Romans 7 21

Romans 7:21 kjv

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Romans 7:21 nkjv

I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.

Romans 7:21 niv

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

Romans 7:21 esv

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.

Romans 7:21 nlt

I have discovered this principle of life ? that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.

Romans 7 verses

Romans 7 21 Meaning

This verse encapsulates Paul's profound and often shared theological observation: he discerns an inherent principle or dynamic operating within himself. Regardless of his genuine desire and intentional will to perform actions that are morally right, noble, and pleasing to God, a persistent and active force of evil is invariably present, closely accompanying him and ready to influence his actions. It precisely articulates the continuous internal struggle experienced by those who are regenerated, where their renewed will to obey God is constantly opposed by the lingering power of indwelling sin within their unredeemed flesh.

Romans 7 21 Context

Romans 7:21 is a pivotal declaration within Paul's comprehensive discourse in Romans chapters 6-8, addressing the enduring tension between a believer's new spiritual identity in Christ and the persistent conflict with sin. Chapter 6 underscores that believers, united with Christ's death and resurrection, are liberated from sin's dominion. Chapter 7 then delves into the lived experience of this transformation. Paul elaborates on the role of the Mosaic Law, clarifying that it does not cause sin, but rather exposes it and even amplifies its activity within the sinful nature (Rom 7:7-13). Romans 7:14-25 proceeds with an intensely personal account (widely interpreted as the experience of a Christian) struggling with the "sin living in me." This individual, whose renewed mind delights in God's Law (v. 22), paradoxically finds himself consistently failing to do the good he desires and doing the evil he abhors. Verse 21 functions as a succinct summary of this perplexing internal dilemma, articulating an inescapable principle operating within his very being. Historically, this resonates with the challenges faced by Jewish Christians understanding the Law's place alongside grace and the realities of spiritual freedom.

Romans 7 21 Word analysis

• So I find this law at work: (Greek: εὕρίσκω ἄρα τὸν νόμον, heuriskō ara ton nomon)

  • εὕρίσκω (heuriskō - find): Signifies a discovery through personal experience and observation, pointing to a consistent, internally verified reality.
  • ἄρα (ara - so, therefore, then): Acts as a connective particle, indicating a conclusion drawn from the preceding arguments or experiences.
  • τὸν νόμον (ton nomon - the law): Here, "law" refers not to the Mosaic Law, but to a foundational principle, an operative rule, or an observed dynamic within Paul's own life.

• Although I want to do good: (Greek: ὅτι ἐμοὶ τῷ θέλοντι ποιεῖν τὸ καλὸν, hoti emoi tō thelonti poiein to kalon)

  • θέλοντι (thelonti - wanting, desiring, willing): Expresses a genuine, intentional, and heartfelt volition, indicative of a mind aligned with God's will.
  • ποιεῖν (poiein - to do, to perform): Highlights that the desire is for active engagement and the practical performance of righteous deeds.
  • τὸ καλὸν (to kalon - the good, beautiful, noble, right): Denotes not merely a morally neutral good, but that which is intrinsically excellent, noble, and in alignment with divine beauty and righteousness.

• evil is right there with me: (Greek: τὸ κακὸν πάρειται μοι, to kakon pareitai moi)

  • τὸ κακὸν (to kakon - the evil): Refers to the principle of evil or sin itself, a constant opposing force to "the good." This is indwelling sin.
  • πάρειται (pareitai - is present with, lies alongside, is at hand): A potent verb signifying immediate proximity, tenacious presence, and constant availability. It suggests an unwelcome, yet ever-present, companion or internal reality.
  • μοι (moi - to/for me, with me): Emphasizes the intensely personal and internal nature of this co-presence of evil.

• So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good: This phrase perfectly encapsulates the internal contradiction within the believer. It details the discovery of an operating principle of evil despite the active, Spirit-enabled, and genuine desire for righteous, God-honoring conduct. This confession underscores the profound internal friction experienced where good intentions are confronted by inherent resistance.

• Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me: This juxtaposes the sincere volitional desire to act righteously with the unyielding and intimate presence of sin. It graphically portrays the continuous companionship with evil, a condition not chosen, but experienced due to the reality of indwelling sin, rendering the straightforward execution of desired good actions perpetually challenging.

Romans 7 21 Bonus section

This verse represents a peak in the agonizing self-assessment in Romans 7, laying the groundwork for the cry of despair in v. 24, "What a wretched man I am!" It clearly demarcates the limitations of human will and the Mosaic Law in achieving full liberation from sin's presence, even if sin's dominion is broken (Rom 6). By articulating this profound inner struggle, Paul highlights the essentiality of the Holy Spirit's indwelling power as the means of practical victory in the believer's life, moving the theological focus from justification by faith to the sanctification empowered by the Spirit (Romans 8). Understanding this battle prevents legalism (thinking perfect obedience can be achieved by will alone) and antinomianism (thinking grace negates the need to fight sin).

Romans 7 21 Commentary

Romans 7:21 profoundly illustrates the persistent reality of the internal conflict for the believer: even with a sincere and Spirit-influenced desire to do God's will and act righteously, the indwelling power of sin ("evil") remains intimately present and ready to thwart good intentions. This is not an excuse for sin, but a sober observation of the continued spiritual warfare that resides within the human heart until glorification. This profound self-awareness, though deeply frustrating, is essential. It prevents self-reliance, dismantles spiritual pride, and actively redirects the believer towards their absolute need for constant divine grace and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit for sanctification, paving the way for the triumphant declaration of freedom found in Christ in chapter 8.

• Example: A Christian who knows they should patiently love a difficult family member may genuinely desire to extend grace. However, an immediate, reflexive urge towards anger or defensiveness might surge within, a palpable "evil right there with them," making the intended patience a profound and continuous act of Spirit-led effort, not merely a spontaneous one.