Romans Chapter 7:14-25

Romans 7:17-21 The Message: But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realise that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. 

Scripture Translations

Cross equals Love

"I heard a professional comedian describe the 'first thought wrong' principle. On the path to recovery he started distrusting his first thoughts. I need a drink. 'Don't do it. You know where that leads.' I happened to be studying the book of Romans at the time, and in Romans 7 Paul gives an eloquent description of that same principle. Note that again he uses the presence tense: 'I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.' His language eerily resembles what I heard today as you described your struggles with addiction. 'What a wretched man I am!' Paul concludes.

Then, as if someone switched channels, the tone abruptly changes. Paul corrects the 'first thought wrong' formula with a dose of grace-reality" 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.' I know now better corrective to wrong thinking, and no better reminder of God's grace, than reading Romans 7 and 8 back to back. God wants to alter our first thoughts so that they reflect our true state, as God's forgiven, beloved children. 
What good is God? By Philip Yancey - Page 229-230

Teaching Videos

Commentaries

Romans Chapter 7:14

Romans 7:14 NKJV - For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Warren W. Wiersbe - Be Right - How to be right with God, Yourself, and others

Romans 7:14 - What does it mean that the law is "spiritual"? It means that the law deals with the inner man, the spiritual part of man, as well as the outer action. ... Our nature is carnal (fleshly), but the law's nature is spiritual. this explains why the old nature responds as it does to the law. It has well been said, "The old nature knows no law, the new nature needs no law." The law cannot transform the old nature; it can only reveal how sinful that old nature is. The believer who tries to live under law will only activate the old nature; he will not eradicate it. (Page 89-90)

From Warren W. Wiersbe - Be Right - how to be right with God, Yourself, and others.

NKJV Maxwell Leadership Bible

Romans 7:14-25 - Paul identifies with the struggles of common men and women. He knows we all can feel trapped (Rom. 7:14); confused (7:15); eager to do what is right (7:18); unable to follow through (7:18); an inward war (7:21–23); and frustration (7:24). Good leaders do not seek to impress, but to identify.

From John Maxwell - NKJV Maxwell Leadership Bible


Worship Songs

Romans Chapter 7:15-16

Romans 7:15 -16 NIV -I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

Zondervan KJV Commentary

 Romans 7:15 - I allow not renders the Greek for “I do not understand [or ‘recognize’].” What a person wants to do and what a person does often fail to match. The struggle within creates tension, ambivalence, and confusion.

Romans 7:16 - I consent unto the law that it is good. Even when Paul was rebellious and disobedient, the Holy Spirit revealed to him the essential goodness of the law.

Zondervan KJV Commentary

NIV Quest Study Bible Notes

Romans 7:15 - All of us can relate to the fierce internal struggle that Paul describes. Until we stand in Jesus’ presence, we will all experience this battle. The only way to win it is by joyfully tapping into the Spirit’s overcoming power.

From: NIV Quest Study Bible

Romans Chapter 7:17-20

Romans 7:17-20 The Message - But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realise that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and get the better of me every time.

Warren W. Wiersbe - Be Right with God, yourself and others

Romans 7:17-20 - Three times in this passage Paul stated that sin dwells in us (Romans 7:17, 18, 20). He was referring, of course, to the old nature. It is also true that the Holy Spirit dwells in us; and in Romans 8, Paul explained how the Spirit of God enables us to live in victory, something the law cannot help us do.

From Warren W. Wiersbe - Be Right - how to be right with God, Yourself, and others.

Believer's Bible Commentary

Romans 7:17 - This leads to the conclusion that the culprit is not the new man in Christ, but the sinful, corrupt nature that dwells in him. But we must be careful here. We must not excuse our sinning by passing it off to indwelling sinWe are responsible for what we do, and we must not use this verse to “pass the buck.” All Paul is doing here is tracking down the source of his sinful behavior, not excusing it.

From Believer's Bible Commentary


NKJV Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible Notes

Romans 7:18 -We simply do not have the power by ourselves to do what pleases God. Even the “good things” we do in our own strength make us prideful and dishonoring to God (Is. 64:6). 

From NKJV Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible Notes


Worship Songs

Romans Chapter 7:21-25

Romans 7:21 -25 NLT- I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[b] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Warren W. Wiersbe - Be Right - How to be right with God, Yourself, and others

By "the mind" Paul meant "the inward man" (Romans 7:22) as opposed to "the flesh" (Romans 7:18). He amplified this thought in Romans 8:5-8. The old nature cannot do anything good. Everything the Bible says about the old nature is negative: "no good thing" (Romans 7:18); "the flesh profieth nothing" (John 6:63); "no confidence in the flesh" (Phil 3:3). If we depend on the energy of the flesh, we cannot serve God, please God, or do any good thing. But if we yield to the Holy Spirit, then we have the power needed to obey His will. The flesh will never serve the law of God because the flesh is at war with God. But the Spirit can only obey the law of God! Therefore, the secret of doing good is to yield to the Holy Spirit. (Page 92)

From Warren W. Wiersbe - Be Right - how to be right with God, Yourself, and others.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

His great comfort lay in Jesus Christ (Rom. 7:25): I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. In the midst of his complaints he breaks out into praises. It is a special remedy against fears and sorrows to be much in praise: many a poor drooping soul hath found it so. And, in all our praises, this should be the burden of the son, “Blessed be God for Jesus Christ.” Who shall deliver me? says he (Rom. 7:24), as one at a loss for help. At length he finds an all-sufficient friend, even Jesus Christ. When we are under the sense of the remaining power of sin and corruption, we shall see reason to bless God through Christ (for, as he is the mediator of all our prayers, so he is of all our praises)--to bless God for Christ; it is he that stands between us and the wrath due to us for this sin.

From: Matthew Henry's Commentary

Worship Songs

What a Beautiful Name - Hillsong Worship
Ever Be - Bethel Music & Kalley Heilingenthal

What's next?

Some questions to consider:

1. What did God say to you when studying this passage?

2. What does that mean for how you live your life? (ie is there something you believe God wants you to do differently?)

3. How can we as a Lifegroup support you?

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