The Inner Conflict: Law, Sin, and the Flesh
Romans 7:7-25
7
What then shall we say? Is the law sin? By no means! Yet I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known coveting unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”
Rom.7.7 - Details
Original Text
Τι ουν ερουμεν;ο νομος αμαρτια;μη γενοιτο·αλλα την αμαρτιαν ουκ εγνων ει μη δια νομου,την τε γαρ επιθυμιαν ουκ ηδειν ει μη ο νομος ελεγεν·Ουκ επιθυμησεις·
Morphology
- Τι: PRON,nom,sg,neut
- ουν: CONJ
- ερουμεν: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,pl
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- νομος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- μη: PART
- γενοιτο·αλλα: VERB,aor,mid,opt,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αμαρτιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εγνων: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- δια: PREP
- νομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- τε: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- επιθυμιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ηδειν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- νομος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ελεγεν·Ουκ: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- επιθυμησεις·: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 5:21 (quotation): The Old Testament command 'You shall not covet' is the direct citation Paul invokes as the law that makes covetousness (epithumia) known.
- Exodus 20:17 (quotation): The original formulation of the tenth commandment in the Decalogue, which Paul echoes when saying the law declared 'You shall not covet.'
- Romans 3:20 (verbal): Paul elsewhere states that 'through the law comes the knowledge of sin,' a closely related verbal/theological claim to Romans 7:7 that the law reveals sin.
- Galatians 3:19-24 (structural): Paul explains the purpose of the law as to reveal transgression and act as a guardian/tutor until Christ, echoing Romans 7:7's point that the law makes sinful desire known.
- James 1:14-15 (thematic): James links inward desire (epithumia) to the progression from temptation to sin and death, thematically paralleling Paul's focus on desire being identified as sin through the law.
Alternative generated candidates
- What then shall we say? Is the law sin? By no means! Rather, I would not have known coveting except through the law. For I would not have known desire if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'
- What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Yet I would not have known sin except by the law. For I would not have known coveting if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”
8
But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. Apart from the law sin was dead.
Rom.7.8 - Details
Original Text
αφορμην δε λαβουσα η αμαρτια δια της εντολης κατειργασατο εν εμοι πασαν επιθυμιαν,χωρις γαρ νομου αμαρτια νεκρα.
Morphology
- αφορμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- λαβουσα: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εντολης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κατειργασατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- πασαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- επιθυμιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- χωρις: PREP,gen
- γαρ: PART
- νομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- νεκρα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Rom.7.7 (verbal): Immediately preceding verse: Paul explicitly connects the commandment with awareness of covetousness—'I would not have known covetousness except the law said…'—supporting the claim that the law occasions desire.
- Rom.5.13 (thematic): Discusses sin’s status relative to the law ('sin was in the world before the law… sin is not imputed when there is no law'), thematically related to Rom.7:8’s claim that 'without law sin was dead.'
- Gal.3.19 (thematic): Explains the purpose of the law ('it was added because of transgressions'), echoing Paul’s idea that the law reveals or provokes sin rather than neutralizing it.
- James 1:14-15 (thematic): Describes the process by which desire leads to sin and then to death ('each person is tempted… desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death'), paralleling Rom.7:8’s language of sin producing desire and the lethal outcome of sin.
- 1 Cor.15.56 (verbal): States 'the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law,' a pithy formulation that complements Rom.7:8’s link between law and sin’s operative power.
Alternative generated candidates
- But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law sin is dead.
- But sin, seizing the opportunity provided by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. Apart from the law sin was dead.
9
I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.
Rom.7.9 - Details
Original Text
εγω δε εζων χωρις νομου ποτε·ελθουσης δε της εντολης η αμαρτια ανεζησεν,
Morphology
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- δε: CONJ
- εζων: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,sg
- χωρις: PREP,gen
- νομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ποτε·ελθουσης: ADV+PART,aor,gen,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εντολης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ανεζησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Romans 7:8–11 (structural): Immediate context: develops the same argument that the commandment aroused sin, which led to death—verse 9 is part of this unit and echoes the same cause-effect sequence (commandment → sin alive → death).
