Romans 7:19 kjv
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Romans 7:19 nkjv
For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
Romans 7:19 niv
For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do?this I keep on doing.
Romans 7:19 esv
For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
Romans 7:19 nlt
I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
Romans 7 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 7:15 | "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do..." | Romans 7:15 (Similar sentiment of lack of understanding) |
| Romans 7:18 | "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh." | Romans 7:18 (Foundation for the statement in v.19) |
| Romans 7:20 | "Now then it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me." | Romans 7:20 (Clarifies the agent of sin) |
| Galatians 5:17 | "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against..." | Galatians 5:17 (Conflict between flesh and spirit) |
| 1 Corinthians 15:56 | "The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is law." | 1 Corinthians 15:56 (Sin's strength linked to law) |
| Ephesians 4:22 | "...put off your former conduct, the old man which is corrupt..." | Ephesians 4:22 (Putting off the old self) |
| Colossians 3:5 | "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth..." | Colossians 3:5 (Mortifying earthly desires) |
| Genesis 6:5 | "The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth..." | Genesis 6:5 (Pervasive sin in humanity) |
| Psalm 51:5 | "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother..." | Psalm 51:5 (Inherited sinful nature) |
| Jeremiah 17:9 | "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately sick..." | Jeremiah 17:9 (Depravity of the human heart) |
| John 8:34 | "Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever..." | John 8:34 (Freedom from sin through Christ) |
| Romans 6:12 | "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body..." | Romans 6:12 (Exhortation against sin's reign) |
| Romans 6:23 | "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal..." | Romans 6:23 (Consequences of sin) |
| 1 John 1:8 | "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth..." | 1 John 1:8 (Confession of ongoing sin) |
| 1 John 3:8 | "He who practices sin is of the devil, for the devil has sinned..." | 1 John 3:8 (Association of sin with the devil) |
| Philippians 3:12 | "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected..." | Philippians 3:12 (Paul's ongoing pursuit of perfection) |
| Romans 3:23 | "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." | Romans 3:23 (Universality of sin) |
| Romans 7:7 | "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! But I..." | Romans 7:7 (Introduction to sin's operation) |
| Romans 7:11 | "For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me..." | Romans 7:11 (Mechanism of sin's deception) |
| Romans 7:21 | "I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who..." | Romans 7:21 (Another description of sin's presence) |
Romans 7 verses
Romans 7 19 Meaning
The apostle Paul expresses his ongoing struggle against the sin that indwells him. Despite his desire to do good, the power of sin is so strong that it leads him to do what he hates. He understands that sin is the root cause of his unwelcome actions.
Romans 7 19 Context
This verse is part of a larger argument in Romans 7 where Paul is addressing the relationship between believers, the Law, and sin. He is explaining the effect of the Law on the human condition. He establishes that the Law is holy and good, but it is sin, an active and potent force residing within the individual, that exploits the Law and leads to transgression. The struggle Paul describes is intense, highlighting the pervasiveness of sin in the life of a person who is sincere in their desire to follow God. This internal conflict continues even for those who are regenerate, though their perspective on it changes. The immediate context is Paul's personal testimony of his struggle before identifying the ultimate deliverer in the next chapter.
Romans 7 19 Word Analysis
- γάρ (gar): For. Connects this statement logically to the previous one, providing a reason or explanation for the struggle.
- γὰρ (gar): for, because. Conjunction showing the cause.
- οὐ (ou): not. Negation, emphasizing the absence of doing good.
- τὸ (to): the. Definite article.
- ἀγαθὸν (agathon): good. Refers to moral goodness or well-pleasing to God. It's the absence of the intended good.
- ὃ (ho): which, what. Relative pronoun referring to the "good" that he wants to do.
- θέλω (thelo): I will, I want. Expresses a volitional desire or intention.
- ποιεῖν (poiein): to do, to perform. Indicates the action Paul intends.
- δὲ (de): but. Connects the intention with the opposite reality.
- κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai): I work out, I accomplish, I do (through persistent effort). Denotes a deeper, often exhaustive, accomplishment. This word implies a full realization of an action. It suggests sin "accomplishes" or brings to full fruition its corrupt purpose.
- τὸ (to): the. Definite article.
- φαῦλον (phaulon): evil, bad, base, worthless. Describes the nature of the action actually performed, contrasting with "good." It speaks of something morally inferior or wicked.
- – : (no direct word here, but the sentiment is "I do"). This implies that the "evil" is being done by him, though he is unwilling.
- Words Group: "οὐ τὸ ἀγαθὸν ὃ θέλω ποιεῖν" (ou to agathon ho thelo poiein): This entire phrase encapsulates the paradox: "the good which I want, I do not do." It highlights the failure to achieve desired righteousness.
- Words Group: "δὲ κατεργάζομαι τὸ φαῦλον" (de katergazomai to phaulon): "but evil I do." This states the tragic reality; the action performed is the opposite of the intended good.
Romans 7 19 Bonus Section
This verse resonates with the human experience across generations, captured in phrases like "the devil made me do it," although Paul clarifies it's not an external force but an internal one. The "evil" being done is not just any wrong action, but the persistent practice of sin that Paul previously defined in Romans 7 as originating from a "law" in his members. This implies a systemic and habitual character to the sin Paul grapples with. It is essential to understand that Paul, as an Apostle, is not describing his post-conversion life in the most absolute sense, but rather the persistent struggle inherent in the unredeemed humanity, or perhaps, a description of the ongoing tension even within the regenerate believer before full sanctification, emphasizing the body of sin. The strength of sin is deeply interwoven with the flesh and the knowledge of the law, paradoxically making the law itself an instrument for sin's deception (Romans 7:11).
Romans 7 19 Commentary
Paul is articulating a deep personal struggle against indwelling sin. Even with the best intentions, the pervasive power of sin leads to actions he despises. This isn't a surrender to sin, but an honest acknowledgment of its relentless pressure within the fallen human nature. He recognizes that this is not a lapse of character, but the active accomplishment of evil by sin itself within his human framework. The verse underscores the universal human condition of battling against the flesh's desires, which manifest as sinful actions contrary to one's conscience and will. It reveals that without divine intervention, human efforts to overcome sin are ultimately defeated by its potent, persistent, and indwelling nature.