Romans 7 16

Romans 7:16 kjv

If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

Romans 7:16 nkjv

If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.

Romans 7:16 niv

And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

Romans 7:16 esv

Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.

Romans 7:16 nlt

But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good.

Romans 7 verses

Romans 7 16 Meaning

Romans 7:16 encapsulates the profound inner conflict experienced by a person whose actions betray their true desires. It reveals an "I" who, even while performing acts they morally disapprove of, simultaneously acknowledges and affirms the intrinsic goodness of God's Law. This means that the Law itself is not seen as the source of the problem, but rather the failure of the individual to uphold its righteous standard, thereby reinforcing the Law's moral authority and divine excellence.

Romans 7 16 Context

Romans chapter 7 meticulously explores the relationship between the Mosaic Law, sin, and the believer. Prior to verse 16, Paul establishes that the Law is not inherently sinful (v. 7), but rather it is "holy and righteous and good" (v. 12). Its purpose was to reveal sin and condemn it, exposing humanity's utter inability to fulfill God's standards on its own. Verses 14-25, including verse 16, dive into a dramatic, first-person narrative, articulating the struggle between the "I" who wills what is good and the "I" who is enslaved to sin, leading to actions contrary to his conscious desire. This intense internal conflict under the Law paves the way for the solution found in Christ in chapter 8, which emphasizes the liberating power of the Holy Spirit. Historically, Paul addresses both Jewish believers who esteemed the Law highly and Gentile believers who needed to understand the Law's divine origin but also its limitations in bringing salvation. He carefully disarms any idea that the Law is a problem while demonstrating its ultimate inability to free from sin's power.

Romans 7 16 Word analysis

• If (Εἰ - Ei): This is a conditional particle, introducing a premise. It presents a real, logical scenario being explored, rather than a hypothetical or uncertain one. It sets up the 'if this is true, then that is true' structure.
• I do (ποιῶ - poio): Present tense, active voice. It denotes a continuous or habitual action. It's not a single lapse but an ongoing experience of doing what is not desired, emphasizing the persistent nature of the struggle.
• what I do not want to do (ὃ οὐ θέλω τοῦτο):
  • ὃ (ho): Relative pronoun, "what" or "which."
  • οὐ (ou): Standard Greek negative particle, meaning "not." It negates the verb.
  • θέλω (thelō): "To will," "to desire," "to wish," "to intend." This word signifies an internal intention, an intellectual and moral disposition. The "I" here intellectually and morally desires not to do the act. This reveals a volitional struggle—the desire is against the action.
  • τοῦτο (touto): Demonstrative pronoun, "this." It refers back to the "what I do not want." This phrasing strongly emphasizes the direct conflict between desire and performance. The problem is the doing of this very thing that is against the will.
• I agree (συμφημὶ - symphēmi): This is a strong verb meaning "I say with," "I consent to," "I assent to," "I endorse." It implies full agreement and an internal verdict that aligns with the object of agreement. It's more than a passive acknowledgment; it's an active endorsement. The speaker aligns their judgment with the Law.
• the law (τῷ νόμῳ - tō nomō): Refers specifically to the Mosaic Law, the divinely given commandments of God. The definite article ("the") confirms this.
• is good (ὅτι καλός - hoti kalos):
  • ὅτι (hoti): Conjunction, "that" or "because." Here, it introduces the content of the agreement.
  • καλός (kalos): Means intrinsically good, morally excellent, beautiful, noble, upright, right. It denotes goodness in character, not merely functional utility. It contrasts sharply with the "evil" or "bad" actions the person commits, highlighting the Law's divine nature and righteousness.
• "If I do what I do not want to do": This phrase articulates the central paradox of this section. The subject's will (θέλω) is opposed to the action (ποιῶ) being performed. It highlights a duality within the person: an internal desire for good that is overridden by a contrary power, leading to unwanted behavior. This is crucial for understanding the nature of the "I" – it's someone with a conscience and an aspiration for righteousness, even if currently defeated by sin.
• "I agree that the law is good": This affirmation is vital. It demonstrates that despite the failure to keep the Law, the speaker holds it in high regard. The Law itself is exonerated. The struggle isn't with the Law's demands, which are perceived as right and excellent (καλός), but with the ability of the individual to meet those demands. This intellectual and moral assent suggests a regenerated mind, one that aligns with God's truth, even if the body or "flesh" (as explained in Rom 7:18) fails to cooperate fully.

Romans 7 16 Bonus section

The profound assertion in Romans 7:16—the affirmation of the Law's goodness even in personal failure—is a significant argument in the long-standing theological debate regarding the identity of the "I" in Romans 7 (unregenerate person vs. regenerate believer). For many scholars, this verse (and 7:22, "I delight in the law of God in my inner being") strongly suggests that the speaker possesses a renewed will, a mind that genuinely delights in and approves of God's perfect Law. An unregenerate person, fundamentally hostile to God, would not naturally give such sincere affirmation of the Law's goodness in the midst of their own disobedience, although a deeply conscience-stricken unregenerate individual might perceive the law's demands as just. This conscious agreement with the Law highlights a spiritual struggle that aligns the individual's highest aspirations with God's moral will, making a strong case for a Christian, though still battling indwelling sin, as the most likely speaker. It emphasizes that the believer's ongoing spiritual battle is not with the standard of God, but with the persistent power of sin within them.

Romans 7 16 Commentary

Romans 7:16 powerfully portrays the internal discord of a morally sensitive individual wrestling with sin, affirming that the "I" has not lost its moral compass, but rather struggles against a deeper compulsion. The very act of doing what one does not want to do paradoxically leads to an endorsement of the Law as "good." This acknowledgment elevates the Law to its rightful divine status, implying that the problem lies not with the commandment but with the human heart's fallen condition and its inability to perfectly adhere to it. The "I agree" (συμφημὶ) is not a reluctant concession but a firm declaration of assent, suggesting an internal alignment with God's righteousness, even amidst personal failure. This verse underscores the necessity of a greater power, later revealed as the Holy Spirit (Romans 8), to bridge the gap between willing the good and being able to perform it consistently. It serves to illustrate that a genuine desire for good and an appreciation for God's standards do not automatically translate into perfect obedience, thus leading to the ultimate cry for deliverance in Christ.