Romans 7:21
New International Version
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

New Living Translation
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.

English Standard Version
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.

Berean Standard Bible
So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

Berean Literal Bible
So I find the principle in my desiring to do good, that evil is present with me.

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

New King James Version
I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.

New American Standard Bible
I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

NASB 1995
I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

NASB 1977
I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good.

Legacy Standard Bible
I find then the principle that in me evil is present—in me who wants to do good.

Amplified Bible
So I find it to be the law [of my inner self], that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

Christian Standard Bible
So I discover this law: When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So I discover this principle: When I want to do what is good, evil is with me.

American Standard Version
I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present.

Contemporary English Version
The Law has shown me that something in me keeps me from doing what I know is right.

English Revised Version
I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So I've discovered this truth: Evil is present with me even when I want to do what God's standards say is good.

Good News Translation
So I find that this law is at work: when I want to do what is good, what is evil is the only choice I have.

International Standard Version
So I find this to be a principle: when I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me.

Majority Standard Bible
So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

NET Bible
So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me.

New Heart English Bible
I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present.

Webster's Bible Translation
I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Weymouth New Testament
I find therefore the law of my nature to be that when I desire to do what is right, evil is lying in ambush for me.

World English Bible
I find then the law that, while I desire to do good, evil is present.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I find, then, the law, that when I desire to do what is right, the evil is present with me,

Berean Literal Bible
So I find the principle in my desiring to do good, that evil is present with me.

Young's Literal Translation
I find, then, the law, that when I desire to do what is right, with me the evil is present,

Smith's Literal Translation
I find therefore a law to me, wishing to do good, that evil lies near me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I find then a law, that when I have a will to do good, evil is present with me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, I discover the law, by wanting to do good within myself, though evil lies close beside me.

New American Bible
So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.

New Revised Standard Version
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I find therefore, that the law agrees with my conscience when I wish to do good, but evil is always near, distracting me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I find, therefore, a law agreeing with my conscience which wants to do good, because evil is near me.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
I find, then, this law: That, when I wish to do good, evil is present with me.

Godbey New Testament
Then I find a law, that, to me wishing to do that which is beautiful, that the evil is present with me:

Haweis New Testament
I find then a law, that, when I wish to do good, evil is presented to me.

Mace New Testament
I find then a settled custom, that evil is objected in my way whenever I have a mind to act well:

Weymouth New Testament
I find therefore the law of my nature to be that when I desire to do what is right, evil is lying in ambush for me.

Worrell New Testament
Consequently, I find the law, that, when I wish to do good, evil is present.

Worsley New Testament
I find then a kind of law, that when I would do good, evil besets me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Struggling with Sin
20And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.…

Cross References
Galatians 5:17
For 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 4:1
What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Genesis 6:5
Then 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.

Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Psalm 51:5
Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For 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 6:12
For 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.

Isaiah 64:6
Each 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.

Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.

1 John 1:8
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Mark 7:21-23
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

Psalm 19:12
Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.


Treasury of Scripture

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

a law.

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 6:12,14
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof…

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.

evil.

2 Chronicles 30:18,19
For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one …

Psalm 19:12
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Psalm 40:12
For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.

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Ambush Close Desire Evil Find Good Hand Law Mind Nature Practise Present Principle Right Want Wants Work
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Ambush Close Desire Evil Find Good Hand Law Mind Nature Practise Present Principle Right Want Wants Work
Romans 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.














So this is the principle
The word "principle" in Greek is "nomos," which is often translated as "law." In this context, Paul is not referring to the Mosaic Law but rather a consistent rule or truth he has observed in his spiritual life. This principle is a universal truth about human nature and the struggle between the desire to do good and the presence of sin. Historically, this reflects the human condition post-Fall, where sin has entered the world and affects every person.

I have discovered
The Greek word here is "heurisko," meaning to find or discover. Paul is sharing a personal revelation, an insight gained through his own experiences and struggles. This discovery is not just intellectual but deeply experiential, highlighting the ongoing battle within every believer. It underscores the importance of self-awareness and spiritual introspection in the Christian journey.

When I want to do good
The desire to do good reflects the new nature of a believer, regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for "want" is "thelo," indicating a strong intention or desire. This desire is a result of the transformative work of Christ in a believer's life, aligning their will with God's. Historically, this aligns with the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, emphasizing the call to live a life of righteousness and holiness.

evil is right there with me
"Evil" in Greek is "kakos," referring to that which is morally wrong or wicked. The phrase "right there with me" suggests proximity and persistence, indicating that evil is not a distant threat but a present reality. This reflects the doctrine of original sin, where the sinful nature remains even after conversion, necessitating constant vigilance and reliance on God's grace. The historical context of this struggle is evident throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament narratives to the New Testament epistles, illustrating the ongoing battle between the flesh and the spirit.

(21) I find then a law.--Of the many ways of taking this difficult verse, two seem to stand out as most plausible or possible. In any case "a law" should be rather "the law." This is taken by the majority of commentators, including Bishop Ellicott, in the sense of "rule," "habitually-repeated fact." "I find this law, or this rule, that when I would do good evil is present with me." Such is my constant and regular experience. The objection to this interpretation is that it gives to the word "law" an entirely different sense from that which it bears in the context, or in any other part of St. Paul's writings. The other view is that which is maintained by Dr. Vaughan. According to this we should have to assume an anacoluthon. The Apostle begins the sentence as if he were going to say, "I find therefore the Law (the Mosaic law), when I desire to do good, unable to help me;" but he changes somewhat the form of the sentence in the latter portion, and instead of saying "I find the Law unable to help me," he says, "I find that evil is at my side." "To me" is also repeated a second time, in the Greek superfluously, for the sake of greater clearness. Or perhaps a still simpler and better explanation would be that the Apostle had intended in the first instance to say, "I find the Law, when I wish to do good, putting evil before me," and then shrank (as in Romans 7:7) from using so harsh an expression, and softened it by turning the latter half of the sentence into a passive instead of an active form--"I find the Law, when I wish to do good--that evil is put before me."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
ἄρα (ara)
Conjunction
Strong's 686: Then, therefore, since. Probably from airo; a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive.

[this is] the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative 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.

principle
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.

I have discovered:
Εὑρίσκω (Heuriskō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

When I
ἐμοὶ (emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

want
θέλοντι (thelonti)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

to do
ποιεῖν (poiein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

good,
καλὸν (kalon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2570: Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.

evil
κακὸν (kakon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.

is right there with
παράκειται (parakeitai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3873: To be at hand, be present with, rest with. From para and keimai; to lie near, i.e. Be at hand.

me.
ἐμοὶ (emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Letters: Romans 7:21 I find then the law that (Rom. Ro)
Romans 7:20
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