Romans 7:14-25
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
I Agree The Law Is Good, But The Sin In Me Produces Behavior I Hate
14 For[a] we know that the Law is spiritual. But I am made-of-flesh[b], having been sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand[c] what[d] I am producing. For I am not practicing this which I am wanting, but I am doing this which I am hating. 16 But if I am doing this which I am not wanting, I am agreeing-with[e] the Law— that it is good. 17 And now I am no longer producing it, but the sin[f] dwelling in me is.
I Know I Am Not Good, For I Cannot Do The Good I Want To Do
18 For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. For the wanting is present in me, but the producing the good is not. 19 For I am not doing the good which I am wanting, but I am practicing this evil which I am not wanting. 20 But if I am doing this which I am not wanting, I am no longer producing it, but the sin[g] dwelling in me is.
So The Evil Inside Me Enslaves Me To The Law of Sin And Death In Me
21 I find then the law[h] in me, the one wanting to do the good, that the evil is present in me. 22 For I am rejoicing-with[i] the Law of God according-to[j] the inner person. 23 But I am seeing a different law in my body-parts waging-war-against[k] the law of my mind, and taking me captive[l] under the law of sin existing in my body-parts. 24 I am a wretched[m] person! Who will deliver me from this[n] body of [o] death? 25 But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself am serving the Law of God with the mind, but the law of sin with the flesh.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Romans 7:14 The purpose of v14-25 is to prove that sin is responsible for death, not the Law. Paul uses himself as an example, and scholars debate whether he has in view his experience as a Pharisee or a Christian (each view giving a different sense to ‘Law’ and ‘death’). What Paul says in these verses is true of anyone trying to live under law.
- Romans 7:14 That is, carnal, fleshly; or, human, of Adam’s race.
- Romans 7:15 Or, ‘acknowledge’ as representing his true desires.
- Romans 7:15 For example, this coveting, v 7.
- Romans 7:16 Or concurring-with.
- Romans 7:17 When God says not to do it, Paul agrees and does not want to do it, but sin produces it in him anyway. Thus it is sin, not God’s Law, that causes his death. The sin in him is against him and against God! How extremely sinful it truly is! This proves v 14b; Paul is under the dominion of sin.
- Romans 7:20 Good is not in him producing good, but sin is in him producing sin, and overcoming his inner desire to obey God’s good Law. This proves v 18.
- Romans 7:21 Or, the principle, the law of sin. v 23.
- Romans 7:22 Or, taking pleasure with, delighting in.
- Romans 7:22 Or with respect to.
- Romans 7:23 The law of sin’s control over Paul’s body fights and defeats his inner desires to obey.
- Romans 7:23 Or, making me prisoner.
- Romans 7:24 Or, miserable.
- Romans 7:24 Or, the body of this death.
- Romans 7:24 That is, characterized by.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
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