Romans 7 23

Romans 7:23 kjv

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Romans 7:23 nkjv

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Romans 7:23 niv

but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

Romans 7:23 esv

but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

Romans 7:23 nlt

But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

Romans 7 verses

Romans 7 23 Meaning

This verse describes an internal conflict. It speaks of a "law in my members" that wars against the "law of my mind." This inner battle results in captivity to the "law of sin" which is present in one's physical being. The essence is the believer's struggle against sin's enticement due to their fleshly nature, even while their mind acknowledges and desires God's law. It highlights the continuing reality of sin's presence in the life of a regenerated person, not yet fully glorified.

Romans 7 23 Context

Romans chapter 7 is often understood as Paul’s exploration of the human condition, particularly the experience of a believer still living in a fallen world and possessing a fallen nature. Having established justification by faith in the previous chapters, Paul now addresses the practical outworking of this new life in Christ. He contrasts the experience under the Mosaic Law with the power of sin before salvation, and the ongoing internal conflict for the redeemed. This particular verse is part of a progression where Paul uses a first-person narrative (though debated if it’s a personal confession or a representation of the unredeemed or even a saved person's struggle) to illustrate the futility of attempting to achieve righteousness through one's own efforts and the overwhelming power of sin within. The entire chapter grapples with the inability of human flesh, even under a holy law, to achieve godliness without the liberating power of the Holy Spirit, which Paul will reveal in chapter 8.

Romans 7 23 Word Analysis

• 'and (kai - και): Connective particle, here indicating consequence or addition.
• I (ego - ἐγώ): First-person pronoun, emphasizing the personal nature of the experience.
• see (blepo - βλέπω): To perceive with the eyes; figuratively, to understand or recognize.
• another (heteros - ἕτερος): Different, another of a different kind.
• law (nomos - νόμος): Can mean a rule, statute, principle, or custom. Here, it refers to an inner, operative principle or power.
• in (en - ἐν): Preposition indicating location or sphere.
• my (mou - μου): Possessive pronoun.
• members (melon - μέλῶν): Parts of the body. Figuratively, the faculties and appetites.
• warring (stratoumenon - στρατευομένου): Present participle from strategéō, meaning to carry on military service, to fight, to wage war. Conveys an active, ongoing conflict.
• against (kata - κατά): Preposition indicating opposition or down-driving force.
• the (tou - τοῦ): Definite article.
• law (nomos - νόμος): Again, referring to a ruling principle, here specifically the "law of my mind" representing righteous intention.
• of (tou - τοῦ): Preposition indicating possession or source.
• my (mou - μου): Possessive pronoun.
• mind (nous - νοός): The intellect, understanding, or the faculty of thinking.
• and (aichmalotizonta - αἰχμαλωτίζοντα): Present participle from aichmalōtizō, meaning to take captive, to lead away captive. The present tense suggests ongoing subjugation.
• bringing (palin - πάλιν): Again, anew.
• me (me - με): Accusative pronoun.
• captive (ein - εἶναι): Infinitive of the verb "to be."
• to (tō - τῷ): Definite article.
• the (nomō - νόμῳ): Dative case of "law," again, the principle of sin.
• of (tes - τῆς): Genitive definite article.
• sin (hamartias - ἁμαρτίας): Transgression, error, missing the mark. The power and principle of sin.
• which (onti - ὄντι): Present participle of "to be."
• is (en - ἐν): Preposition, meaning "in."
• in (tois - τοῖς): Dative plural definite article.
• my (melesin - μέλεσιν): Dative plural of melos, "members." Refers to the body and its constituent parts as the sphere of sin's operation.

Word Group Analysis:

• "Law in my members warring against the law of my mind": This juxtaposition highlights the conflict between innate sinful desires (laws of the body/flesh) and the renewed understanding and will of the believer (law of the mind). The flesh possesses its own active principle or 'law'.
• "Captive to the law of sin which is in my members": This phrase emphasizes the involuntary aspect of the struggle. Despite the mind's intention, the body’s ingrained sinfulness brings about actions that contradict the will. The 'members' are the instruments through which this law of sin operates.

Romans 7 23 Bonus Section

This verse, along with the surrounding context in Romans 7, is central to understanding the anarthrous (without definite article) use of "law" (nomos). While Paul refers to God's law and the "law of sin" and "law of my mind," the indefinite use of "law" in "a law" in some translations points to these as operative principles rather than God's divine Mosaic Law itself. The battle is not against the holiness of God's law, but between competing principles of life within the believer. This struggle prepares the way for the solution presented in Romans 8: the power of the Holy Spirit, who truly liberates from this internal captivity. The idea of "being led captive" is significant; it reflects a subjection, even against one's inner conviction and desire, highlighting the desperate need for a rescuer.

Romans 7 23 Commentary

Paul vividly portrays the internal war every believer faces. It is not a war against external enemies primarily, but a civil war within the person. The believer’s mind is renewed, aligning with God's will. However, the body, still a site of indwelling sin, actively rebels, causing actions that go against this new inclination of the mind. This subjugation isn't absolute control that negates free will entirely, but a compelling influence that often leads the believer to actions they do not desire. This experience is a testament to the continued presence of sin in the mortal body, even after conversion, until ultimate glorification.

• Practical example: A Christian intends to speak kindly (law of mind) but speaks harshly out of frustration (law of members), then confesses and asks forgiveness.
• This inner conflict confirms that salvation is by grace, not by human ability to perfectly keep the law.