11 Reasons The Man of Romans 7 is Regenerate

The Man of Romans 7 generates vigorous debates among Christians. Many insist that his woeful state depicts the condition of the unregenerate - the eternally lost. A closer examination of what is said of this man, in light of total depravity, leads the careful bible reader to a very different conclusion.

Romans Chapter 7

“Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? (2) For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. (3) So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. (4) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (5) For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. (6) But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (7) What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. (8) But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. (9) For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. (10) And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. (11) For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. (12) Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. (13) Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. (14) For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (15) For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. (17) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:1-25)

Eleven Observations

There are many things said of the man of Romans 7 that prove beyond any dispute that he is a REGENERATE man at the time of these experiences. Consider the following 11 observations:

  1. The UNREGENERATE cannot admit that he is carnal, sold under sin (v14).

  2. The UNREGENERATE cannot desire to do good (v15).

  3. The UNREGENERATE cannot hate the sin he practices (v15).

  4. The UNREGENERATE cannot consent that the law is good (v16).

  5. The UNREGENERATE cannot admit that in his flesh dwelleth no good thing (v18).

  6. The UNREGENERATE cannot will to do good (V18-19).

  7. The UNREGENERATE cannot desire to NOT do evil (v18-19).

  8. The UNREGENERATE cannot relegate sin to some OTHER part of himself (v20).

  9. The UNREGENERATE cannot delight in the law after the inward man (v22).

  10. The UNREGENERATE cannot war against such things (v23).

  11. The UNREGENERATE cannot recognize his wretched state (v24).

None of these things can be done in sincerity by the UNREGENERATE. I am certain that many other observations could be made from this text that likewise affirm the REGENERATE state of the Man of Romans 7.

Why Does It Matter?

Some may wonder why it matters. Many reasons come to mind, but in the interest of brevity I’ll mention two:

  • Understanding the Born-Again state - being born again is one thing. Having gospel understanding, doctrinal stability, or spiritual maturity is another. One who is born again experiences an inward battle between the remaining carnal nature and the spirit of God that dwells within. It is important to know this. The Lord Jesus Christ taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) This statement carries the same meaning as, “Blessed is the man of Romans 7.” Regeneration makes man aware of his sinfulness. It is through the gospel of the finished work of Christ that he finds rest (Matthew 11:28). Until then, he is likely to find himself more miserable than he ever was before having such sincere spiritual convictions.

  • Avoiding “the Born-Again Man would never do that” fallacy - the suggestion that born again people don’t do certain things is ridiculous. Time would not permit us to examine the broad array of sins committed by regenerate men in the bible. They run the gamut from murder (Exodus 2:12) to idolatry (I Kings 11:5-8). Simply put, God’s regenerate sheep are capable of committing horrible sins. It is for this very reason that we are taught to mortify sin (Colossians 3:5).

It is needful that the child of God be clear on these matters. Those who are not are prone to being blown by every wind of doctrine into the waiting arms of unstable works-based religion. Rather than affirming that their sincere conviction of sin is evidence that they are born of the spirit and encouraging them to profess this in the waters of baptism, unstable religious groups will rather suggest that their current state requires that they do something in order to become born again. What’s more, if they don’t do it, they’ll end up in hell. Many of God’s children end up on the works-treadmill as a result. It is for this reason that the Lord Jesus Christ comforts people in that condition. It is a beatified state. Those people ARE blessed already. They should be encouraged to confess their sinful state, be baptized, join the church, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ in obedient discipleship.

- Elder Daniel Samons

Daniel Samons