- 1 Corinthians 15:56 (verbal): States that 'the power of sin is the law' (or 'the strength of sin is the law'), paralleling Romans 7:9’s idea that the commandment/law activates sin and results in death.
- Galatians 3:19–22 (allusion): Explains the law’s function as added because of transgressions and describes Scripture’s holding everything under sin until the promise—parallels Paul’s theme that the law exposes/arouses sin and its deadly effect.
- James 1:14–15 (thematic): Describes a process by which desire conceives sin and sin, when fully grown, brings forth death—echoes Romans 7:9’s linkage of sin’s activation by an external stimulus (the commandment) and its deadly consequence.
- Romans 6:14 (thematic): Contrasts being 'not under law but under grace' with the present verse’s claim about being 'alive apart from the law' and how coming under the commandment let sin reign—both passages treat the law’s relationship to sin and dominion.
Alternative generated candidates
- I was once alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.
- I was once alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin came to life and I died.
10
And the commandment, which was intended to bring life, I found to bring death.
Rom.7.10 - Details
Original Text
εγω δε απεθανον,και ευρεθη μοι η εντολη η εις ζωην αυτη εις θανατον·
Morphology
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- δε: CONJ
- απεθανον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- ευρεθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εντολη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- ζωην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- θανατον·: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 7:9-11 (verbal): Immediate context: repeats the same sequence—being 'alive' until the commandment came, then 'I died' and sin, through the commandment, worked death (the same verb and idea continued in 7:10-11).
- Galatians 2:19 (thematic): Paul states he 'through the law died to the law' so that he might live to God—echoes the motif of death in relation to the commandment/law in Rom 7:10.
- Genesis 2:16-17 (allusion): God's command to Adam that eating would bring death links a command given 'unto life' turning into condemnation and death—parallels the paradox of a life‑giving command found to bring death in Romans 7:10.
- 1 Corinthians 15:56 (thematic): 'The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law' associates the law with sin's deadly effect, resonating with Rom 7:10's claim that the commandment, though related to life, proved unto death.
Alternative generated candidates
- The commandment that was meant to bring life proved to bring death to me.
- And the commandment that was meant to bring life proved to bring death to me.
11
For sin, taking advantage of the commandment, deceived me and by it put me to death.
Rom.7.11 - Details
Original Text
η γαρ αμαρτια αφορμην λαβουσα δια της εντολης εξηπατησεν με και δι᾽αυτης απεκτεινεν.
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γαρ: PART
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αφορμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- λαβουσα: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εντολης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εξηπατησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- δι᾽αυτης: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,f
- απεκτεινεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Gen.2:17 (allusion): The divine command in Eden ('you shall not eat') is the paradigmatic 'commandment' by which sin deceives and brings death—Paul echoes this origin to explain how law provides the occasion for sin.
- Rom.5:12 (thematic): States the basic link between sin and death ('sin entered... death through sin'), underpinning Paul's claim that sin, working through the commandment, results in death.
- Rom.5:20 (verbal): Declares that the law came in so that transgression might increase—closely related to Paul’s idea that the commandment gives sin opportunity and thus exposes human vulnerability.
- 1 Cor.15:56 (verbal): Speaks of the power/strength of sin in relation to the law ('the sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law'), reflecting the same paradox that the law enables sin's deadly effect.
- James 1:14-15 (thematic): Describes the inner process whereby desire/begetting leads to sin and death—paralleling Paul's depiction of sin deceiving and killing when it seizes the commandment as its occasion.
Alternative generated candidates
- For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me and by it killed me.
- For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me and by it slew me.
12
So then the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
Rom.7.12 - Details
Original Text
ωστε ο μεν νομος αγιος,και η εντολη αγια και δικαια και αγαθη.
