Overcoming Sins of Little Foxes in Romans 7
Overcoming Sins of Little Foxes in Romans 7
The apostle Paul's lament in Romans 7:17, "So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me," highlights the struggle between the flesh and the spirit that believers face [1]. This passage is part of Paul's larger argument about the law and its relationship to sin and righteousness.
The context of Romans 7 is crucial for understanding Paul's discussion of sin. In the preceding chapter, Paul explains that believers are dead to sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus (Romans 6:1-14). However, in Romans 7, he acknowledges that sin still dwells within him, causing a internal conflict (Romans 7:14-25). This struggle is not unique to Paul; the Psalmist also laments the presence of sin, describing it as a condition from birth (Psalm 51:5; Psalm 58:3) [3].
The "little foxes" mentioned in Song of Solomon 2:15 are often interpreted as small sins or vices that can destroy spiritual growth. While Romans 7 does not directly reference "little foxes," Paul's discussion of sin's presence in believers' lives can be related to this concept. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, sin is characterized as a corrupting influence that leads to further sinning (1 John 3:8) [4].
Paul's use of the term "sin which dwells in me" (Romans 7:17) indicates that sin is not just an action, but a presence within the believer [1]. This understanding is supported by the cross-references to other biblical passages that discuss the law and sin, such as Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21, which highlight the role of the law in revealing sin [2].
The interpretive work in Romans 7 hinges on understanding the relationship between the law, sin, and the believer. John Gill notes that Paul's discussion in Romans 7 shows that although believers are justified from sin, sin still remains in them [6]. This perspective is echoed in the writings of Augustine, who comments on the nature of sin and its relation to the devil, stating that one becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth [4].
The presence of sin in believers' lives is a recurring theme in the New Testament. The apostle John writes that if we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar (1 John 1:10) [5]. This acknowledgment of sin's presence is not a justification for sinning, but rather a recognition of the ongoing struggle between flesh and spirit.
Sources
- Romans “So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. -- Romans 7:17”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 7:7 cross-references: Genesis 3:6, Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21, Joshua 7:21, 2 Samuel 11:2, 1 Kings 21:1, Psalms 19:7, Psalms 119:96, Micah 2:2, Matthew 5:28, Luke 12:15, Acts 20:33, Romans 3:5, Romans 3:20, Romans 4:1, Romans 4:15, Romans 6:15, Romans 7:5, Romans 7:8, Romans 7:11, Romans 7:13, Romans 13:9, 1 Corinthians 15:56, Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:5, 1 John 2:15”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 7 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS 7 The Apostle, in this chapter, discourses concerning the freedom of justified and regenerated persons from the law, and concerning the nature, use, and excellency of it; in which he removes several objections to it, and gives an account from his own experience of the struggle and combat there is between flesh and spirit in a regenerate person; and which shows, that though believers are justified from sin, yet still sin remains in them, and is the complaint of their souls. Whereas he had in Rom 6:14, of the preceding chapter, asser”