Romans 7 · Verse 17

Romans 7:17

Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Romans 7:17, King James Version

Romans 7:17 in other translations

BSB	In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
WEB	So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.
ASV	So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.
YLT	and now it is no longer I that work it, but the sin dwelling in me,
DARBY	Now then it is no longer I that do it, but the sin that dwells in me.
BBE	So it is no longer I who do it, but the sin living in me.
Webster	Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

What does Romans 7:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

17. Now then it is no more I--my renewed self. that do it--"that work it." but sin which dwelleth in me--that principle of sin that still has its abode in me. To explain this and the following statements, as many do (even Bengel and Tholuck), of the sins of unrenewed men against their better convictions, is to do painful violence to the apostle's language, and to affirm of the unregenerate what is untrue. That coexistence and mutual hostility of "flesh" and "spirit" in the same renewed man, which is so clearly taught in Ro 8:4, &c., and in Ga 5:16, &c., is the true and only key to the language of this and the following verses. (It is hardly necessary to say that the apostle means not to disown the blame of yielding to his corruptions, by saying, "it is not he that does it, but sin that dwelleth in him." Early heretics thus abused his language; but the whole strain of the passage shows that his sole object in thus expressing himself was to bring more vividly before his readers the conflict of two opposite principles, and how entirely, as a new man--honoring from his inmost soul the law of God--he condemned and renounced his corrupt nature, with its affections and lusts, its stirrings and its outgoings, root and branch).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 17. It is no more I that do it. This is evidently figurative language, for it is really the man that sins when evil is committed. But the apostle makes a distinction between sin and that which he intends by the pronoun I. By the former he evidently means his corrupt nature; by the latter he refers to his renewed nature, his Christian principles. He means to say that he does not approve or love it in his present state, but that it is the result of his native propensities and passions. In his heart, and conscience, and habitual feeling, he did not choose to commit sin, but abhorred it. Thus every Christian can say that he does not choose to do evil, but would wish to be perfect; that he hates sin, and yet that his corrupt passions lead him astray.

But sin. My corrupt passions and native propensities.

That dwelleth in me. Dwelling in me as its home. This is a strong expression, denoting that sin had taken up its habitation in the mind, and abode there. It had not yet been wholly dislodged. This expression stands in contrast with another that occurs, where it is said that "the Spirit of God dwells" in the Christian, Rom 8:9, 1Cor 3:16. The sense is, that he is strongly influenced by sin on the one hand; and by the Spirit on the other. From this expression has arisen the phrase so common among Christians, indwelling sin.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 17 Now then it is no more I - It is not that I which constitutes reason and conscience, but sin-corrupt and sensual inclinations, that dwelleth in me - that has the entire domination over my reason, darkening my understanding, and perverting my judgment; for which there is condemnation in the law, but no cure. So we find here that there is a principle in the unregenerate man stronger than reason itself; a principle which is, properly speaking, not of the essence of the soul, but acts in it, as its lord, or as a tyrant. This is inbred and indwelling sin - the seed of the serpent; by which the whole soul is darkened, confused, perverted, and excited to rebellion against God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 7:14-17

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…

Read the full comment on Romans 7:14-17 →

Romans 7:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

νυνὶnuniIn that caseG3570

δὲdenowG1161

οὐκέτιouketino longerG3756

ἐγὼegōI myselfG1473

κατεργάζομαιkatergazomaiam doingG2716

αὐτὸautoitG846

ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235

ἡhēthat whichG3588

οἰκοῦσαoikousais dwellingG3611

ἐνeninG1722

ἐμοὶemoime myselfG1473

ἁμαρτία.hamartiasin.G266

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 7:17

Romans 7:20
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Philippians 3:8-9
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
James 4:5-6
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Romans 4:7-8
Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
2 Corinthians 8:12
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
Romans 7:23
But 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.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

it is no more.
20; 4:7,8; 2Co 8:12; Php 3:8,9
sin.
18,20,23; Jas 4:5,6

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Romans 7:16
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Romans 7:17
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Read all of Romans 7

Romans 7:17 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	De manera que ya no obro aquello, sino el pecado que mora en mí.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Or maintenant, ce n’est plus moi qui fais cela, mais c’est le péché qui habite en moi.
German Elberfelder 1871	Nun aber vollbringe nicht mehr ich dasselbe, sondern die in mir wohnende Sünde.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Nunc autem jam non ego operor illud, sed quod habitat in me peccatum.