A close examination of Luther’s famous anthropological dictum simul iustus et peccator reveals that it stems from a faulty exegesis of Romans 7:13-25 and results in an errant anthropology, leading to false assurance, ineffective shepherding, and an unhelpful path to holiness.
Redeemed man is unarguably simul iustus et peccator (simultaneously justified and sinful), but is not simul iustus et peccator in the Romans 7:25 sense of Luther’s commentary, but perhaps simul iustus et gemens (simultaneously justified and groaning) per Romans 8:23, which comports with a new covenant anthropology (Jer. 31:31-34, Ez. 36:22-27) and leads to stronger assurance, better shepherding, and a more effective and encouraging path to holiness.
Simul iustus et peccator has described the anthropology of believers since the time of the later Augustine. Per this anthropology, the unbeliever is unable to keep the law and not even able to desire to do so. The unbeliever yields readily to sin without the slightest resistance (Luther). Accordingly, the believer, though supposedly free from sin’s power, is free only to desire righteousness, still somehow under the law of sin – i.e., Luther’s simul iustus et peccator, Calvin’s “half freedom,” and Owen’s Indwelling Sin. As a result of this errant anthropology, the line between unbeliever and believer has been blurred.
However, biblically speaking, the line is not so blurred. Only the Lord finally knows those who are His (II Tim. 2:19), but a tree is still known by its fruits (Mt. 7:15-20, Gal. 5:19-24). Prior to conversion, an unbeliever cannot fulfill God’s law, being dead in his sins with a heart of stone. But when a person comes to Christ, he becomes a new creation, free to actually fulfill God’s Law, albeit imperfectly (Rom. 5:12-8:17, 13:8-10). The believer begins bearing fruit for God, the fruit of God’s Spirit (Rom. 7:4-6, Gal. 5:22-24), which distinguishes him from the unbeliever, who remains in the flesh and sold under sin (Rom. 7:14) and a prisoner to the law of sin and death (Rom. 7:23), until set free by the Spirit through conversion (Rom. 8:2).
Clarifying that line will help believers be more assured of their salvation (I Jn. 3:19-22). In addition, this new covenant anthropology will aid pastors in shepherding their congregants as to the state of their souls, helping them to distinguish between unbelievers, who can only desire to obey God’s Law (Rom. 2:12-16, 7:13-25) and believers, who can fulfill it though imperfectly (Rom. 8:1-4, 13:8-10; Jas. 1:22-25). Finally, grasping this already freedom from sin’s power will help believers to work out their salvation with the confidence of a new creation, who habitually mortifies his flesh (Rom. 6:12-14, 8:12-13; Col. 3:5). Because sin’s ravaging presence remains, requiring not only daily mortification, but daily confession (Mt. 6:9-11, Jas. 5:16), intercession (Heb. 7:25, I Jn. 2:1-2), and groaning (Rom. 8:23), any hint of perfectionism is quickly dispelled.
Thus, this paper will: 1) exegete Romans 7:13-25; 2) demonstrate from that exegesis with Old Testament corroboration that unbelievers are able, at least, to desire to fulfill God’s Law, though not free to do so; 3) articulate an anthropology based on our new covenant freedom over sin’s power; and, 4) show how that aids parishioner and pastor alike to build Christ’s holy church.