New International Versionbut I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.
New Living TranslationBut there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
English Standard Versionbut I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Berean Standard BibleBut I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.
Berean Literal Biblebut I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and making me captive to the law of sin being in my members.
King James BibleBut 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.
New King James VersionBut 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.
New American Standard Biblebut I see a different law in the parts of my body waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin, the law which is in my body’s parts.
NASB 1995but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.
NASB 1977but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.
Legacy Standard Biblebut I see a different law in my members, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a captive to the law of sin which is in my members.
Amplified Biblebut I see a different law and rule of action in the members of my body [in its appetites and desires], waging war against the law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is within my members.
Christian Standard Biblebut I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body.
Holman Christian Standard BibleBut I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body.
American Standard Versionbut 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.
Contemporary English VersionBut in every part of me I discover something fighting against my mind, and it makes me a prisoner of sin that controls everything I do.
English Revised Versionbut 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.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationHowever, I see a different standard [at work] throughout my body. It is at war with the standards my mind sets and tries to take me captive to sin's standards which still exist throughout my body.
Good News TranslationBut I see a different law at work in my body--a law that fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is at work in my body.
International Standard Versionbut I see in my body a different principle waging war with the Law in my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin that exists in my body.
NET BibleBut I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members.
New Heart English Biblebut 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.
Webster's Bible TranslationBut 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.
Weymouth New Testamentbut I discover within me a different Law at war with the Law of my understanding, and leading me captive to the Law which is everywhere at work in my body--the Law of sin. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.
World English Biblebut 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand I behold another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin that [is] in my members.
Berean Literal Biblebut I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and making me captive to the law of sin being in my members.
Young's Literal Translation and 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 is in my members.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd I see another law in my members, fighting against the law of my mind, and taking me captive to the law of sin being in my members. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut 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.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBut I perceive another law within my body, fighting against the law of my mind, and captivating me with the law of sin which is in my body.
New American Biblebut I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
New Revised Standard Versionbut I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and it makes me a captive to the law of sin which is in my members.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishI saw another law in my members that makes war against the law of my conscience and takes me captive to the law of sin that is in my members. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentbut I perceive another law in my members, at war with the law of my mind, and making me a captive to the law of sin, which is in my members.
Godbey New Testament
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.
Haweis New Testament
but I see another law in my members, militating against the law in my mind, and making me captive to the law of sin which is in my members.
Mace New Testament
but I perceive in the animal part of me another law warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my animal part.
Weymouth New Testament
but I discover within me a different Law at war with the Law of my understanding, and leading me captive to the Law which is everywhere at work in my body--the Law of sin.
Worrell New Testament
but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin whichis in my members.
Worsley New Testament
but I perceive another law in my body warring against the law of my mind, and captivating me to the law of sin, which is in my body.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Struggling with Sin… 22For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. 23ButI seeanotherlaw at workinmybody,warring againstthelawof mymindandholding me captivetothelawof sinthat dwellswithinme.24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?…
Cross References Galatians 5:17For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.
James 4:1What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?
2 Corinthians 10:3-5For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Ephesians 6:12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
1 Peter 2:11Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.
Galatians 5:16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Colossians 3:5Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
1 Corinthians 9:27No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
2 Timothy 2:22Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Matthew 26:41“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Jeremiah 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Genesis 6:5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.
Psalm 51:5Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
Proverbs 4:23Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
Isaiah 64:6Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.
Treasury of Scripture 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. another. Romans 7:5,21,25 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death… 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. Ecclesiastes 7:20 Forthere is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. member. Romans 6:13,19 Neither yield ye your membersas instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your membersas instruments of righteousness unto God… and. Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. Psalm 142:7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. 2 Timothy 2:25,26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; … Jump to Previous BodyCaptiveCaptivityDifferentDiscoverDwellsEverywhereExistsFleshLawMakingMembersMindOppositionPrisonerServantSinUnderstandingWagingWarWarringWithinWorkWorkingJump to Next BodyCaptiveCaptivityDifferentDiscoverDwellsEverywhereExistsFleshLawMakingMembersMindOppositionPrisonerServantSinUnderstandingWagingWarWarringWithinWorkWorkingRomans 7 1.No law has power over a man longer than he lives.4.But we are dead to the law.7.Yet is not the law sin;12.but holy, just and good;16.as I acknowledge, who am grieved because I cannot keep it.But I see another law at work in my bodyThis phrase highlights the internal conflict experienced by believers. The "law" here refers to a principle or power that operates within human nature. In biblical context, this reflects the struggle between the flesh and the spirit, a theme prevalent in Paul's writings ( Galatians 5:17). The "body" signifies the physical aspect of humanity, often associated with sinful tendencies due to the fall of man (Genesis 3). This internal battle is a universal human experience, emphasizing the need for divine intervention. warring against the law of my mind
The "law of my mind" represents the renewed mind of a believer, transformed by the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2). This transformation aligns with the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), seeking to obey God's commandments. The "warring" indicates a continuous and intense struggle, akin to a military conflict, underscoring the seriousness of the spiritual battle. This struggle is not merely psychological but deeply spiritual, reflecting the tension between the old and new natures within a believer. and holding me captive to the law of sin
The imagery of captivity suggests a forceful restraint, indicating the power of sin over the unredeemed aspects of human nature. This "law of sin" is a principle that leads to disobedience and separation from God, echoing the bondage of sin described inRomans 6:16. Historically, this reflects the human condition post-Fall, where sin reigns until one is set free through Christ (John 8:34-36). The captivity metaphor also connects to the Israelites' bondage in Egypt, symbolizing the need for a deliverer. that dwells within me
The indwelling of sin contrasts with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). This phrase emphasizes the pervasive nature of sin, residing in the human heart and influencing actions and thoughts. The concept of indwelling is significant in understanding the depth of human depravity and the necessity of sanctification. It also points to the hope of ultimate redemption, where believers will be fully liberated from sin's presence (Revelation 21:4). Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who authored the Book of Romans. He is writing to the believers in Rome, explaining the struggle between the sinful nature and the desire to follow God's law. 2. RomeThe city to which Paul is writing. It was the center of the Roman Empire and a place where diverse cultures and beliefs intersected, including a growing Christian community. 3. The Law of SinRefers to the sinful nature inherent in humanity, which Paul describes as being at war with the mind's desire to follow God's law. 4. The Law of the MindRepresents the renewed mind of a believer that desires to obey God's commandments and live righteously. 5. The BodySymbolizes the physical aspect of human existence where sin manifests and battles against the spiritual desires of the mind. Teaching Points Understanding the ConflictRecognize that the struggle between the sinful nature and the desire to follow God is a common experience for believers. This awareness helps us rely more on God's grace. The Role of the MindEmphasize the importance of renewing the mind through Scripture and prayer to strengthen our resolve against sin. Dependence on the Holy SpiritAcknowledge that victory over sin is not achieved by human effort alone but through the power of the Holy Spirit working within us. The Reality of Spiritual WarfareAccept that spiritual warfare is a daily reality, and we must be equipped with the armor of God to stand firm. Hope in ChristRemember that despite the struggle, there is hope and deliverance through Jesus Christ, who empowers us to overcome sin. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Romans 7:23?
