The identity of the “I” in Romans 7 has a contentious history. Theologian and scholar, Michael F. Bird, acknowledges that Romans 7:7-25 is one of the most vexing parts of Holy Scripture.[1]“No chapter in the Pauline corpus has aroused more controversy than Romans 7 and no question in that difficult chapter is more disputed than the identity of the “I” who speaks there.”[2]
By employing the "I" egō (Greek), is Paul’s intent autobiographical? Is he referring to himself directly in the passage? And if so, is he doing so from a past or present perspective, recalling himself as a Pharisee prior coming to Christ, or as an Apostle presently in Christ, or both? Is the function of the egō in Romans 7 intended to reference Paul at all? Is his use of “I” in this passage a rhetorical device used to reference his fellow Jews or humanity as a whole? Or is his focus more specific? Does Paul have Adam in mind, or Israel, dramatically placing himself in their place to make his point?
Last week we briefly look some of the different interpretations mentioned above throughout Church history. This week we engage this wonderfully challenging passage in regard to experience: has my faith walk resembled Paul's description of the "I" in Romans 7. Have I ever felt Romans 7?
[1] Michael F Bird, Romans (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2016), https://www.hoopladigital.com/play/12298051.
[2] Stephen Westerholm, Perspectives Old and New on Paul : The “Lutheran” Paul and His Critics (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2004), 134.
Video:
https://youtu.be/Djtays9QqSQ
