When we look at Romans chapter 7 a clear structure emerges. This is outlined in verses 5–6:

When we were in the flesh, the sinful passions operating through the law bore fruit for death. But now we have been released from the law, since we have died to bound us. Now we are enabled to serve in the way of the Spirit and not in the old letter of the law.

Verse 5 demonstrates the pre-Christian experience, “when we were in the flesh,” producing “death.” Verse 6 refers to Christians: “But now,” “released,” “died” to the old self, and “Spirit.” Most commentators agree that verse 5 refers to unbelievers and verse 6 to believers. Romans 7:7-25 reveals verse 5, and Romans 8:1–17 gives us verse 6. In verses 7–25 we see how sin brings death to everyone living in the flesh, and from Romans 8:1–17 we find the Spirit giving life to all belonging to Jesus Christ. Romans 7:5-6 describes what Paul is about to say with clear statements.

When we open the box we can look at the passage through a different lens. The Holy Spirit is never mentioned in Romans 7:7–25. But Paul refers to the Spirit 15 times in Romans 8:1–17. The question then arises concerning the person described in Romans 7:7–25 is who is not identified with the Spirit in his life.

What it means to be a Christian is to be indwelt with the Spirit as found in Romans 8:9. We find Paul’s statements in Romans 7:14 and 7:18 describing the “flesh,” one who remains in the old Adam and one who is unregenerate.

Paul advances with difficult questions being addressed. In Romans 7:5–6 the Apostle gives thought to the ensuing discussion. But notice the question posed in Romans 7:7: “What should we say then? Is the law sin?” The question follows Romans 7:5 as Paul explains our sinful passions being aroused by the law and followed with spiritual death.

So the question in Romans 7:7 then follows: if sinful passions are caused by the law, is the law sinful? Paul denounces this option and states that the law is spiritual and good, Romans 7:12. The Apostle insists that sin found in the old man used the law in our lives to bring about spiritual death. This is the purpose of the crucifixion of the old man in chapters 5 and 6.

Paul asks another question in Romans 7:13: “Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.” The “good” here is the Law. “Did the good law cause my death?” The answer is then given in Romans 7:13b–25. This supports a pre-Christian experience since Paul explains how sin used the law to bring about our death. Paul states that an unbeliever in Romans 7:5-6,” For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”

Christians have identified with the inability of the “I” in Romans 7:13–25. Many read these verses and think: That’s my story; that’s my experience. WRONG, wrong, wrong!! Christians are very much aware of sin because temptation and the ways we might fall short of God’s will. 

Just as James writes, “We all stumble in many ways,” James 3:2. Previously, he makes it clear in chapter 1:13-15,   “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” Sin is only accomplished after temptation is followed.

Everyone following the Lord recognizes daily temptation sometimes followed by sin until the coming day of redemption as Paul writes in Galatians 5:16-18. 

Our freedom from sin does not agree with the person described in Romans 7:13–25, because this person is enslaved to sin. Christians live with significant and observable victories over temptation and sin now. Though we are dramatically changed by the grace of God, we will sometimes sin, but we will not reside there.

Does a reference to believers fit with Romans 7:22-23 “ For in my inner self I joyfully agree with God’s law. But I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body.” Does this illustrate a Believer? I do not think so because Jews loved God’s law, but did not know the Risen Christ. Paul insists that Jews are zealous for God, but had no knowledge of Him as stated in Romans 10:3-4, “For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Desire for the law does not illustrate a relationship with God.

Paul moves from past-tense verbs in Romans 7:7–11 to present-tense verbs in verses 14–25, is this proof as Paul being a Believer? I do not think so. Exegesis must come from context because present-tense verbs in the indicative, may be used with reference to the past or the future. This is sometimes referred to as ‘historical present.’

The tense of the verb does not emphasize time in Romans 7:7-25, but rather the condition of his inner being as an unbeliever. Paul speaks of his personal impotence and his use of the present tense provides us with his subjection to slavery under the law.

Jesus is Lord.