Carnal Man: 2) Dual Personality
A Sermon on Romans 7:16-20
Originally preached Nov. 20, 1959
Scripture
16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no …
Sermon Description
What is the spiritual identity of the man? Is he regenerate? Unregenerate? Or carnal? This has been the burning question Dr. Marytn Lloyd-Jones has been asking of Romans 7:15-25. After having carefully worked through several verses already, in this message Dr. Lloyd-Jones continues to aid his listeners through this difficult passage. Looking at the larger context of Romans, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds us that Paul is not merely telling us about his personal experience in Romans 7. Instead, Paul is defending his view of the law. As the apostle is neither denouncing the law nor attributing the responsibility for sin to the law, the question remains: how does sin come to pass then? In answering this question, the apostle Paul makes one of the most daring statements in all the Bible. Paul asserts that sin dwells in me! In other words, sin takes up residence in each person. As such, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, we must realize that sin is not just outside but is part of our very nature. Listen as he explains the power of sin, the dual nature of man, and how this all connects to finding out the spiritual identity of the man in Romans 7.
Sermon Breakdown
-
The apostle Paul is describing a man who is carnal and sold under sin. This man does things he does not allow or understand. He wills to do good but does not do it. Instead, he does what he hates.
-
Paul draws two deductions about this man's position. The first deduction is that if this man does what he does not want to do, he agrees with the law that it is good. He consents to the goodness of the law.
-
The second deduction is that it is no longer this man who sins, but the sin that dwells within him. There is a kind of duality within this man.
-
Paul introduces a division in this man's personality. There is an "I" that sees the spiritual nature of the law and agrees with it, and there is the "sin that dwells within me" that is more powerful.
-
Paul is not excusing this man or disclaiming his responsibility. Rather, Paul is making a confession about the weakness and paralysis this man finds within himself.
-
Paul is showing the terrible power of sin and the inability of the law to deliver us, even when we see its spiritual nature. The law cannot overcome the sin that dwells within us.
-
Though this man consents to the law and sees its goodness, he cannot perform the good he wills to do. His ability is paralyzed by the sin within.
-
Paul repeats himself to reinforce how difficult these truths are to grasp and to help his readers understand. He is concerned with showing what the law cannot do because of the weakness of the flesh.
-
The "I" that wills to do good is not the same as the "me" in whom no good dwells. There are two parts within this man, and his whole personality is able to observe them both.
-
Paul is not attacking the law but showing that it cannot deliver us from sin's power and tyranny. The law's purpose is to show us our sin, not provide salvation.
-
We must understand these truths so we can live in the power of Christ and bear fruit for God's glory. We must magnify God's grace and rejoice in being united to Christ.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Romans 7:16-17: Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Exposition
What is the first deduction Paul draws in Romans 7:16?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the first deduction Paul makes is that if he does what he does not want to do, he is consenting to the law that it is good. This is "an obvious and inevitable piece of logic." The apostle is saying that his regret over his actions shows he agrees with what the law says about these actions. The word "consent" means "I speak with" - indicating he approves of the law and goes alongside it. This deduction proves that Paul is not criticizing the law itself, but rather demonstrating that "the law itself is in no way responsible for his failure in practice."
What is the second deduction Paul makes in Romans 7:17?
The second deduction in verse 17 is that "it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me." Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls this "one of the most daring and profound things that has ever been said" and "one of the most astonishing statements in the whole of the Bible." Paul is identifying a division within the personality he's describing - a duality where part of him recognizes the spiritual character of the law and agrees with it, while another part causes him to sin despite his desire not to.
What does Paul mean by "sin that dwelleth in me"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul reveals two profound truths about sin here. First, "sin is something that dwells in us, takes up its home in us" - it's not something that merely comes from outside as temptation but is "in our very nature" from birth. Second, sin has "terrible power" - it's "more powerful than the voice of conscience... more powerful than a man's willpower" and even "more powerful than the man who has now been given to see the spiritual character of the law." This reveals why mere knowledge, education, or moral teaching can never solve humanity's sin problem.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say this passage is difficult to interpret?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones acknowledges this is "one of the most difficult passages" he's ever had to handle. The difficulty stems from: 1. The complex psychology Paul is describing 2. The different uses of "I" and "me" that seem contradictory 3. The division within the person being described 4. The complicated nature of sin itself
He notes that even Paul found it difficult to express, which is why Paul inserted clarifying phrases like "that is, in my flesh" in verse 18. Lloyd-Jones states, "This thing is difficult because sin is difficult. What sin did when it came into the world was to introduce complications."
Who is the "I" that Paul refers to in this passage?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul uses "I" in different ways throughout the passage: - Sometimes "I" refers to the whole personality or the person acting - Sometimes "I" refers to the part of the person that recognizes the spiritual character of the law - In verse 18, Paul even distinguishes between two different "me's" within the same person
This duality is critical because "this is a duality that is never found in an unregenerate person." The unregenerate person does not experience this internal division; they are "one in thought and in action" while their conscience troubles them from "outside themselves."
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' main conclusion about this passage?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes that Paul's main purpose is not simply to share his personal experience but to demonstrate three key truths:
- Paul is not disclaiming responsibility for his actions or excusing himself
- Paul is showing the terrible, exceeding sinfulness and power of sin
- Paul is demonstrating "the complete inability of the law to deliver us, even when you see clearly the spiritual character of the law"
The passage ultimately shows that "the law can never deliver us" from sin and that our only hope is to be "married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead" - Jesus Christ.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.