THE BATTLE WITHIN: Romans 7:13-25

Whereas Romans 6 focuses on the provisions of God in Christ for us to experience freedom from sin, chapter 7 focuses on the ongoing battle of the believer to fully enter into this experience. Notice the verb tenses shift to the present tense from vs 14 to the end of the chapter. This is Paul's present testimony of the inner, agonizing, ongoing battle against sin which he was constantly experiencing. The solution is in Ch. 8. It would be helpful not to use the NIV translation for ch 7 and 8 since it regularly translates "flesh" as "sin nature" a distinction which can confuse some of the questions below. If they have an NIV simply tell them this and make the appropriate changes as you read.

1. What is the problem Paul and every Christian has to grapple with?

1. Where specifically is the problem? (See also 6:12)
2. What is the contradicting principle (law) that is warring against this problem of sin?
3. Where specifically does Paul locate this principle? 22,23
4. Why is this significant? (Paul seems very consistent in locating these two principles in different places. See 18,23,24,25: also 6:12, II Cor. 4:16, Gal. 5:17).
5. How would you describe man with these two elements of flesh and spirit? Are they equal and opposite?

2. Does the solution to the power of sin warring in our members lie in our will power? See 18,19.

3. Where does the solution lie? See 6:11 as a hint to get you started. (also 8:2,3)

4. Where does our will fit in?