English Standard Version
Romans 7:16
16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.
Romans 7:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
- New International Version (NIV)And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.
- New King James Version (NKJV)If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.
- New Living Translation (NLT)But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good.
Context of Romans 7:16
14For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now 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. 18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Read all of Romans 7Romans 7:16 word by word
εἰ δὲ ὃ οὐ θέλω τοῦτο ποιῶ, σύμφημι τῷ νόμῳ ὅτι καλός·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Ifεἰei · ifG1487
- thenδέde · thenG1161
- I doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
- ·οὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- that whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- I wouldθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
- notοὐou · noG3756
- I consent untoσύμφημιsumphēmi · to agreeG4852
- the lawὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
- thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
- goodκαλόςkalos · goodG2570
Cross-references for Romans 7:16
Commentaries on Romans 7:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16If then I do that which I would not, etc. - Knowing that the law condemns it, and that therefore it must be evil. I consent unto the law; I show by this circumstance that I acknowledge the law to be good.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16I consent unto the law - The very struggle with evil shows that it is not loved, or approved, but that the Law which condemns it is really loved. Christians may here find a test of their piety. The fact of struggling against evil, the desire to be free from it, and to overcome it, the anxiety and grief which it causes, is an evidence that we do not love it, and that there. fore we are the friends of God. Perhaps nothing can be a more decisive test of…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 7:16
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