2.How does Romans 7:23 describe the internal struggle between sin and righteousness?
3.What does "law of my mind" in Romans 7:23 mean for believers?
4.How can we overcome the "law of sin" mentioned in Romans 7:23?
5.Connect Romans 7:23 with Galatians 5:17 on the flesh vs. Spirit conflict.
6.How can prayer help manage the "war" within, as described in Romans 7:23?
7.How does Romans 7:23 explain the internal struggle between sin and righteousness in believers?
8.What is the "law of my mind" mentioned in Romans 7:23?
9.How does Romans 7:23 relate to the concept of original sin?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Romans 7?
11.Does Romans 7:23–24’s depiction of a “law waging war” conflict with Psalms and other texts that describe humans as inherently capable of righteousness?
12.What is the central conflict in The Enemy Within?
13.What does 'carnally minded is death' mean?
14.Romans 6:7 states, 'he who has died has been freed from sin,' yet Christians still sin. Does this contradict everyday observation and human experience?What Does Romans 7:23 Mean But I see another law at work in my body• Paul is acknowledging a very real, tangible principle operating inside his physical members—the pull of the flesh. • This “law” is not hypothetical; it is observable whenever our bodies crave what God forbids (Romans 7:18;James 1:14–15). • Even believers, renewed in Christ, still inhabit unglorified bodies that “wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11). • The fact that Paul “sees” it reminds us that honest self-examination is essential. We cannot defeat an enemy we refuse to recognize (Psalm 139:23–24). •Galatians 5:17 states the same tension: “For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.”
warring against the law of my mind• The “mind” here is the inner person made alive to God, delighting in His truth (Romans 7:22;Psalm 119:97). • A genuine battle is underway; the flesh doesn’t merely nudge—it “wars” (2 Corinthians 10:3–5). • Victory is not automatic. Intentional choices—setting the mind on the Spirit (Romans 8:5–6), taking thoughts captive to Christ—are required. • When the conflict feels intense, we remember that Christ has equipped us with spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:11–17).
and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me• Left unchecked, the flesh doesn’t just skirmish; it enslaves. Jesus said, “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). • Paul contrasts this captivity with the freedom offered in the gospel: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). • We are commanded, “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body” (Romans 6:12–14). In Christ we have: – A new Master (Romans 6:18) – A new power source—the indwelling Spirit (Galatians 5:16) – A sure hope of complete deliverance when our bodies are redeemed (Romans 8:23) • Until that day, humble dependence on Christ keeps the chains unlocked (2 Peter 2:19 speaks of false promises of freedom; true liberty is found only in Him).
summaryRomans 7:23 exposes the believer’s ongoing struggle: a fleshly “law” embedded in the body battles the renewed mind and seeks to re-enslave us to sin. Scripture insists this conflict is real, but it also assures us that, through the indwelling Spirit and the finished work of Christ, freedom is available now and will be perfected when He glorifies our bodies. (23) Another law.--A different law. "In my members," i.e., that has its chief seat of activity in my members. This is the law of sin, which is ready to take advantage of every fleshly impulse.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.I seeβλέπω(blepō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 991:(primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.anotherἕτερον(heteron)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2087:(a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.law [ at work ]νόμον(nomon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551:From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.myμου(mou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.body,μέλεσίν(melesin)Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3196:A bodily organ, limb, member. Of uncertain affinity; a limb or part of the body.warring againstἀντιστρατευόμενον(antistrateuomenon)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 497:To campaign against, war against. From anti and strateuomai; to attack, i.e. destroy.theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.lawνόμῳ(nomō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551:From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.of myμου(mou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.mindνοός(noos)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3563:Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.holding me captiveαἰχμαλωτίζοντά(aichmalōtizonta)Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 163:To take captive (in war); I subdue, ensnare. From aichmalotos; to make captive.toἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.lawνόμῳ(nomō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551:From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.of sinἁμαρτίας(hamartias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 266:From hamartano; a sin.that dwellsὄντι(onti)Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.withinἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.[me].μέλεσίν(melesin)Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3196:A bodily organ, limb, member. Of uncertain affinity; a limb or part of the body.
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NT Letters: Romans 7:23 But I see a different law (Rom. Ro) |
