New King James Version
Romans 7:15
15For 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.
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 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
13Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 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. 16If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells 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 14:22Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
- Luke 11:48In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs.
- Psalms 1:6For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
- Nahum 1:7The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.
- 2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
- Romans 7:16If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it 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 deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to the land of the enemy, far or near;
- Psalms 19:12Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
- Psalms 65:3Iniquities prevail against me; As for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them.
- Psalms 119:1Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord!
- Ecclesiastes 7:20For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.
- Galatians 5:17For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
- Philippians 3:12Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
- James 3:2For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the 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 Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
- Romans 12:9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries