Romans 7:14 Meaning and Explanation
“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The law is spiritual and good, but Paul confesses himself fleshly, as though sold into bondage to sin.
What Does Romans 7:14 Mean?
Paul sets a sharp contrast. The law is spiritual, belonging to God and breathing his goodness. He, by contrast, calls himself carnal, sold under sin, using the image of one handed over like a slave to a harsh master. The fault lies wholly on the human side of the comparison.
This confession marks the deep struggle the rest of the chapter unfolds. A good law meets a heart still entangled with sin, and the gap aches. Yet the very ache testifies to a higher pull, for one wholly enslaved would not grieve the bondage. The cry of the captive prepares the way for the Deliverer Paul will name with thanksgiving.
Romans 7:14 in the Original Language
sarkikos (σαρκικός), 'carnal' -- belonging to the flesh, marked by human weakness rather than the Spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 7:14
What does Romans 7:14 mean?
The law is spiritual and good, but Paul confesses himself fleshly, as though sold into bondage to sin.