Pauls Experience in Romans Chapter 7

Most Protestant sects teach that Paul’s experience in Romans chapter 7 is the experience we are to expect as a Christian. One of sinning and repenting, bemoaning our wretched experience, doing the evil we don’t want to do, and being captive to the law of sin.

I hold that the Bible teaches that Romans 7 was Paul’s experience before he was converted to Christ. Following are a number of scriptures that I have put in two categories — pre-conversation and post-conversation.

Pre-Conversation:
Rom 7:14 but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Rom 7:23 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.

Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am!

1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Post-Conversation:
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

1Th 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

2Co 6:4-6 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

2Co 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Act 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.

I trust you can see the difference between Paul’s pre-conversation testimony and his post-conversation testimony.