Romans 7:15 Meaning and Explanation
“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul describes the inner war: he does what he does not approve, fails to do the good he wants, and does the very thing he hates.
What Does Romans 7:15 Mean?
Paul lays bare a struggle every honest conscience knows. His actions outrun his approval; the good he wills slips away undone, while the evil he hates gets done. The will reaches one way and the deed goes another, and the division is wrenching.
This is the cry of a heart that loves the good yet feels the drag of sin. The presence of the conflict is itself a sign of grace, for one wholly at peace with sin would not hate it. The longing for good is real and God-given, yet longing alone cannot win the battle. Paul is pressing his readers toward the One who can give not only the will but the power.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 7:15
What does Romans 7:15 mean?
Paul describes the inner war: he does what he does not approve, fails to do the good he wants, and does the very thing he hates.