Romans 7:14-25 -- Historical Present

Tommy Wilson (wilson@dbu.edu)
Fri, 25 Oct 96 11:10:15 -0500

I am interested in hearing some viewpoints on the present tense
verbs as well as the whole interpretation of Romans 7:14-25. In my
undergraduate work, my professor claimed Paul was describing his
pre-Christian experience in this passage with his major support for
such a view point being that the presents Paul used were historical
presents.

I am presently re-taking Greek as a refresher course at DTS with Dr.
Dan Wallace. In Dr. Wallace's recent grammar he points out that this
passage could not contain historical presents for the following
reasons:

1) Historical presents must occur in the 3rd person.
2) Historical presents occur in only in narrative passages.

He also puts a third qualifiaction that historical presents must
occur in the indicative mood of which has no real bearing with this
passage.

If you have Wallace's grammar, I believe his handling of historical
presents starts on p.526 or there about. It is also interesting to
note that Dr. Wallace puts in a footnote that he has actually held to
three different view points of this passage over the years.

Hopefully, I am not beating a dead horse which has already been
killed on this list, but if so I'll kick it one more time.

Unfotunately, I am referencing all the above from my memory which
acts up quite frequently (especially on Wallace's quizes) so please
excuse and correct any erroneous references.

Tommy Wilson email: wilson@dbu.edu
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