Morphology
- ωστε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μεν: PART
- νομος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αγιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εντολη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αγια: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- δικαια: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αγαθη: ADJ,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Psalm 19:7 (allusion): Praises the law as perfect/reviving and trustworthy—an OT affirmation of the law's goodness and holiness that Paul echoes in asserting the law's intrinsic holiness and goodness.
- 1 Timothy 1:8-9 (verbal): States directly that 'the law is good' when used properly, echoing Paul's defense that the law itself is holy and good despite its role in revealing sin.
- Romans 7:14 (verbal): Immediately adjacent verse in the same argument: 'for we know that the law is spiritual'—expands on 7:12's claim about the law's holy character.
- Romans 3:31 (thematic): Affirms that faith does not nullify the law but upholds it, resonating with Paul’s insistence here that the law is holy and rightly valued.
- Matthew 5:17 (thematic): Jesus' declaration that he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it supports the New Testament theme that the law retains moral/holy authority—parallel to Paul's statement about the law's goodness.
Alternative generated candidates
- So then the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
- So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
13
Did what is good then become death to me? Certainly not! Rather, it was sin, in order that sin might be shown to be sin by producing death through what is good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
Rom.7.13 - Details
Original Text
Το ουν αγαθον εμοι εγενετο θανατος;μη γενοιτο·αλλα η αμαρτια,ινα φανη αμαρτια δια του αγαθου μοι κατεργαζομενη θανατον·ινα γενηται καθ᾽υπερβολην αμαρτωλος η αμαρτια δια της εντολης.
Morphology
- Το: ART,nom,sg,n
- ουν: CONJ
- αγαθον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- θανατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μη: PART
- γενοιτο·αλλα: VERB,aor,opt,mid,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- φανη: VERB,aor,pas,sub,3,sg
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αγαθου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- κατεργαζομενη: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,sg,f
- θανατον·ινα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- γενηται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- καθ᾽υπερβολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αμαρτωλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εντολης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Romans 5:20 (structural): Paul’s earlier claim that the law was added so that trespass might increase parallels the argument here that the commandment exposes and exacerbates sin—law’s function in Paul’s theology is to make sin manifest and consequential.
- Romans 3:20 (verbal): ‘Through the law comes knowledge of sin’ echoes the idea that the commandment reveals sin’s character and operation (sin working death through the good commandment).
- Romans 6:23 (thematic): The statement that ‘the wages of sin is death’ corresponds directly to Rom 7:13’s assertion that sin, through the commandment, produces death—linking sin’s nature to its deadly consequence.
- James 1:15 (verbal): James’ image of desire conceiving and sin giving birth to death closely parallels Paul’s causal language (sin producing or working death), sharing the physiological metaphor of generation leading to death.
- Romans 8:2 (thematic): The contrast of the ‘law of the Spirit of life’ with the ‘law of sin and death’ in Rom 8 echoes Rom 7:13’s linking of sin, law/commandment, and death—Paul’s larger dialectic about law, sin, and life.
Alternative generated candidates
- Did what is good then become death to me? By no means! Rather, it was sin so that sin might be shown to be sin; through the commandment sin worked all the more to bring death, so that by the commandment sin became exceedingly sinful.
- Did what is good then become death to me? Certainly not! Rather it was sin, that it might be shown to be sin, which brought about death in me through what is good, so that by the commandment sin became exceedingly sinful.
14
For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.
Rom.7.14 - Details
Original Text
Οιδαμεν γαρ οτι ο νομος πνευματικος εστιν·εγω δε σαρκινος ειμι,πεπραμενος υπο την αμαρτιαν.
Morphology
- Οιδαμεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,pl
- γαρ: PART
- οτι: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- νομος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πνευματικος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν·εγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg+PRON,nom,1,sg
- δε: CONJ
- σαρκινος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- πεπραμενος: PART,perf,pass,nom,sg,m
- υπο: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αμαρτιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Rom.7.18 (verbal): Direct continuation/parallel within the same context: Paul again identifies the problem as rooted in the flesh (‘in me, that is, in my flesh’), echoing ‘I am carnal.’
