romans 7

by far, it's more difficult to understand this passage than the previous chapters studies. it lingers my mind and creates a deadlock as a matter of fact having been bombarded by various opinions that others have put forward in interpreting this passage. the biggest obstacle so far is in trying to find out the flow of chp. 6-8 as a whole that would minimise the possibility of paradoxical conclusions.

taken lightly, the message of chp 6 and 8 seems to flow well, but chp 7 seems to propose a differing standing that entangles the unity of the message in chp 6-8. the idea of chp 6 is a clear one that a Cn had been freed from sin through the union with Christ, dead to sin and alive in Christ. no longer is a Cn living under the old way of the written code, rather they are now under grace, living under the control of the Spirit. in chp 8, this new way of live is again and even much more being emphasized by the message here. chp 7 seems to be the thrust, yet a Cn still struggles with sin?

at one point, i suppose that the distinctive conclusions both carry some weights and therefore both are correct as far as the experiences of many Cns. the problem is heighten when i blame sin in my flesh everytime i disobey God. this is rather bleak, isn't the Spirit within me, once converted? how could both definitions be true of a Cn?

i suppose it's even more complex to bring out the idea of interpretations that others have put forward with regard to chp 7:14-25. so, no joy!