Romans 7: A Paraphrase and I Believe in the Holy Spirit

In the two Scriptural commentaries presented in this book, Kohlbrgge provides the reader with a deep understanding of the work of God for and in the believer. In his commentary on the work of the Holy Spirit, Kohlbrgge emphasizes that God is also the God of personal sanctification. With these two works combined Kohlbrgge can be understood as furthering the Reformation in the area of sanctification without diminishing the central importance of the authority, power and effectiveness of God's word, which justifies the ungodly. On December 7, 1833, Kohlbrugge preached in Elberfeld on Romans 7:14, For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. He exclaimed upon the discovery of the meaning of this verse, I do not know whether anything else in my life has ever moved me as much as the noticing of this...: 'I am carnal-comma-sold under sin.' This indicated to Kohlbrgge that his ego was carnal (fleshly), and remained carnally sold under sin, also after conversion. The spiritual insights into the Word of God gained in this discovery, as first expressed in his biblical and experiential paraphrase of Romans Seven, marked the rest of Kohlbrgge's life and writings. How these spiritual realities occur and continue to be experienced is exposed in his commentary on the article of the Apostles' Creed, I Believe in the Holy Spirit, presented in this book as well. This little work, which Kohlbrgge wrote towards the end of his life, can be understood as the final fruit and consequence of his deep insight into Romans Seven and his desire to further the Reformation in the life of the Church of God.