Lawrence DeMetrius

Lyrics

Letter of Apostle Paul – Romans
An Intimate Review
Pt 8
By Lawrence DeMetrius

The Law and Grace

In [Rm 7:1-13; 8:3] Apostle Paul addresses Christians of Hebrew descent, using marriage to illustrate his point. Israel is the chosen nation that for a season was obligated to The Mosaic Law, as a wife is to her husband. However, this fidelity was only expected to last while her husband was alive. Once her husband dies, she becomes free from her obligation to him. She therefore has no reason to feel guilt for no longer being obligated to him. Apostle Paul reiterates the honor and value of The Mosaic Law as it continues to teach what sin is. Although it remains the chief instructor on sin, it has never yielded power to correct the SINFUL NATURE inherited by mortals per the sin of Adam. In [Rm 7:14a] Apostle Paul confirms that The Mosaic Law is indeed a SPIRITUAL LAW.

*law Gk #3551 nomos (nom-os) it is law through the idea of prescriptive usage, general regulation, specifically The Mosaic Law and volumes thereof, a principle and Gospel of Jesus Christ

*spiritual Gk #4152 pneumatikos (pnyoo-mat-ik-os) it means not carnal or sensual but ethereal

• carnal, which pertains to or is characterized by the physical body, its passions and appetites
• sensual, which…
o pertains and inclines to or is preoccupied with the gratification of the senses and appetites of the physical body
o means lacking in moral restraints, lewd or unchaste
o is the arousal of the senses or appetites of the physical body
o is worldly, materialistic and irreligious
o is of or relating to the senses or physical sensation
o pertains to the philosophical doctrine of sensationalism
o is not spiritual but human, temporal, physical and capable of dying

• ethereal means…
o exquisite, extremely delicate or refined
o almost as light as air, celestial or spiritual
o not readily or plainly seen, heard or perceived but obvious, evident and tangible
o capable of being touched or felt
• divinely supernatural, regenerate or religious
• in the negative sense is a demonic spirit

In [Rm 7:14b] Apostle Paul considers himself CARNAL and SOLD under SIN. This was his confession as a mortal, attesting to the reality of his SIN-FLAWED NATURE. Clearly, he was aware of his own CARNAL NATURE and was comfortable realistically acknowledging it, as were the saints in The Church of Philadelphia. [Rev 3:8] This is what all born-again believers must do to properly worship Yahweh. [St Jn 4:23, 24; 15:5; II Cor 12:9, 10; Phil 4:13]

*carnal Gk #4559 sarkikos (sar-kee-kos) it means pertaining to the flesh, bodily, temporal, animalistic and unregenerate

CARNAL refers to the SLAVE MIND that is SOLD UNDER sin. It is not and cannot be subject to divine rule. [Rm 6; 8:5-7] It is the part of human nature that is always weak and vulnerable to sin. [Mt 26:41] It is as real as one’s born-again nature and should always be properly acknowledged.

*sold Gk #4097 piprasko (pip-ras-ko) it is to traffic by traveling and dispose of as merchandise into slavery

*under Gk #5259 hupo (hoo-po) it means…
• under with general regard to placing beneath
• agency or means by which a thing is rendered through

HUPO refers to HOW a thing is SOLD, specifically UNDER sin.

*sin Gk #266 hamartia (ham-ar-tee-ah) it means filled with sin and an offence



In [Rm 7:15] Apostle Paul explains the reason for his idea of being SOLD under SIN. He writes,

That which I do, I ALLOW not: or what I would, that do I not; but what I HATE that do I.
[Rm 7:15]

*allow Gk #1097 ginosko (ghin-oce-ko) it means to absolutely know

• know is to…
• perceive or understand as fact or truth
• apprehend clearly and with certainty
• have established or fixed in the mind or memory
• be cognizant and aware of
• be acquainted with as by sight, experience or report
• understand from experience or attainment
• be able to distinguish as one from another

• absolute means to be…
• free from imperfection, complete and perfect
• pure, not mixed, unadulterated and intrinsic
• outright, positive, certain and ultimate
• free from restriction and limitation and not limited in any way
• viewed independently and not comparative or relative