- Rom.6.16-19 (verbal): Close thematic and verbal parallel about being servants/sold under sin (yielding to sin’s service), connecting ‘sold under sin’ with Paul’s teaching on slavery to sin vs obedience to righteousness.
- Rom.8.5-8 (thematic): Contrasts minding the flesh with minding the Spirit; develops the consequence of being ‘carnal’ (fleshly mindset cannot please God), expanding the flesh–spirit tension of 7:14.
- Gal.5.16-17 (thematic): The opposition of flesh and Spirit—‘walk by the Spirit’ and the flesh’s enmity toward the Spirit—echoes the struggle implied in ‘I am carnal, sold under sin.’
- 2 Cor.3.6-8 (thematic): Paul’s contrast between the ministry of the Spirit and the letter (which kills) relates to ‘the law is spiritual’ in 7:14 and the deeper problem that the flesh cannot fully bear the law’s demands.
Alternative generated candidates
- For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.
- For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.
15
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
Rom.7.15 - Details
Original Text
ο γαρ κατεργαζομαι ου γινωσκω·ου γαρ ο θελω τουτο πρασσω,αλλ᾽ο μισω τουτο ποιω.
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- κατεργαζομαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- ου: PART,neg
- γινωσκω·ου: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θελω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- πρασσω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- αλλ᾽ο: CONJ
- μισω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ποιω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Romans 7:18-20 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same thought: Paul explicitly states the same paradox (‘I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want’) and develops the language of inward contradiction.
- Romans 7:21-25 (structural): Continues the inner legal/metaphorical argument begun in v.15, framing the conflict as a ‘‘law’’ and culminating in the cry for deliverance through Christ.
- Galatians 5:17 (thematic): Describes the same inner conflict in ethical terms: desires of the flesh are opposed to the Spirit, causing mutual opposition and thwarted intention.
- Matthew 26:41 (thematic): Jesus’ warning that ‘the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak’ parallels Paul’s observation about willing to do good but being unable in practice.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I do not understand my own actions: for I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
- For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
16
If, then, I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good.
Rom.7.16 - Details
Original Text
ει δε ο ου θελω τουτο ποιω,συμφημι τω νομω οτι καλος.
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- θελω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ποιω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- συμφημι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- νομω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- καλος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Rom.7.15 (verbal): Same confession of inner conflict—"I do not do the good I want"—repeating the language and situation that leads Paul to agree the law is good.
- Rom.7.12 (verbal): Directly affirms the character of the law—Paul's agreement that the law is good echoes the earlier statement that the law is holy and righteous.
- Rom.7.18 (thematic): Develops the cause of the dilemma: the presence of sinful flesh explains why one does what one does not want, continuing the theme of incapacity to carry out the good.
- Gal.5.17 (thematic): Describes the same inner antagonism—desires of the flesh oppose the Spirit, so believers do things contrary to their true will, paralleling Paul's struggle.
- Jas.1.14-15 (thematic): Portrays how inward desire and temptation lead to sinful action contrary to right intention, echoing the motif of willing one thing but doing another.
Alternative generated candidates
- If then I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good.
- Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good.
17
So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
Rom.7.17 - Details
Original Text
νυνι δε ουκετι εγω κατεργαζομαι αυτο αλλα η οικουσα εν εμοι αμαρτια.
Morphology
- νυνι: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- ουκετι: ADV
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- κατεργαζομαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- αλλα: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- οικουσα: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Rom.7:20 (verbal): Nearly identical phrasing within the same section: Paul repeats the formula 'it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me' to emphasize the inward power of sin over the willing self.
- Rom.7:18 (verbal): Close lexical and thematic link—'in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing' parallels the idea of a sinful power dwelling within the speaker.
- Gal.2:20 (verbal): Uses a similar 'not I but...' construction ('yet not I, but Christ liveth in me'), providing an intentional contrast to Rom.7.17’s 'not I but sin,' highlighting two rival indwelling powers.
