Romans 7 · Verse 21

Romans 7:21

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Romans 7:21, King James Version

Romans 7:21 in other translations

BSBSo this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
WEBI find then the law that, while I desire to do good, evil is present.
ASVI find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present.
YLTI find, then, the law, that when I desire to do what is right, with me the evil is present,
DARBYI find then the law upon me who will to practise what is right, that with me evil is there.
BBESo I see a law that, though I have a mind to do good, evil is present in me.
WebsterI find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me.

What does Romans 7:21 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 7:19-21

19-21. For, &c.--The conflict here graphically described between a self that "desires" to do good and a self that in spite of this does evil, cannot be the struggles between conscience and passion in the unregenerate, because the description given of this "desire to do good" in Ro 7:22 is such as cannot be ascribed, with the least show of truth, to any but the renewed.

Read the full comment on Romans 7:19-21 →

Barnes' Notes
Verse 21. I find then a law. There is a law whose operation I experience whenever I attempt to do good. There have been various opinions about the meaning of the word law in this place. It is evident that [it] is used here in a sense somewhat unusual. But it retains the notion which commonly attaches to it of that which binds, or controls. And though this to which he refers differs from a law, inasmuch as it is not imposed by a superior, which is the usual idea of a law, yet it has so far the sense of law that it binds, controls, influences, or is that to which he was subject. There can be no doubt that he refers here to his carnal and corrupt nature; to the evil propensities and dispositions which were leading him astray. His representing this as a law is in accordance with all that he says of it, that it is servitude, that he is in bondage to it, and that it impedes his efforts to be holy and pure. The meaning is this: "I find a habit, a propensity, an influence of corrupt passions and desires, which, when I would do right, impedes my progress, and prevents my accomplishing what I would." Comp. Gal 5:17. Every Christian is as much acquainted with this as was the apostle Paul.

Do good. Do right. Be perfect.

Evil. Some corrupt desire, or improper feeling, or evil propensity.

Is present with me. Is near; is at hand. It starts up unbidden, and undesired. It is in the path, and never leaves us, but is always ready to impede our going, and to turn us from our good designs. Comp. Ps 65:3, "Iniquities prevail against me." The sense is, that to do evil is agreeable to our strong natural inclinations and passions.

(v) "evil is present" Ps 65:3

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 21 I find then a law - I am in such a condition and state of soul, under the power of such habits and sinful propensities, that when I would do good - when my will and reason are strongly bent on obedience to the law of God and opposition to the principle of sin, evil is present with me, κακον παρακειται, evil is at hand, it lies constantly before me. That, as the will to do good is constantly at hand, Rom 7:18, so the principle of rebellion exciting me to sin is equally present; but, as the one is only will, wish, and desire, without power to do what is willed, to obtain what is wished, or to perform what is desired, sin continually prevails. The word νομος, law, in this verse, must be taken as implying any strong or confirmed habit, συνηθεια, as Hesychius renders it, under the influence of which the man generally acts; and in this sense the apostle most evidently uses it in Rom 7:23.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 7:18-22

The more pure and holy the heart is, it will have the more quick feeling as to the sin that remains in it. The believer sees more of the beauty of holiness and the excellence of the law. His earnest desires to obey, increase as he grows in grace. But the whole good on which his will is fully bent, he does not do; sin ever springing up in him, through remaining corruption, he often does evil, though against the fixed…

Read the full comment on Romans 7:18-22 →

Romans 7:21 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.

εὑρίσκωheuriskōI findG2147
ἄραarasoG686
τὸνtontheG3588
νόμονnomonprincipleG3551
τῷtōthat whichG3588
θέλοντιthelontiis desiringG2309
ἐμοὶemoime myselfG1473
ποιεῖνpoieinto doG4160
τὸto<the>G3588
καλὸνkalongoodG2570
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ἐμοὶemoime myselfG1473
τὸto<the>G3588
κακὸνkakonevilG2556
παράκειται.parakeitaiis present with.G3873

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

Cross references for Romans 7:21

  • Ephesians 6:11-13

    Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

  • Romans 8:2

    For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

  • Romans 6:14

    For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

  • 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.

  • Romans 6:12

    Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

  • Hebrews 2:17

    Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

  • Psalms 119:133

    Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

  • Zechariah 3:1-4

    And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

  • 2 Peter 2:19

    While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

  • Psalms 119:37

    Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

  • John 8:34

    Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

  • Hebrews 4:15

    For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
a law.
23; 6:12,14; 8:2; Ps 19:13; 119:133; Joh 8:34; Eph 6:11-13; 2Pe 2:19
evil.
2Ch 30:18,19; Ps 19:12; 40:12; 65:3; 119:37; Isa 6:5-7; Zec 3:1-4
Lu 4:1; Heb 2:17; 4:15

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

Context

  • 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 7:21

    I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

  • Romans 7:22

    For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Read all of Romans 7

Romans 7:21 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Así que, queriendo yo hacer el bien, hallo esta ley: Que el mal está en mí.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je trouve donc cette loi pour moi qui veux pratiquer le bien, que le mal est avec moi.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Also finde ich das Gesetz für mich, der ich das Rechte ausüben will, daß das Böse bei mir vorhanden ist.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Invenio igitur legem, volenti mihi facere bonum, quoniam mihi malum adjacet: