Not a slave to sin
I am not satisfied yet, says the objector. The person who has sin in him is a slave to sin. Therefore you suppose a person to be justified while he is a slave to sin. Now if you allow that people may be justified while they have pride, anger, or unbelief in them, yes, if you affirm that these are, at least for a time, in all who are justified, what wonder is it that we have so many proud, angry, unbelieving believers?
I do not suppose that any justified person is a slave to sin. Yet I do suppose that sin remains, at least for a time, in all who are justified.
But if sin remains in a believer, he is a sinful man, they say. If pride, for instance, then he is proud. If self-will, then he is self-willed. If unbelief, then he is an unbeliever, and consequently no believer at all. How then does he differ from unbelievers, from people who have not been born of God?
1771 text
12. “I am not satisfied yet. He that has sin in him, is a slave to sin. Therefore you suppose a man to be justified, while he is a slave to sin. Now if you allow, men may be justified, while they have pride, anger or unbelief in them; nay if you aver, These are (at least, for a time) in all that are justified: what wonder that we have so many proud, angry, unbelieving believers?”
I do not suppose any man who is justified, is a slave to sin. Yet I do suppose, sin remains (at least for a time) in all that are justified. “But if sin remains in a believer, he is a sinful man: if pride, for instance, then he is proud: if self-will, then he is self-willed; if unbelief, then he is an unbeliever; consequently, no believer at all. How then does he differ from unbelievers, from unregenerate men?”
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 13 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 5:17.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.