Romans 7:25

I thank God. Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 10) between this and the reading, “Thanks be to God.” Paul does not give a direct answer to his question, “Who shall deliver me?” Nor does he state for what he is thanking God. But this is plainly indicated by the context. What the law cannot do, what the conscience cannot do, what unaided human strength cannot do, can be accomplished by the plan of the gospel. Complete deliverance is available through Jesus Christ, and through Him alone. Compare “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).

This is the climax toward which Paul’s reasoning in this chapter has been pointing. It is not enough to be convinced of the excellence of the law or to acknowledge the wisdom and justice of its obligations. It is not enough to consent unto it as good or even to delight in its precepts. No amount of earnest striving after obedience will avail against the law of sin in the members, until the struggling sinner surrenders in faith to Christ. Then surrender to a person takes the place of legalistic obedience to a law. And since it is surrender to a person dearly loved, it is felt as perfect freedom (see SC 19; MH 131; DA 466).

I myself serve. Some have wondered why, after reaching the glorious climax in the expression “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord,” Paul should refer once more to the struggles of the soul from what he apparently had been delivered. Some understand the expression of thanksgiving as a parenthetical exclamation. They believe that such an exclamation follows naturally the cry, “Who shall deliver?” They hold that before proceeding with an extended discussion of the glorious deliverance (ch. 8) Paul summarizes what he has said in the preceding verses and confesses once again to the conflict against the forces of sin.

Others suggest that by “I myself” Paul means, “left to myself, leaving Christ out of the picture.” They believe that Paul is here stating a general truth that is valid at any point in the Christian experience. Hence they consider Paul’s exclamation to be not parenthetical, but in good logical sequence. Anytime a man tries to find victory over sin, of himself, apart from the power of Christ, he is doomed to failure.