Romans 7:25

Romans 7:25 concludes Paul's deeply personal and often debated discussion on the internal conflict faced by a believer. After exclaiming, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" in Romans 7:24, he immediately offers the triumphant answer: "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." This verse serves as a pivotal bridge, transitioning from the struggle of the law in Romans 7 to the liberating power of the Holy Spirit in Romans 8.

Context

The preceding verses in Romans 7 describe Paul's experience (or perhaps the experience of a person under the Law without Christ, or the ongoing struggle of a regenerate person) with the Law. He acknowledges the Law is good and spiritual, but that sin, dwelling within him, uses the Law to bring about death. This creates an agonizing paradox: desiring to do good but finding evil present. Verse 25 provides the resolution to this tension, attributing deliverance not to human effort or adherence to the Law, but to the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

Key Themes

• Deliverance and Gratitude: Paul's immediate expression of thanks points to Jesus Christ as the sole source of salvation and freedom from the dominion of sin. This is the ultimate answer to the internal conflict.
• The Ongoing Spiritual Battle: The latter part of the verse, "So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin," highlights the reality of the believer's dual nature. The renewed mind, illuminated by the Spirit, desires to obey God's righteous standards. However, the "flesh," representing the unredeemed sinful nature still present within, continues to incline towards disobedience. This tension is a hallmark of the Christian's sanctification journey.
• Victory in Christ: While the struggle is real, Paul's initial declaration of thanks underscores that the victory is secured in Christ. The believer is no longer condemned by the law of sin and death, but is under grace (Romans 8:1-4).

Linguistic Insights

• The Greek word for "mind" is nous (νοῦς), referring to the intellect, understanding, or faculty of judgment. In the Christian context, it signifies the part of a person that has been renewed and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, aligning with God's will.
• "Flesh" is sarx (σάρξ), which in Pauline theology often refers not merely to the physical body, but to the sinful human nature in its rebellion against God, unredeemed by grace. It represents the old self, prone to sin.
• "Serve" is douleuo (δουλεύω), meaning "to be a slave to" or "to serve as a slave." This emphasizes the powerful influence of both the divine law (through the renewed mind) and the law of sin (through the unredeemed flesh).

Practical Application

This verse offers immense comfort and clarity to believers who experience the internal struggle with sin. It teaches that:

• The Struggle Is Normal: Experiencing a conflict between your desire to do right and the pull towards sin does not mean you are not a true Christian. It means you are engaged in the spiritual battle.
• Deliverance Is in Christ Alone: Our victory over sin's dominion is not by willpower or self-effort, but through the grace and power of Jesus Christ our Lord.
• Reliance on the Spirit: While the flesh remains, the believer's focus should be on walking in the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to empower the mind to serve God's law. This sets the stage for the glorious truths of Romans 8.