- Gal.5:17 (thematic): Describes the inner conflict between flesh and Spirit ('the flesh lusteth against the Spirit'), thematically paralleling Paul's experience of unwilling actions driven by sin within.
- 1 John 1:8 (thematic): Affirms the reality of indwelling sin ('If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves'), resonating with Paul's confession that sin dwells within him and acts apart from his willing self.
Alternative generated candidates
- So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
- So then it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
18
For I know that nothing good dwells in me—that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do good is with me, but how to perform the good I find not.
Rom.7.18 - Details
Original Text
οιδα γαρ οτι ουκ οικει εν εμοι,τουτ᾽εστιν εν τη σαρκι μου,αγαθον·το γαρ θελειν παρακειται μοι,το δε κατεργαζεσθαι το καλον ου·
Morphology
- οιδα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- γαρ: PART
- οτι: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οικει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- τουτ᾽εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- αγαθον·το: ADJ,nom,sg,neut
- γαρ: PART
- θελειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- παρακειται: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- κατεργαζεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- καλον: ADJ,nom/acc,sg,neut
- ου·: PART
Parallels
- Romans 7:15-20 (structural): Immediate context: the same first‑person confession of inability to do what is right—repetition and expansion of the struggle between willing and doing.
- Galatians 5:17 (thematic): Describes the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit—explains why the believer’s will to do good is opposed by fleshly desires.
- Romans 8:7-8 (thematic): Speaks of the mind set on the flesh being hostile to God and unable to submit to God’s law, paralleling Paul’s diagnosis of inward inability to perform good.
- Ephesians 2:1-3 (thematic): Portrays humanity’s former condition under the control of fleshly passions and sinful desires, accounting for the inability to do good apart from divine intervention.
- Jeremiah 17:9 (allusion): The prophet’s remark on the deceitfulness/corruption of the heart resonates with Paul’s claim about an inner moral incapacity to produce good.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for I can will what is right, but I cannot carry it out.
- For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do right is present with me, but how to perform the good I do not find.
19
For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want—that I keep on doing.
Rom.7.19 - Details
Original Text
ου γαρ ο θελω ποιω αγαθον,αλλα ο ου θελω κακον τουτο πρασσω.
Morphology
- ου: PART,neg
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θελω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ποιω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- αγαθον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- θελω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- κακον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- πρασσω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Romans 7:15 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same pericope: Paul confesses doing what he does not want, using nearly identical terminology and structure to describe the inward conflict.
- Romans 7:20 (verbal): Continues the same argument—when the wrong is done it is not the 'I' but the sin that dwells in him—reinforcing the language of unwilling action.
- Galatians 5:17 (thematic): Describes the same inner conflict between flesh and Spirit—contrasting desires lead to doing what one does not want, similar to Paul's portrayal of antagonistic powers within the believer.
- James 4:17 (thematic): States the moral principle that knowing the good and failing to do it is sin, echoing Paul’s admission of failure to will and do the good he desires.
- 1 John 1:8 (thematic): Warns against self-deception about sin ('if we say we have no sin'), resonating with Paul’s candid confession of ongoing sinful conduct despite his will.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the good I would do, I do not; but the evil I would not do, that I do.
- For the good I want, I do not do; but the evil I do not want, that I practice.
20
If then I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
Rom.7.20 - Details
Original Text
ει δε ο ου θελω τουτο ποιω,ουκετι εγω κατεργαζομαι αυτο αλλα η οικουσα εν εμοι αμαρτια.
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- θελω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ποιω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ουκετι: ADV
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- κατεργαζομαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- αλλα: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- οικουσα: PTCP,pres,act,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Romans 7:15 (verbal): Immediate context: Paul describes the same paradox — doing what he does not want and hating what he does, expressing the involuntary nature of sinful action.
- Romans 7:18-19 (verbal): Continuation of the argument: Paul states that nothing good dwells in him and he does not do the good he wants, underscoring the impotency before indwelling sin.
- Galatians 5:17 (thematic): Speaks of the inward conflict between flesh and Spirit — analogous theme of competing inward forces that lead to unwilling sinful actions.
