Why did Paul lament over sin?
Paul's lament over sin reflects humanity's universal struggle against an inherited sinful nature, a spiritual condition clarified by the Fall. This deep-seated corruption, not fully overcome by the cross alone, necessitates divine intervention. True liberation and new birth come through Jesus as True Father and the Holy Spirit as True Mother, cleansing the spiritual lineage to align humanity with God's original purpose and free us from Original Sin.
Paul's lament over sin is a profound theological cornerstone, revealing the universal human struggle against the pervasive nature of sin and humanity's inherent fallen state. This lament underscores the critical need for divine intervention, providing a framework for understanding the ultimate purpose of salvation and restoration. It highlights the internal conflict faced by individuals striving for righteousness and the transformative power required to overcome deeply rooted spiritual distortions.
The Biblical Foundation
Paul’s letters are replete with expressions of distress concerning the pervasive nature of sin, even within his own being. In Romans 7, he meticulously articulates this internal battle, stating, "So then I of myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin" (Romans 7:25). This powerful confession reveals a fundamental disjunction between his conscious will, aimed at righteousness, and a powerful, almost involuntary, inclination towards transgression. This "law of sin" is not merely an external temptation but an internal compulsion, deeply embedded within human nature. Saint John also confessed in 1 John 1:8-10 that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and his Word is not in us. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Paul’s lament is not a cry of despair over occasional missteps but a profound recognition of a fundamental spiritual condition. Paul's words teach that the cross brought spiritual salvation, and therefore he lamented his inability to prevent sin from infiltrating his flesh. This confirms that even after the grace of redemption by the cross, there is something more to come; belief in the cross does not entirely free us of our Original Sin or completely restore us. His poignant cry, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24), encapsulates the human predicament before divine grace. This is not merely a personal lament but a universal human cry for liberation from an intrinsic spiritual bondage that affects all of humankind. The inability of human effort or adherence to law to transcend this condition points inexorably to the necessity of a divine solution.
Divine Principle's Clarification
The depth of Paul’s lament is explained by the Fall of Man. Human beings, through the Fall, not only committed individual transgressions but also subjected themselves to a profound spiritual death, inheriting a sinful nature. Sin did not originate from God but from an illicit spiritual and physical act during humanity’s growth period. Specifically, the Fall created a set of illicit relationships, centering the four position foundation on Satan and leading to the adoption of a selfish and vicious character. This made it possible for Satan to gain ownership of the entire world, dominating hell on earth. This act of disobedience and impure love led to the inheritance of Original Sin by all humanity, creating a spiritual separation from God. This Original Sin is not merely a series of individual wrongdoings but a fundamental distortion of human nature, a spiritual lineage tainted by the impure love and disobedience of the first human ancestors.
This reality of Original Sin explains the "law of sin" that Paul felt dwelling within him. It is why sin is not simply a matter of choice or environment but a deep-seated, inherited propensity that predisposes humanity towards evil, hindering the fulfillment of God’s benevolent purpose. The Fall did not merely introduce particular sins; it fundamentally corrupted the lineage and nature of humanity, creating a spiritual "body of death" from which divine intervention is the only recourse. This inherited condition manifests as a persistent struggle against one's higher aspirations, a constant pull towards self-centeredness and distorted love, echoing Paul's confession of doing "the very thing I hate."
Understanding the Deeper Meaning
Paul’s lament thus transcends personal struggle to become a diagnostic insight into the human condition. His fervent longing for deliverance from the inherited sinful nature is a spiritual cry that reverberates through history. We need to be reborn through sinless parents, as Jesus said in John 3. Jesus, as the True Father, came to give us rebirth spiritually and physically, but a True Mother is also needed. The Holy Spirit fulfills the True Mother’s position, giving new life to reborn believers through the Holy Mother Church. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:17). Christians are reborn when they come to Jesus through the Holy Spirit, becoming children of goodness, free from Original Sin. Paul said, "We don't know what is going to come, but we know one thing: we will be like Him," referring to our restoration to the status of Jesus after fulfilling the purpose of creation. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).
Paul's lament, therefore, serves as a powerful testament to the inescapable need for salvation and renewal—not just from the consequences of individual sins, but from the inherited spiritual corruption at the very core of human existence. It highlights that true liberation comes through a fundamental cleansing of the heart and lineage, allowing humanity to finally align its will with God's and fulfill its original purpose.
Living the Principle
1. Acknowledge and strive to overcome inherited tendencies towards self-centeredness. 2. Cultivate a spirit of sincere repentance for both personal and collective sin. 3. Actively practice true love and service to others, guided by God’s original ideals. 4. Strive to elevate one’s conscience and align actions with universal moral principles.
These answers explain the Bible in the light of the Divine Principle, the teachings of Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Read about the author, Sun Myung Moon.
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Sources and further reading
- The Holy Bible, King James Version — Scripture quoted and referenced throughout the answers.
- The Divine Principle (full text) — The complete text of the Divine Principle, the teaching of Reverend Sun Myung Moon that these answers explain.
- Unification texts library (tparents.org) — Large online library of Unification texts, sermons and collected speeches, including the Cheon Seong Gyeong.
- Short video lectures in English — Playlist of short English video lectures presenting these same principles.