Romans chapter 7 speaks directly to the inner struggles we face as we strive to live for God. Paul reveals a deep tension within us—the battle between our desire to do good and the persistent pull of sin. As we reflect on his words, we find ourselves nodding in agreement because we, too, know what it feels like to want to obey God while still wrestling with our own weaknesses. This chapter helps us understand the purpose of the law, the nature of sin, and the hope we have despite our failures.
Paul begins by using an analogy from marriage. He explains that a woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives, but when he dies, she is free from that law. In the same way, we were once bound to the law, but through Christ, we have died to it so that we may belong to Him instead. This means we no longer serve God in the old way, by striving to keep a set of rules, but in the new way of the Spirit. The law, as Paul describes it, was never meant to save us. Instead, it was given to reveal our sin, to show us how far we have fallen. Without it, we might not have even realized our own sinfulness.
Paul gives a personal example, saying that he would not have known coveting was wrong unless the law had told him, “You shall not covet.” This makes us think about our own lives—how often do we only recognize sin when we are confronted with God’s standard? The law, instead of making us righteous, actually awakens sinful desires within us. When we are told not to do something, our rebellious nature wants to do it even more. This is something we can all relate to. The law is good, but sin takes advantage of it, using it to bring condemnation and death.
Paul’s words resonate deeply when he describes the battle within himself. He tells us that even though he wants to do good, he finds himself doing the very things he hates. He acknowledges that nothing good lives in his flesh—that part of him that is still drawn to sin. We understand this frustration all too well. How many times have we resolved to be patient, kind, or pure, only to find ourselves slipping into anger, selfishness, or temptation? Even when we delight in God’s law in our hearts, there is another force at work within us, waging war against our minds.
This struggle can feel overwhelming. Paul cries out in desperation, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?” His words echo our own feelings when we are discouraged by our failures. But then, he shifts the focus away from himself and onto Jesus. “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” This is where our hope lies—not in our ability to follow the law perfectly, but in Christ’s power to save us despite our weaknesses.
At the heart of this chapter is the realization that we cannot free ourselves from sin. Trying to obey God through sheer willpower only leads to frustration. The law exposes our sin, but it cannot heal us. It is like a mirror that shows us our flaws but does nothing to fix them. The more we try to be righteous on our own, the more we see our inability to live up to God’s perfect standard. This realization is painful, but it is necessary because it brings us to the point where we recognize our need for Jesus.
This chapter also helps us understand the ongoing tension between our new life in Christ and the remnants of our old sinful nature. Though we are made new in Christ, our bodies and minds still carry the effects of sin. We are no longer slaves to sin, but we are not yet free from its presence. The battle Paul describes is not something we can escape in this life, but it is something we can face with confidence, knowing that victory is assured through Jesus.
Paul’s honesty about his struggle should encourage us. Even he, an apostle chosen by God, wrestled with sin. This means that when we struggle, we are not alone. God knows our weakness, and He has provided a way for us to overcome—not through our strength, but through His grace.
As we take in the truths of Romans 7, we are reminded that failure does not define us. Instead, it points us back to our need for Christ. When we feel discouraged by our inability to do what is right, we can remember that our salvation is not dependent on our perfection. Rather, it rests on the finished work of Jesus. This chapter sets the stage for the victory and freedom that Paul will soon describe in Romans 8.
For now, we acknowledge the struggle, knowing that while we may battle sin, we are no longer condemned by it. Our failures remind us of God’s grace, and our struggles keep us dependent on Him. Even in our weakness, He is working in us, shaping us into the people He created us to be.