Romans 7 22

Romans 7:22 kjv

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Romans 7:22 nkjv

For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.

Romans 7:22 niv

For in my inner being I delight in God's law;

Romans 7:22 esv

For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,

Romans 7:22 nlt

I love God's law with all my heart.

Romans 7 verses

Romans 7 22 Meaning

Romans 7:22 expresses the Apostle Paul's profound affinity and joyful agreement with God's moral law, emanating from his regenerated spirit or his "inner man." This indicates a fundamental change of heart in a believer, where the spiritual, renewed part of a person genuinely approves of and finds pleasure in God's holy standards, even amidst an ongoing internal conflict with the unredeemed sinful nature (flesh). It signifies a will aligned with God's, a delight in His righteous character and commands.

Romans 7 22 Context

Romans chapter 7 elaborates on the Law's role, particularly in relation to sin and the Christian. Paul explains that the Law is good and spiritual, but it also highlights sin, acting like a mirror to reveal humanity's fallen state. Before Christ, the Law exposed sin but couldn't provide deliverance from its power. Even after conversion, the believer experiences an internal tension: the new spiritual nature (the "inner man") desires to obey God's Law, yet the lingering power of sin (the "flesh" or "body of death") wages war, making perfect obedience impossible on one's own. Verse 22 specifically highlights the true, regenerated desire of the believer's heart, which stands in stark contrast to the persistent struggle described in the preceding and subsequent verses of the chapter. It sets the stage for the triumphant resolution in chapter 8, where freedom from the "law of sin and death" comes through the Spirit. Historically, Paul addresses misunderstandings regarding the Law's purpose, clarifying its spiritual goodness while underscoring its inability to sanctify, thus subtly challenging any belief in self-justification through mere external adherence to legal codes.

Romans 7 22 Word analysis

• For I delight:

  • Greek: synēdomai (συνήδομαι). This is a compound verb from syn (with, together) and hēdomai (to take pleasure, to delight).
  • It denotes a strong, personal pleasure or enjoyment, often implying a shared or complete alignment. It's not just intellectual agreement but an emotional and spiritual approval, a joyful resonance.
  • This choice of word emphasizes that the regenerate Paul, his deepest being, fully and joyfully assents to God's standard.

• in the law of God:

  • Greek: tō nomō tou Theou (τῷ νόμῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ).
  • This refers to the divine, moral standard and revelation of God, encompassing His holy character and will, rather than solely the ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic Law. Paul frequently uses "the Law" in Romans to denote God's righteous requirements.
  • It is described elsewhere in this chapter as holy, righteous, and good (Rom 7:12, 14), spiritual and a revelation of sin.

• according to:

  • Greek: kata (κατά).
  • Means "according to," "with respect to," "in conformity with," or "on the basis of." It indicates the specific part or principle that governs the delight.

• the inner man:

  • Greek: ton esō anthrōpon (τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον).
  • This refers to the spiritual, regenerated nature of a believer, the mind and heart transformed by the Holy Spirit. It stands in contrast to the "outer man" (2 Cor 4:16) or the flesh, which is susceptible to sin.
  • It signifies the core, true self that has been renewed in Christ, reflecting God's image and desiring God's will.
  • This term is crucial for understanding the Pauline anthropology in Romans 7, where the regenerate mind or spirit is distinct from the unredeemed "flesh" (sarx) that still remains within the believer.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "I delight in the law of God": This phrase highlights the personal, experiential approval and enjoyment of God's moral standard. It reveals a renewed will and affection. This isn't begrudging obedience, but an internal affinity. It's a contrast to the struggle later mentioned (Rom 7:23), showing the deep heart's desire.
  • "according to the inner man": This qualifies who delights in the Law. It specifies that this delight comes from the deepest, truest, spiritually regenerated part of the person, as opposed to the unregenerate flesh. This distinction is vital for understanding Paul's theology of sanctification and the ongoing conflict within the believer, showing that the will of the transformed believer aligns with God's.

Romans 7 22 Bonus section

This verse offers a crucial test for genuine faith: while outward perfect obedience is not yet fully attainable due to indwelling sin, the true believer's inner desire and will align with God's Law. If there is no delight in God's commands according to the inner person, it raises questions about whether a true regeneration has occurred. It underscores that Christianity is not primarily about behavioral modification from the outside, but about a transformation of the heart and mind that then seeks to express itself in obedience. This verse also distinguishes between the desire of the "mind" (which delights in God's law) and the struggle of the "flesh," making clear that the will of the believer, though weak in performance, is righteous in intention.

Romans 7 22 Commentary

Romans 7:22 presents a pivotal insight into the struggle within the redeemed believer. Paul reveals that, from the core of his renewed being—his "inner man" which is aligned with the Holy Spirit—he profoundly embraces and finds joy in God's divine Law. This "delight" is not merely intellectual assent but an active, heartfelt affirmation of God's perfect moral standard, reflective of the believer's new creation identity in Christ. It testifies to the regenerative work of the Spirit, where the heart's disposition has shifted from rebellion to admiration and agreement with God's holiness. This internal consensus, however, is juxtaposed with the persistent "law of sin" that resides in the physical body, leading to the wrestling match described throughout Romans 7. Thus, the verse signifies that while the believer's true nature yearns for God's righteousness, the unredeemed parts of the flesh continue to impede full experiential holiness, creating a holy discontent that ultimately drives one to seek deliverance in Christ through the Holy Spirit (Rom 8).