Romans 7:23
What does Romans 7:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 7:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 7:23 means
“But I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin.” Alongside the mind’s allegiance to God’s law stands a rival power operating through the bodily faculties—habits, appetites, and impulses. It doesn’t merely annoy; it wars and often wins, taking him captive. The language is military and legal: a struggle for control that results in bondage. This realistic admission explains frequent defeat despite sincere intentions. It also exposes the urgent need for deliverance that does not come from turning the screws tighter on self-discipline, but from One stronger than the tyrant within.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But I see another law in my body, working against the law of my mind, and making me the servant of the law of sin which is in my flesh.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and I behold another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of the sin that <FI>is<Fi> in my members.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But I see another law in my members, fighting against the law of my mind and captivating me in the law of sin that is in my members.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but I see another law in my members, warring in opposition to the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which exists in my members.
Context
Verse 23 places the two laws in stark conflict: the mind aligned with God’s law, the members under sin’s law. With captivity acknowledged, the next verse naturally erupts into a cry of misery and a plea for rescue. Verse 24 will voice this desperation, and verse 25 will immediately answer with thanksgiving to God through Jesus Christ our Lord, while summarizing the divided service of mind and flesh. The movement presses toward hope beyond self-effort.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
- Romans 6:13
neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
- James 4:1
Whence comewars and whence come fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your pleasures that war in your members?
- Romans 7:21
I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present.
- Hebrews 12:4
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin:
- Psalms 142:7
Bring my soul out of prison, That I may give thanks unto thy name: The righteous shall compass me about; For thou wilt deal bountifully with me.
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