14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (Romans 7:14 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Still observe, How Apostle Paul goes on to assert the purity and spirituality of the law of God: The law is spiritual; spiritual in the author of it, God, who is a Holy Spirit; spiritual in the matter of it, requiring perfect purity both of heart and life.
Learn hence, That the moral law of God is in the nature of it purely spiritual, perfectly holy, being breathed forth by the Holy Spirit of God, and requires perfect purity both of heart and life, and perfect conformity to it, both in the inward and outward man.
Hence some derive the word which we translate law, from a root which signifies to behold and consider, to contemplate and look about: Intimating thereby that the holy and spiritual law of God is diligently to be observed and considered, looked into, and mediated upon; it is so perfectly pure and holy that it requires not only the purity of our actions but also the integrity of our very faculties, our hearts and natures.
So may, 1. every unregenerate man truly say, I am carnal, having not only flesh in me, but prevailing in me, sin having a regency and dominion over me: he fights under the banner of corrupt nature, acting in a willing, ready, and full subjection to sin, and compliance with it; he is carnal, being under the power and unbroken strength of carnal lusts, and sensual propensions, and following them in the daily course of his life.
2. I am carnal, may a regenerate person truly say,
1. With respect to that exact purity and spirituality both of heart and life; which the holy law of God requires; the law is spiritual, but I, alas! compared with the spiritual law, am but a lump of corruption, coming infinitely short, God knows, of that uprightness and spirituality which the law of God requires.
2. A regenerate person may truly say he is carnal, that is, in part, in part so, having much, too much carnality in his carnal affections found with him, and carnal infirmities cleaving to him:
Those who are truly acquainted with the spirituality of the word and law of God, and also well acquainted with their own hearts, do see sufficient cause to complain of carnal corruption abiding in them and cleaving to them. I am carnal, have said, and may say, the holiest of saints, with respect to the perfect measure and degrees of holiness.
Thus that holy and blessed martyr, Mr. Bradford, complains, styling himself the heard-hearted, unbelieving, earthly-minded Bradford; yet was a man of a very tender spirit, full of faith, fruitful in good works, and exceedingly mortified to the world. Do you groan under the burden of indwelling corruption? know, that the whole spiritual creation groans and travails in pain together with you until now: But blessed be God for the hopes of a deliverer and a deliverance.
This phrase is borrowed from bondmen or captives, some of which are sold and others sell themselves into captivity. The unregenerate man, like Ahab, sells himself to work wickedness. This denotes willfulness and obstinacy; such a person does prostitute himself to the lust of Satan: A regenerate person does not, like Ahab, sell himself, but is sold, like Joseph by his brethren, and Sampson by his wife; being rather passive than active: He is sometimes sin’s captive, but never sin’s slave; he is never sin’s willing servant, but sometimes its unwilling prisoner.
The holiest and best of saints, though not held in wilful slavery, thraldom and bondage unto sin, yet corruption holds them too much, though in part unwillingly, under the tyranny of sin; they do not yield to sin, as good subjects yield to their lawful prince, voluntary obedience; but as captives yield to a tyrant, paying him involuntary subjection. His soul is betrayed, says one, by corruption to temptation, and by temptation to corruption.