English Standard Version
Romans 7:15
15For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
Romans 7:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
- New International Version (NIV)I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
- New Living Translation (NLT)I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
Context of Romans 7:15
13Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
Read all of Romans 7Romans 7:15 word by word
ὃ γὰρ κατεργάζομαι οὐ γινώσκω· οὐ γὰρ ὃ θέλω τοῦτο πράσσω, ἀλλ᾽ ὃ μισῶ τοῦτο ποιῶ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- that whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- I doκατεργάζομαιkatergazomai · to workout/produceG2716
- I allowγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
- notοὐou · noG3756
- I wouldθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
- thatοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- do Iπράσσωprassō · to do/requireG4238
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- I hateμισέωmiseō · to hateG3404
- do Iποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
Cross-references for Romans 7:15
- Romans 14:22The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
- Luke 11:48So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs.
- Psalms 1:6for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
- Nahum 1:7The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.
- 2 Timothy 2:19But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
- Romans 7:16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.
- 1 Kings 8:46"If they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near,
- Psalms 19:12Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
- Psalms 65:3When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.
- Psalms 119:1Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
- Ecclesiastes 7:20Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
- Galatians 5:17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
- Philippians 3:12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
- James 3:2For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
- 1 John 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
- Romans 12:9Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Commentaries on Romans 7:15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15For, that which I do, I allow not, etc. - The first clause of this verse is a general assertion concerning the employment of the person in question in the state which the apostle calls carnal, and sold under sin. The Greek word which is here translated I do, means a work which the agent continues to perform till it is finished, and is used by the apostle, Philemon 2:12, to denote the continued employment of God's saints in his service to the end of their…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15For that which I do - That is, the evil which I do, the sin of which I am conscious, and which troubles me. I allow not - I do not approve; I do not wish it; the prevailing bent of my inclinations and purposes is against it. Greek, “I know not;” see the margin. The word “know,” however, is sometimes used in the sense of approving, Revelation 2:24, “Which have not known (approved) the depths of Satan;” compare Psalm 101:4, I will not know a wicked person.”…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-17Verses 14-17 Compared with the holy rule of conduct in the law of God, the apostle found himself so very far short of perfection, that he seemed to be carnal; like a man who is sold against his will to a hated master, from whom he cannot set himself at liberty. A real Christian unwillingly serves this hated master, yet cannot shake off the galling chain, till his powerful and gracious Friend above, rescues him. The remaining evil of his heart is a real…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-25What then (see study note on 6:1): Paul has just spoken in strong terms about the law. Now he explains that God’s law is good. He does this to prevent people from thinking that the law itself is evil.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-1615-16. For, &c.--better, "For that which I do I know not"; that is, "In obeying the impulses of my carnal nature I act the slave of another will than my own as a renewed man?" for, &c.--rather, "for not what I would (wish, desire) that do I, but what I hate that I do."Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 7:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries