What did Paul mean when he said 'I am carnal' in Romans 7:14?
Paul meant that in his pre-saved condition he was fleshly, sold under Adam, under the curse, and affected by the fall in the garden. Although the law is spiritual, God-given, and holy, it reveals that fallen man is carnal and separated from his Creator, even religious man.
Les explains that Romans 7:14 contrasts the spiritual law with carnal man. The law was written by the finger of God, supernaturally presented to Israel, holy, God-given, and therefore spiritual. Paul says he is carnal, meaning in his pre-saved condition he is fleshly and sold under old Adam. He is under the curse and the result of the fall in the garden. When Adam sinned, the whole human race was plunged under the curse and separated from the Creator. The law compounds sinfulness by revealing that everything fallen man does is sinful and contrary to the will of a holy God, so even a religious person was no different.
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.