The law is the cause of this matter because the it requires a heavenly purity, but when men are born, they are bondslaves of corruption, which they willingly serve. (Geneva Bible Translation Notes)
In verse 14 we have the beginning of the "I" chorus where we discover the Apostle Paul sharing the daily struggle that takes place within us. With the law of our mind, we try to obey the law of God but the law of sin and death gives us only one choice. According to Wuest's Word Studies, Paul uses three words to describe mankind, "natural" (psuchikos ψυχικος), "carnal" (sarkinos σαρκινος), and “spiritual” pneumatikos (πνευματικος). The carnal man is unsaved and living by the latent power of the God created soul. The things of God are foolishness to him because he remains deceived by his abandonment to the sinful flesh. The carnal man is one who is saved but has yet to live by the power of the life giving Spirit and remains under control of his evil nature and may try to live a moral life in the power of the flesh (again the latent power of the soul) and is deceived into thinking that he is spiritual. Tyndale's Concise commentary calls this the walking-in-the-flesh approach to being righteous. The last is the spiritual man who is living in the fullness of the Spirit and recognizes that apart from the power of Christ in him he too will be deceived. He recognizes that he is engaged in a daily battle that will never end until the day he is called home to be with the Lord or Christ's return.
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. (NASB)
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (KJV)
So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. (NLT)
For we know that the law is spiritual — but I am unspiritual, sold into slavery to sin. (NET)
For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
(Ps 51:5 NLT)
πνευματικός
pneumatikós; fem. pneumatikḗ, neut. pneumatikón, adj. from pneúma (G4151), spirit. Spiritual.
(I) Pertaining to the nature of spirits. "A spiritual body" (1Co_15:44) means a body dominated by the Spirit, in contrast to a natural or soulish body (sṓma psuchikón [sṓma {G4983}, body; psuchikón {G5591}, pertaining to soul]) which obeys one's natural instincts or soul (The Complete Word Study, General Editor: Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D.)
It might be good to consider the reasons we suffer in the midst of the things of this fallen world system:
1. Our suffering may be caused by Satanic activity
But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?” (Luke 13:15-16 NLT)
And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38 NLT)
2. Suffering may be caused by ungodly men.
Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will pay him back for his deeds. (2 Timothy 4:14 NLT)
3. Suffering may be caused by this world’s system.
Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. (2 Peter 2:8 NLT)
4. Suffering may be caused by the believer’s own fallen nature. (Romans 7:14-23)
5. Suffering may be caused by carnal Christians.
It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. (Philippians 1:15-16 NLT)
Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10 NLT)
Thus it is our job to be combat ready for all of these situations as they arise so that we may carry on the commission that has been given to us—to make disciples! How are you doing? Are you living a life worthy of your calling? If not? What are you doing to allow Christ to have the victory in your life?