- Galatians 2:20 (structural): Presents a contrasting formula: 'no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me,' offering the Pauline antidote to the condition expressed in Rom 7:20 (where 'sin dwells in me').
- John 8:34 (thematic): Jesus' statement that those who sin are slaves to sin parallels Paul’s picture of sin as a controlling, indwelling power that determines action.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
- Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21
So I find it to be a rule: when I want to do good, evil is present with me.
Rom.7.21 - Details
Original Text
Ευρισκω αρα τον νομον τω θελοντι εμοι ποιειν το καλον οτι εμοι το κακον παρακειται·
Morphology
- Ευρισκω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- αρα: PART
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- νομον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θελοντι: PART,pres,act,dat,m,sg
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- ποιειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- καλον: ADJ,nom/acc,sg,neut
- οτι: CONJ
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- κακον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- παρακειται·: VERB,pres,mp,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Romans 7:15 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same argument: Paul confesses doing what he does not want and not doing what he wants—same struggle of willing good but failing.
- Romans 7:23 (verbal): Close verbal parallel—Paul identifies an internal 'law' of sin in his members that wars against the law of his mind, echoing the presence of evil when he wills the good.
- Galatians 5:17 (thematic): Summarizes the same conflict: the flesh desires contrary to the Spirit, so believers experience opposing wills and inability to carry out what is good apart from the Spirit.
- Romans 8:7-8 (thematic): Develops the theological implication: the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God and cannot please Him, explaining why the desire to do good is frustrated by the flesh.
- James 1:14-15 (thematic): Describes how inward desires lead to sin and death—connects to Paul's observation that an inner principle (sinful inclination) produces evil even when one wills good.
Alternative generated candidates
- I find then a law: when I desire to do good, evil is present with me.
- I find then a law: when I desire to do good, evil is present with me.
22
For I delight in the law of God inwardly,
Rom.7.22 - Details
Original Text
συνηδομαι γαρ τω νομω του θεου κατα τον εσω ανθρωπον,
Morphology
- συνηδομαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- γαρ: PART
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- νομω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- κατα: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- εσω: ADV
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Psalm 119:47 (verbal): Expresses the same delight in God's law ('I will delight in your statutes'); echoes Paul's joy in the law despite struggle.
- Psalm 40:8 (LXX/MT Psalm 40:8/7) (allusion): LXX/MT language about delighting in God's will/law and the law being within the heart; Paul echoes this intimacy with God's law 'according to the inward man.'
- Jeremiah 31:33 (thematic): God promises to put his law within (write it on) the heart—parallels Paul's focus on the law as an inward reality of the 'inner man.'
- Romans 7:23 (structural): Immediate contrast within the same passage: v.22 affirms delight in the law 'according to the inward man,' while v.23 describes 'another law' at war with that inward delight—together they frame Paul's inner conflict.
- Galatians 5:17 (thematic): Describes the inward conflict between two principles ('flesh' and 'Spirit')—parallels Paul's depiction of a divided inner life where desire for God's law coexists with opposing impulses.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I delight in the law of God according to my inner being.
- For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
23
but I see another law at work in my members, warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin that is in my members.
Rom.7.23 - Details
Original Text
βλεπω δε ετερον νομον εν τοις μελεσιν μου αντιστρατευομενον τω νομω του νοος μου και αιχμαλωτιζοντα με εν τω νομω της αμαρτιας τω οντι εν τοις μελεσιν μου.
Morphology
- βλεπω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ετερον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- νομον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μελεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- αντιστρατευομενον: PART,pres,mp,acc,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- νομω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- νοος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- αιχμαλωτιζοντα: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- νομω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αμαρτιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- οντι: PART,pres,act,dat,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μελεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- Romans 7:18-20 (verbal): Same immediate context: Paul speaks of 'nothing good dwelling in me' and the paradox 'what I want I do not do'—the language of 'in my flesh/members' and internal conflict culminates in 7:23's 'another law in my members.'
