Romans 7:15

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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
• 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.

Context of Romans 7:15

13Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? Far from it! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by bringing about my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. 14For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold into bondage to sin. For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate. 16However, if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, that the Law is good. 17But now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me.

Romans 7:15 word by word

ὃ γὰρ κατεργάζομαι οὐ γινώσκω· οὐ γὰρ ὃ θέλω τοῦτο πράσσω, ἀλλ᾽ ὃ μισῶ τοῦτο ποιῶ.Read the interlinear

• I do not understandγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• whatὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• I am doingκατεργάζομαιkatergazomai · to workout/produceG2716
• for I am not practicingπράσσωprassō · to do/requireG4238
• I wantθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• but I doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• the veryοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• I hateμισέωmiseō · to hateG3404

Cross-references for Romans 7:15

• Romans 14:22The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is the one who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
• Luke 11:48So you are witnesses and you approve of the deeds of your fathers; because it was they who 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, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.
• 2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.”
• Romans 7:16However, if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, that the Law is good.
• 1 Kings 8:46“When they sin against You (for there is no person who does not sin) and You are angry with them and turn them over to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to the land of the enemy, distant or near;
• Psalms 19:12Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
• Psalms 65:3Wrongdoings prevail against me; As for our offenses, You forgive them.
• Psalms 119:1Blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the Law of the Lord.
• Ecclesiastes 7:20Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who always does good and does not ever sin.
• Galatians 5:17For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.
• Philippians 3:12Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
• James 3:2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to rein in the whole body as well.
• 1 John 1:7but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
• Romans 12:9Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling 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

• Conscience
• Depravity of Man
• Good and Evil
• Justification
• Man
• Sin
• Stoicism

In the dictionaries

• Appear
• Captivity
• Concupiscence
• Condescend
• Consent
• Delight
• Member
• Mind
• Occasion
• Revive

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