Carnal Man: 3) The Battle Within
A Sermon on Romans 7:21-23
Originally preached Nov. 27, 1959
Scripture
21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into …
Sermon Description
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is fixated on helping his listeners understand the difficult teaching of the apostle Paul’s in Romans 7:15-25. The spiritual identity of the man presented by Paul in Romans 7 is a most perplexing passage. In previous sermons, Dr. Lloyd-Jones has been methodically building his case on the man’s spiritual identity. He is one who knows that the law is good. This man agrees with the law that he is a sinner. Now the man states that he delights in the law. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues, these things cannot be said of the unregenerate man. But does this mean that Romans 7 refers to the regenerate man as the Reformed tradition holds? Humbly, the Doctor demurs from men he holds in high estimation. Instead, being bound to the text of Scripture, Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that while this man does indeed affirm the spiritual nature of the law, he also says there is a battle raging within. Moreover, the man in Romans 7 says he is brought into captivity. What do these elements mean for the spiritual identity of the man in Romans 7? Listen as Martyn Lloyd-Jones untangles and explains this most intriguing passage of Scripture.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is continuing his argument about the law from Romans 7:7. He is explaining the law point by point so that no one misunderstands.
- In verse 21, Paul sums up what he has been saying. He finds that when he wants to do good, evil is present with him. This is his experience and the "law" or rule of his life.
- In verses 22-23, Paul explains verse 21. Although he delights in God's law in his inner being, he sees another law in his body warring against the law of his mind and making him a prisoner of the law of sin in his body.
- The "inward man" refers to the mind, illuminated by the Spirit. The "members" refer to the body and its appetites. There is a law in the mind, but also in the body.
- The law in the body wars against the law in the mind. It uses strategy and military campaign to oppose the mind's desire to do good.
- This law in the body takes Paul captive and makes him a prisoner. He is conquered and helpless, like a prisoner at the point of a spear.
- Paul is referring to himself, not just part of himself. He is not saying only part of him is captive to sin. His whole self is captive.
- Paul is not saying he never has victories or that the captivity is invariable. But he is describing the general tendency and habit of his life at present. Overall, he fails more than he succeeds.
- If Paul meant that he was generally victorious, verse 24 ("O wretched man that I am!") would make no sense. His cry shows he feels defeated and hopeless.
- "Wretched" means exhausted from hard labor. Paul has struggled in vain and now cries out in despair.
- "Who will deliver me?" shows Paul does not yet know Christ and the Spirit can deliver him. He only knows he can't deliver himself.
- The "body of death" is the same as the law of sin in the members. Paul wants deliverance from the part of himself opposed to his mind and God's law.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Romans 7:21-23 Teach About the Inner Struggle of the Christian?
What does Paul mean by "I find then a law" in Romans 7:21?
In Romans 7:21, when Paul says "I find then a law," he is not referring to the Law of God or the law of sin. Rather, he is describing a principle or rule that operates consistently in his experience. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, Paul means "there seems to be a principle working in me... which is working in such a definite manner that it really is virtually a kind of law." It's like a natural law - just as night follows day or seasons change in sequence, Paul finds that whenever he desires to do good, evil is present with him. This is a regular, invariable pattern in his experience.
What is the "inward man" that Paul mentions in Romans 7:22?
The "inward man" refers to the mind or understanding - the invisible part of a person that has been illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the inward man is "that hidden man of the heart... that part of man which is not visible" as contrasted with the "members" or bodily organs. It includes "the soul, spirit, and so on, and including the mind." This becomes clear when Paul contrasts it with his "members" in verse 23, and when he refers to "the law of my mind." The inward man is not the body but the inner, spiritual aspect of a person that can delight in God's law.
How does Paul's statement about "delighting in God's law" prove this cannot be describing an unbeliever?
Paul's statement that he "delights in the law of God after the inward man" (Romans 7:22) conclusively demonstrates this cannot be describing an unbeliever. Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes this point by referencing Romans 8:7 where Paul says "the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." An unregenerate person cannot delight in God's law - they are naturally hostile to it. The progression in Paul's language is significant: he first acknowledges the law is "spiritual" (v.14), then "consents" that it is good (v.16), and finally "delights" in it (v.22). Such genuine delight in God's law is impossible for an unbeliever.
What does Paul mean by being "brought into captivity" in Romans 7:23?
When Paul speaks of being "brought into captivity to the law of sin," he is describing a state of defeat, not merely a tendency or struggle. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the original meaning of this word relates to a conquered person at the point of a spear - completely helpless and under the control of the conqueror. Paul is saying that despite his delight in God's law with his mind, the law of sin operating in his members frequently defeats him. This is not merely describing the presence of conflict but the outcome of that conflict - being "taken captive" and experiencing failure. It is this persistent defeat that leads to his cry of anguish in the next verse: "O wretched man that I am!"
Why does Paul cry out "O wretched man that I am" in Romans 7:24?
Paul cries out "O wretched man that I am" precisely because he experiences persistent defeat in his spiritual struggle. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this is "a cry of anguish," "a cry of hopelessness" with "a tinge of despair in it." The word "wretched" means "exhausted as the result of hard labor" - Paul has been striving and struggling until he's weary and worn out. This cry only makes sense as a response to failure and defeat, not merely to the existence of conflict. It expresses his anguish at being unable to overcome the law of sin in his members, leading to his desperate question: "Who shall deliver me from this body of death?" This is the cry of someone who has discovered he cannot deliver himself.
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.