- Galatians 5:17 (thematic): Describes an internal conflict—'the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh'—parallel to Paul's image of opposing 'laws' within the believer waging war against each other.
- Romans 8:2 (verbal): Uses the contrastive legal language 'the law of the Spirit of life' versus 'the law of sin and death,' echoing 7:23's 'law of sin' and pointing toward Paul's resolution in chapter 8.
- James 1:14-15 (thematic): Attributes sin's power to an internal source—'each person is tempted when lured by his own desire,' which parallels Paul's description of a 'law' in the members that leads to captivity to sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I see another law at work in my members, warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
- But I see another law at work in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
24
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Rom.7.24 - Details
Original Text
ταλαιπωρος εγω ανθρωπος·τις με ρυσεται εκ του σωματος του θανατου τουτου;
Morphology
- ταλαιπωρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ανθρωπος·τις: NOUN,nom,sg,m+PRON,nom,sg
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ρυσεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σωματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θανατου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Rom.7.25 (structural): Immediate answer to 7:24 — Paul’s cry of wretchedness is followed directly by thanksgiving to God through Jesus Christ, providing the solution to the question 'Who will deliver me?'.
- Rom.8:1-4 (thematic): Develops the solution to the dilemma of the 'body of death' by describing deliverance in Christ: no condemnation for those in Christ and the Spirit’s life-setting believers free from the law of sin and death.
- Rom.6:6-11 (thematic): Earlier Pauline teaching about believers being reckoned dead to sin and alive to God; presents the ethical and soteriological framework for being delivered from the power of sin embodied in the 'body of death.'
- Gal.5:17 (thematic): Describes the inner conflict between flesh and Spirit (the flesh warring against the Spirit), echoing Paul’s depiction in Romans 7 of the struggle with sin within the human frame.
- 1 Cor.15:55-57 (thematic): Speaks of Christ’s victory over death and the final overthrow of death’s power — a broader eschatological answer to the question of deliverance from the 'body of death.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
- Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?
25
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with the flesh I serve the law of sin.
Rom.7.25 - Details
Original Text
χαρις τω θεω δια Ιησου Χριστου του κυριου ημων.Αρα ουν αυτος εγω τω μεν νοι δουλευω νομω θεου,τη δε σαρκι νομω αμαρτιας.
Morphology
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Αρα: CONJ
- ουν: CONJ
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- μεν: PART
- νοι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- δουλευω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- νομω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- νομω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- αμαρτιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
Parallels
- Rom.8:2 (verbal): Contrasts the "law of the Spirit of life" with the "law of sin and death," echoing Paul’s language of two laws (law of God/mind vs. law of sin/flesh).
- Rom.7:23 (structural): Immediate parallel within the chapter: Paul describes 'another law' in his members warring against the law of his mind, explicating the same inner conflict named in 7:25.
- Gal.5:17 (thematic): Describes the opposing struggle of flesh and Spirit—'the flesh lusts against the Spirit'—which parallels Paul’s depiction of serving God's law in the mind but sin’s law in the flesh.
- 1 Cor.15:57 (quotation): Uses the same thanksgiving formula—'But thanks be to God... through our Lord Jesus Christ'—paralleling the opening doxology of 7:25 that grounds Paul’s confession in Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
- Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh the law of sin.
What then shall we say? Is the law sin? By no means! Yet I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known coveting unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. Apart from the law sin was dead.
I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was intended to bring life, I found to bring death.
For sin, taking advantage of the commandment, deceived me and by it put me to death. So then the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
Did what is good then become death to me? Certainly not! Rather, it was sin, in order that sin might be shown to be sin by producing death through what is good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
If, then, I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
For I know that nothing good dwells in me—that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do good is with me, but how to perform the good I find not.
For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want—that I keep on doing.
If then I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. So I find it to be a rule: when I want to do good, evil is present with me.
For I delight in the law of God inwardly,
but I see another law at work in my members, warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin that is in my members.
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with the flesh I serve the law of sin.