Romans 7:22
What does Romans 7:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 7:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 7:22 means
Paul declares, “I delight in the law of God after the inward man.” The renewed self loves God’s standard; the problem is not in his affections toward the law. This delight is a hallmark of regeneration—an inner person awakened to God’s will, not coerced by mere external duty. It confirms that the earlier struggle was not hypocrisy but the clash between a new heart and old habits. The law is not burdensome to this inward man; it is beautiful. Yet delight alone does not dissolve the war, for the flesh remains opposed, and another principle presses from within the body.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
KJV
King James Version · 1611For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In my heart I take pleasure in the law of God,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for I delight in the law of God according to the inward man,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For I am delighted with the law of God, according to the inward man:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For I delight in the law ofGod according to the inward man:
Context
Verse 22 identifies the positive side of the conflict: genuine delight in God’s law. It follows the principle stated in verse 21 and prepares for the counterforce described in verse 23—a different law in the members warring and taking captive. The juxtaposition highlights both the reality of renewal and the persistence of indwelling sin. This setup drives Paul to the climactic lament and question in verse 24, which readies the heart to receive the only effective deliverance declared in verse 25.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 119:174
I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah; And thy law is my delight.
- Psalms 40:8
I delight to do thy will, O my God; Yea, thy law is within my heart.
- Job 23:12
I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16
Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
- Psalms 119:92
Unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
- Psalms 119:16
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. ג GIMEL.
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