Paul uses the word “law” in various senses through the letter. He can refer to the Law of Moses, of Sin and of the Spirit. Here, he seems to use it in the sense of a general principle. He comes as close as he can get without us becoming over anachronistic to introducing “Murphy’s Law!” You see he discovers a law or principle at work. Whenever he is seeking to do the right thing, evil is waiting to pounce nearby. Actually, this is an ancient law found in God’s warning t Cain in the early days of creation (v21). In his “inner self”, his true identity if you like, he desires to do good, to obey God (v22). However, he also sees something at work in conflict with this, another law in “his members”, or his physical, embodied identity. That law takes Paul captive, it brings him under the hostile rule and control of sin (v23). Paul seems to despair, he sees a wretchedness to this, he is captive and pleads for someone to deliver him (v24). Who can save him? The answer is Jesus Christ and so he gives thanks for him. Yet Romans 7 finishes with a tension. His mind, his will is free, it belongs to Christ and yet his flesh, his human nature serves sin. How can that tension be resolved? Well chapter 8 will answer that.
Romans 7:21-25
