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

13But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my death? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God’s good commands for its own evil purposes. 14So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 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. 16But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

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

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 14:22You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.
• Luke 11:48But in fact, you stand as witnesses who agree with what your ancestors did. They killed the prophets, and you join in their crime by building the monuments!
• Psalms 1:6For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
• Nahum 1:7The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.
• 2 Timothy 2:19But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”
• Romans 7:16But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good.
• 1 Kings 8:46“If they sin against you—and who has never sinned?—you might become angry with them and let their enemies conquer them and take them captive to their land far away or near.
• Psalms 19:12How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
• Psalms 65:3Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all.
• Psalms 119:1Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.
• Ecclesiastes 7:20Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.
• Galatians 5:17The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
• Philippians 3:12I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
• James 3:2Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
• 1 John 1:7But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
• Romans 12:9Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly 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