Sermon Breakdown

1. The apostle Paul is describing a man who is carnal and sold under sin. This man does things he does not allow or understand. He wills to do good but does not do it. Instead, he does what he hates.

2. Paul draws two deductions about this man's position. The first deduction is that if this man does what he does not want to do, he agrees with the law that it is good. He consents to the goodness of the law.

3. The second deduction is that it is no longer this man who sins, but the sin that dwells within him. There is a kind of duality within this man.

4. Paul introduces a division in this man's personality. There is an "I" that sees the spiritual nature of the law and agrees with it, and there is the "sin that dwells within me" that is more powerful.

5. Paul is not excusing this man or disclaiming his responsibility. Rather, Paul is making a confession about the weakness and paralysis this man finds within himself.

6. Paul is showing the terrible power of sin and the inability of the law to deliver us, even when we see its spiritual nature. The law cannot overcome the sin that dwells within us.

7. Though this man consents to the law and sees its goodness, he cannot perform the good he wills to do. His ability is paralyzed by the sin within.

8. Paul repeats himself to reinforce how difficult these truths are to grasp and to help his readers understand. He is concerned with showing what the law cannot do because of the weakness of the flesh.

9. The "I" that wills to do good is not the same as the "me" in whom no good dwells. There are two parts within this man, and his whole personality is able to observe them both.

10. Paul is not attacking the law but showing that it cannot deliver us from sin's power and tyranny. The law's purpose is to show us our sin, not provide salvation.

11. We must understand these truths so we can live in the power of Christ and bear fruit for God's glory. We must magnify God's grace and rejoice in being united to Christ.