that some power outside himself forces him to sin?57 The metaphorical nature of Paul’s argument keeps it from moving in this direction. Although Paul has spoken of sin as a harsh and powerful person that conquerors territory (5:12), reigns over a kingdom (5:21; 6:12), holds slaves (6:6–7, 14–22), pays wages (6:23), and now settles down and makes its home in himself (cf. 7:20), this language is metaphorical. Sin was not actually a person in Paul’s thinking but was both concrete acts of disobedience