Romans 7:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Once more Paul attributes the evil he does, against his own will, to the sin that dwells within him.
What Does Romans 7:20 Mean?
Paul repeats his earlier distinction, underlining it. When he acts against his own will, the act does not flow from his renewed self but from sin lodged within. The doubled statement drives home that the indwelling power of sin is the persistent enemy in this war.
Far from a loophole, this is clear-eyed honesty about the divided life. The self that loves God and the sin that still clings are not identical, and naming the difference helps the believer fight rather than despair. Yet Paul does not leave us merely diagnosing the enemy; the whole struggle strains toward the thanksgiving and deliverance that Christ alone supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 7:20
What does Romans 7:20 mean?
Once more Paul attributes the evil he does, against his own will, to the sin that dwells within him.