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 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 7:15 | I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. | Old self vs. New self in Christ |
| Romans 7:16 | And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. | Agreement with God's Law |
| Romans 7:17 | As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. | Indwelling Sin |
| Romans 7:18 | For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. | Weakness of Flesh |
| Romans 7:19 | 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. | Ongoing Struggle |
| Romans 7:20 | Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. | Sin's Autonomy |
| Romans 7:21 | So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. | Presence of Sin |
| Romans 8:2 | For the law of the Spirit who gives life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. | Freedom in the Spirit |
| Romans 8:4 | so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. | Living by the Spirit |
| Psalm 119:97 | Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. | Love for God's Law |
| Psalm 1:2 | but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on it day and night. | Delight in God's Law |
| Jeremiah 31:33 | “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." | New Covenant Law |
| Matthew 5:17 | “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." | Fulfillment of the Law |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. | Love and Redemption |
| Galatians 5:16 | So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. | Walking by the Spirit |
| Colossians 3:10 | and have been made new, a renewal that is constantly bringing you to a true and just knowledge of God, based on the creator's own image. | Renewal in Christ |
| 1 John 2:16 | For everything in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father but from the world. | Worldly Desires |
| Philippians 2:13 | for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. | God's Work in Believers |
| Titus 3:5 | he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, | Rebirth and Renewal |
| 1 Corinthians 6:17 | But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with him. | Union with Christ |
| Ephesians 5:27 | and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. | Church's Holiness |
Romans 7 verses
Romans 7 22 Meaning
Paul expresses a deep delight in the inner spiritual self, acknowledging the internal agreement with God's law. This delight is found in the renewal brought about by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 7 22 Context
Romans chapter 7 vividly depicts the struggle of a believer caught between the power of sin and the desire to obey God's law. Paul illustrates the futility of trying to achieve righteousness through one's own efforts under the Mosaic Law. This verse, "For I joy in the law of God after the inward man," marks a turning point in Paul's argument, transitioning from the condemnation of the flesh in the preceding verses to the victory available through Christ in chapter 8. The "inward man" represents the renewed spiritual self, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This contrasts with the "carnal mind" or the "body of sin" that Paul described earlier, which is subject to the law of sin. The delight here signifies an internal resonance and agreement with God's will, not a perfect adherence yet, but a deep-seated appreciation for its goodness and righteousness.
Romans 7 22 Word Analysis
For (γὰρ - gar): This is a conjunction, indicating a reason or explanation for the statement that follows. It connects the idea of delight in the law of God to the ongoing discourse.
I joy (χαίρω - chairo): This Greek word means to rejoice, be glad, or exult. It conveys a deep sense of happiness and pleasure.
in the law of God (νόμῳ τοῦ θεοῦ - nomō tou theou):
- law (νόμῳ - nomō): The dative case of "nomos," meaning law, ordinance, or custom. Here, it refers to the divine law of God, encompassing both the Ten Commandments and the broader revelation of God's will.
- of God (τοῦ θεοῦ - tou theou): The genitive case, indicating possession or origin. It signifies that the law belongs to and originates from God.
after (κατὰ - kata): A preposition meaning according to, in accordance with, or with respect to. It shows the manner or standard by which the joy is experienced.
the inward man (τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον - ton esō anthrōpon):
- inward (ἔσω - esō): An adverb used adjectivally, meaning inward or internal.
- man (ἄνθρωπον - anthrōpon): The accusative case of "anthropos," meaning man, humankind, or person. This refers to the inner, spiritual self, the true identity of the believer renewed by God.
Word group analysis: "I joy in the law of God after the inward man" signifies the inner delight in God's standards from the perspective of the regenerated spirit. The delight isn't in outward compliance alone, but in the very nature and goodness of God's commands, which now resonates with the believer's innermost being. This inward alignment is possible because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which empowers the believer to appreciate and align with God's righteous will.
Romans 7 22 Bonus Section
This delight is not to be confused with a joy found in achieving perfection or the absence of struggle. Rather, it's a profound satisfaction in the inherent goodness of God’s moral standard, a standard that the renewed inner person now yearns for. This concept is echoed in Paul’s teaching in Romans 8:1-4, where freedom from the law of sin is found through the Spirit. The "inward man" represents the capacity given by God to perceive and respond positively to divine truth, a stark contrast to the enmity towards God characteristic of the unregenerated person. The progressive sanctification of the believer means this inner joy continues to grow as the inward man is further conformed to Christ.
Romans 7 22 Commentary
The verse highlights the paradox of Christian experience. Even within the struggle against sin, there is an inner rejoicing in God's law. This delight stems from the new nature received in Christ, which internally agrees with and loves God's perfect will, even if the outward actions sometimes fail to match. It’s the spiritual man’s affirmation of God’s goodness, a foretaste of perfect conformity to Christ. This inner joy is a product of the Holy Spirit’s work of renewal and illumination, enabling the believer to see the beauty and righteousness of God’s commands from a divinely-given perspective.