New International Version
Romans 7:15
15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
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.
- 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.
- 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, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. 14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in 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 14:22So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
- Luke 11:48So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.
- Psalms 1:6For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
- Nahum 1:7The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,
- 2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
- Romans 7:16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.
- 1 Kings 8:46“When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive to their own lands, far away or near;
- Psalms 19:12But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
- Psalms 65:3When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.
- Psalms 119:1Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.
- Ecclesiastes 7:20Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.
- Galatians 5:17For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
- Philippians 3:12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
- James 3:2We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
- 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, purifies us from all sin.
- Romans 12:9Love must be sincere. Hate 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
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
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