal conflict, where the desire to do good and obey God's spiritual Law clashes with the persistent pull of the "carnal" nature and the lingering effects of sin's power. This verse reminds us that the struggle is real, not a sign of spiritual failure, but a testament to the depth of our fallenness and the ongoing process of sanctification. It prevents us from falling into self-righteousness, by showing our inherent inability to perfectly obey God, and from despair, by pointing us beyond ourselves to the only true source of deliverance. Our hope and ultimate victory do not come from striving harder under the Law, but from the liberating power of the Holy Spirit working within us through Christ Jesus, who has broken sin's dominion. This understanding fosters humility, dependence on God's grace, and a deeper appreciation for the finished work of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the "spiritual" nature of God's Law change your perspective on its demands?**
* **In what ways do you personally experience the tension between your desire to obey God and the lingering pull of your "carnal" nature?**
* **How does the concept of being "sold under sin" highlight your need for a Savior, and how does it deepen your appreciation for Christ's liberation?**

### FAQ

**Does "I am carnal, sold under sin" mean believers are still slaves to sin?**

Answer: This verse describes a profound internal conflict, often interpreted in two primary ways: either as Paul recounting his experience as an unregenerate person under the Law, or as the ongoing struggle of a regenerate believer with the remnants of their sinful nature. Given the context of [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans Chapter 6 - Freedom from Sin"), where Paul declares believers are "no longer slaves to sin," and [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans Chapter 8 - Life in the Spirit"), which speaks of freedom in the Spirit, it's crucial to understand that while a believer may still _struggle_ with sin and experience its lingering influence (the "carnal" nature), they are no longer _enslaved_ or _dominated_ by it in the same way as an unregenerate person. The "sold under sin" refers to the inherent state of humanity apart from Christ, or the persistent pull of the old nature that the believer actively resists, rather than a state of helpless bondage for the one indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers the believer to say "no" to sin, even when the desire for it remains.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 7:14, with its stark declaration of humanity's "carnal" nature "sold under sin" in contrast to the "spiritual" Law, powerfully sets the stage for the absolute necessity and glory of Christ's redemptive work. The Law, though holy and good, could only expose sin and condemn the sinner; it could not provide the power to overcome the inherent bondage. This verse highlights the profound human inability to achieve righteousness through self-effort, thus magnifying the grace of God in Christ. Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the spiritual Law, living a life of complete obedience where humanity failed ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfills the Law")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He broke the power of sin's dominion, paying the price for our "carnal" nature and liberating those who were "sold under sin" ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness and Victory")). The freedom from this bondage is not achieved by renewed effort under the Law, but by the indwelling Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to walk according to the Spirit, fulfilling the righteous requirements of the Law through love ([Romans 8:2-4](/romans/8-2-4 "Romans 8:2-4 - The Law of the Spirit of Life")). Thus, Romans 7:14 ultimately points us to Christ as the only one who can deliver us from this body of death ([Romans 7:24-25](/romans/7-24-25 "Romans 7:24-25 - Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ!")), transforming our carnal nature and enabling us to live a life pleasing to God by the power of His Spirit.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 21:25

But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

2 Kings 17:17

And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

1 Kings 21:20

And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found [thee]: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.

Romans 7:18

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.

Isaiah 52:3

For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

Romans 7:22

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Romans 7:24

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?