[B-Greek] Ro 7.7-25: autobiography or speech in character?
Anthony Forsyth
anthony at calvarybiblechurch.org.uk
Fri Mar 7 12:23:43 EST 2003
On this passage Wallace (GGBB p392) says, "The issues here are quite
complex and cannot be resolved at the grammatical level. But suffice to
say that (1) Rom 7:7-25 is an extraordinarily difficult passage
exegetically; none of the standard views can claim at all points normal
or routine syntax for itself; (2) if the "I" of vv7-13 is the same as
the "I" in vv14-25, then it is almost certainly used in a universal
sense, for v9. can hardly refer to Paul in his pre-conversion state,
while v14. does not seem to be able to handle him after his conversion.
A universal notion would focus on humanity's (whether believers or
unbelievers) inability to please God by subjecting oneself to law.
Thus, even though the use of the first person in a universal sense is
quite rare, it is the only one that consistently interprets "I"."
You may also want to look at his comments on the use of the present
tense in the same passage on pp531-532.
Yours in the gospel of His grace,
Anthony Forsyth
Calvary Bible Church, Medway, UK
anthony at calvarybiblechurch.org.uk
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