Romans 7:25 – “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”

Extended Explanation

Paul ends this section of Romans 7 with a declaration of victory. After expressing his deep frustration over his struggle with sin (Romans 7:24), he immediately gives thanks to God because there is a solution—Jesus Christ is the one who delivers him.

Paul acknowledges that, on his own, he cannot free himself from sin’s grip. His human nature still battles against God’s law, and he feels the weight of that struggle. But he doesn’t stay in despair. He lifts his eyes to Jesus, the one who rescues him.

This verse makes two key points:

1. The answer to the struggle with sin is found in Jesus. Paul recognizes that only Jesus can provide true deliverance from sin and its effects.
2. The struggle with sin continues, even for believers. Paul describes how, in his mind, he desires to follow God’s law, but his sinful nature still fights against it. This does not mean he is defeated, but it acknowledges the reality that Christians still battle sin until they are fully redeemed in eternity.

This verse marks a turning point. While Romans 7 describes the frustration of battling sin, Romans 8 begins with a triumphant declaration: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1).

Historical Context

Paul was writing to both Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome. Many of the Jewish Christians had grown up trying to obey the Mosaic Law, believing that righteousness came through their own effort. But Paul had shown them that even with the best intentions, human nature is still sinful and incapable of perfectly keeping God’s law.

Gentile believers may not have had the same background, but they also understood the difficulty of resisting temptation. Before coming to Christ, they had lived in sin without much thought, but now they were aware of God’s standards and struggled to live accordingly.

Paul himself had personally experienced this tension. Before meeting Jesus, he had been a Pharisee, zealous for the law (Philippians 3:5-6). But even then, he later realized that he was still enslaved to sin. Only through Jesus did he find freedom.

Theological Implications

This verse highlights several important spiritual truths:

1. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone. Paul does not say he found a technique or method to overcome sin—he found a person, Jesus, who delivers him.
2. Even saved believers still struggle with sin. The battle does not end at conversion. However, in Christ, believers have victory over sin’s power.
3. There are two competing forces within a believer. Paul acknowledges that his mind desires to obey God, but his flesh (sinful nature) still resists. This is the daily Christian struggle.
4. Deliverance is both a present and future reality. Jesus has already set believers free from sin’s power, but they still await the final redemption of their bodies (Romans 8:23).

This verse reminds believers that, while they may still struggle, the war has already been won through Christ.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s wording in this verse is powerful and structured for emphasis:

• “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” – This is an outburst of gratitude. Paul has spent the previous verses describing his struggle, but now he shifts to praise because he knows where his hope lies.
• “I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” – Paul summarizes the tension: the mind desires obedience, but the sinful nature resists. He does not justify sin, but he acknowledges the reality of the struggle.

This verse serves as a transition from the despair of Romans 7 to the victory of Romans 8.

Biblical Cross-References

• Romans 6:18 – “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Believers are no longer enslaved to sin, but they still battle it.)
• Galatians 5:17 – “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (The struggle between the Spirit and the sinful nature.)
• Romans 8:2 – “Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Jesus sets believers free from sin’s power.)
• Philippians 3:20-21 – “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Believers will one day be fully delivered from sin.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Many Christians feel discouraged by their ongoing struggle with sin. They might ask, If I am truly saved, why do I still fail? Paul’s words in this verse offer reassurance.

The struggle with sin is real, but Jesus is the solution. Believers do not have to live in despair or condemnation. Even though sin is still present, they have been rescued through Jesus Christ.

This verse also teaches that believers must depend on Jesus daily. The battle against sin is not won by self-effort but by relying on Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

For modern Christians, this verse encourages them to shift their focus from the struggle to the Savior. Instead of being overwhelmed by sin’s presence, they can rejoice in Jesus’ victory.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the fact that He does not leave His people in their struggle. Even though believers still battle sin, He provides deliverance through Jesus.

This verse also highlights God’s grace. He does not demand perfection but offers rescue to those who trust in Him. Even when believers fail, His love remains constant.

God’s love is not just about forgiveness; it is about freedom. He does not merely cover sin—He breaks its power so that believers can walk in newness of life.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the central focus of this verse:

• Jesus is the one who delivers. Paul does not say “I rescued myself” but “God delivers me through Jesus Christ.” Salvation is entirely Christ’s work.
• Jesus breaks the power of sin. Even though sin is still present, it no longer has ultimate control over believers (Romans 6:14).
• Jesus guarantees future freedom from sin. One day, believers will be completely free from sin’s presence when they are glorified with Christ (1 John 3:2).

Paul’s desperate cry in Romans 7:24 is answered with confidence in Jesus Christ, the only true deliverer.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever felt the struggle Paul describes in Romans 7? How did this verse encourage you?
2. What does it mean to be “rescued” by Jesus? How does that affect your daily walk with God?
3. Why is it important to recognize that salvation is not about self-effort but about depending on Jesus?
4. How does knowing that the battle with sin is temporary give you hope?
5. What practical steps can you take to focus on Christ’s victory instead of your struggles with sin?

This verse is a powerful reminder that, while the struggle with sin is real, Jesus Christ is the answer. Believers are not meant to live in guilt and frustration but in the freedom and victory that come through Him.