Devine Scripture

Romans 7:14

What does Romans 7:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 7:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 7:14 means

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” The law belongs to God’s realm; it is animated by His Spirit and expresses His will. By contrast, Paul confesses himself, in his own resources, to be fleshly—marked by weakness and vulnerability to sin’s power. “Sold under sin” speaks of bondage experienced in the flesh, not of the law’s failure. The point is not to excuse sin but to admit a deep mismatch: a holy, spiritual standard meets a person whose remaining flesh resists it. This honest confession introduces the inner conflict between renewed desire and stubborn indwelling sin.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For we are conscious that the law is of the spirit; but I am of the flesh, given into the power of sin.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for we have known that the law is spiritual, and I am fleshly, sold by the sin;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For we know that the law is spiritual. But I am carnal, sold under sin.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

Context

Having vindicated the law (verses 7–13), Paul now turns to personal experience under that law, speaking in the present tense (verses 14–25). Verse 14 sets the contrast: a spiritual law and a carnal self. Verses 15–20 unpack this with repeated descriptions of doing what one hates and failing to do the good one wills. This prepares for identifying indwelling sin as an operative power and for the final cry for deliverance. The focus shifts from theory to lived struggle, highlighting the need for help beyond the self.

v.13Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good;—that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.

v.14This passage

v.15For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:1

    And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ.

  • Exodus 21:2

    If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

  • Genesis 40:15

    for indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.

  • 2 Kings 17:17

    And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger.

  • Matthew 22:37

    And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

  • Matthew 16:23

    But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art a stumbling-block unto me: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men.

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