Does Romans 7 Teach that Christians Will Continue Sinning?

Preparing for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost: Three Days before Sunday (Year C)

Scripture (semicontinuous)

Psalter: Psalm 30

Old Testament: 2 Kings 4:8-17

Epistle: Romans 7:14-25

Scripture (complementary)

Psalter: Psalm 66:1-9

Old Testament: 2 Kings 21:1-15

Epistle: Romans 7:14-25

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Prayer

O God, you set us free in Jesus Christ with a power greater than all that would keep us captive. Grant that we might live gracefully in our freedom without selfishness or arrogance, and through love become slaves to the freedom of the gospel for the sake of your reign. Amen.

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Reflection

For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me (Romans 7:14-20).

Rev. Dr. Ben Witherington of Asbury Theological Seminary offers his answer to the question.

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