*hate Gk #3404 miseo (mis-eh-o) it means to detest, persecute and love less

Apostle Paul is referring to a SELF that is very real and that he strives to OPPRESS. Given that he speaks of the SLAVE SELF which is SOLD UNDER SIN, it is likely the SELF he is referring to in this passage. The SLAVE SELF abides within everyone as a result of Adam’s transgression. [Gen 2:9, 17; 3:1-6] It is a consequence that all mortals must deal with until they transition to immortality. [Phil 3:19, 20] Because of this unfortunate inheritance, all mortals be they redeemed or not, fall short of the glory that is due to Yahweh, WHO initially created in HIS OWN likeness and image, which is without sin. [Gen 1:26, 27] Incidentally, this is also why born-again believers are expected to always be ready, willing and able through Christ, to consistently practice righteousness and forgiveness.
[Rm 3:23; Mt 7:1-5; Gal 6:1-3, 6-8] Apostle Paul beheld his own UNREGENERATE NATURE through his BORN-AGAIN NATURE. Being SPIRITUALLY mature he understood the importance of realistically dealing with the carnal nature and embracing his personal responsibility to keep it under control. [I Cor 9:27] He then writes,

If I do that which I would not, I CONSENT to the law that it is GOOD.
[Rm 7:16]

*consent Gk #4852 sumphemi (soom-fay-mee) it means to say jointly and assent, which means to agree with, concede, subscribe, yield and give in to

*good Gk #2570 kalos (kal-os) it means beautiful, valuable and virtuous for appearance and use

In [Rm 7:17-22] Apostle Paul recognizes the GOODNESS of The Mosaic Law per its ability to disclose what sin is. Thus, by it, mortals can at least recognize what is right and what is wrong. Then he writes,

Now then, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
[Rm 7:17]

The ‘I’ Apostle Paul refers to in this statement is his born-again spirit, which is set to act in a manner that is pleases THE LORD. [Rm 2:7; II Cor 5:17] In so doing, he was empowered, as are all born-again believers, to maintain dominion over their CARNAL NATURE, which is set to please its own desires. [Rm 8:5-7; Mt 26:41; Eccl 3:16] In [Rm 7:23] Apostle Paul notes the war that is always taking place between his regenerate and unregenerate natures. He writes,

I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, which is bringing me into captivity to the law of sin in my members.
[Rm 7:23]

Per this statement, Apostle Paul clarifies that mortals cannot ignore the war that is going on within their SOMA, themselves, their spirit/mind, soul/seat of sentiment and their natural body. [I Thes 5:23, 24]
This is why one cannot practice divine worship when they do not realistically acknowledge and handle the dual self. This can only be done with daily renewal of mind with Yahweh’s Word and Spirit. [St Jn 4:23, 24] Apostle Paul then writes,

O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then, with the mind I serve the Law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
[Rm 7:24, 25]

In conclusion, Apostle Paul is resolved about the reality of the dual MIND and SELF that abides within all living mortals. In [Rm 8:1] Apostle Paul heralds good news writing,

There is therefore NOW no CONDEMNATION to those who are IN Christ Jesus, who WALK not after the FLESH, but after the SPIRIT.
[Rm 8:1]

*now Gk #3568 nun (noon) it refers to the present and immediate in time

*condemnation Gk #2631 katakrima (kat-ak-ree-mah) it is an adverse sentence and verdict of an adverse sentence

*in English it means inner, internal and located or situated within

*walk Gk #4043 peripateo (per-ee-pat-eh-o) it means to tread all around, walk at large especially as proof of one’s ability, live, deport oneself and follow as a devoted companion, friend and student

*flesh/carnal Gk #4561 sarx (sarx) it is…
• flesh as stripped of the skin or strictly the meat of an animal as food
• the body as opposed to the soul or spirit
• the symbol of what is external
• the means of kindred
• human nature with its passions, physical and moral frailties and humans as such

Here, Apostle Paul is referring to the unregenerate mortal nature.
*spirit Gk #4151 pneuma (pnyoo-mah) it is…
• a current of air, breath, blast or breeze
• the spirit or human rational soul
• vital principle or mental disposition
• a superhuman such as an angelic being, Yahweh, Jesus Christ and Holy Ghost

Per this statement Apostle Paul is referring to the Holy Ghost. Born-again believers must be careful never to receive philosophies that promogulate the idea that liberation from the power of sin and inheritance of eternal salvation is accessible by any means other than Jesus Christ. [St Jn 8:12, 24; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Heb 7:25; II Jn vs 7-11]

*********************<Time10m45s>*********************