Romans 7:19

KJV

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063}{G3739} the good {G18} that I would {G2309} I do {G4160} not {G3756}: but {G235} the evil {G2556} which {G3739} I would {G2309} not {G3756}, that {G5124} I do {G4238}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For I don’t do the good I want; instead, the evil that I don’t want is what I do!

Berean Standard Bible

For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do.

American Standard Version

For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 7:19 encapsulates the profound and often agonizing internal conflict experienced by individuals, particularly those striving for righteousness: the persistent chasm between one's earnest desire to do good and the regrettable reality of succumbing to actions contrary to that will. This verse, a candid confession from the Apostle Paul, articulates the universal human struggle with sin's indwelling power, highlighting the paradox where good intentions are thwarted by an inherent propensity towards evil, even when actively resisted.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 7:19 is situated within a deeply introspective and pivotal section of Paul's letter to the Romans, specifically [Romans 7:7-25](/romans/7-7-25 "Romans 7:7-25 - The Law, Sin, and the Believer's Struggle"). In this passage, Paul meticulously explores the relationship between the Mosaic Law, sin, and the believer's experience. He clarifies that the Law itself is holy, just, and good, serving to reveal sin rather than to cause it. The preceding verses, particularly [Romans 7:14-17](/romans/7-14-17 "Romans 7:14-17 - Paul's Internal Conflict"), establish the core problem: Paul, though desiring to obey, finds himself enslaved to sin, describing himself as "carnal, sold under sin." Verse 19 is a direct, concise summary of this internal battle, setting the stage for the ultimate resolution and liberation found in [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in Rome included both Jewish and Gentile believers, many of whom would have been steeped in either the Mosaic Law or various philosophical systems emphasizing moral self-improvement. The Jewish believers, in particular, would have understood the Law as a divine guide for righteousness. Paul's argument challenges the notion that adherence to the Law, or any external moral code, can by itself lead to perfect obedience or freedom from sin. He addresses the common human experience, transcending specific cultural norms, of knowing what is right but failing to do it. This struggle was not unique to first-century Roman society but is a timeless human condition, which Paul, as a former zealous Pharisee, understood intimately from his own pre-conversion and likely ongoing post-conversion experience.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans and Paul's theology. It underscores the theme of **Human Inability** to perfectly obey God's law through sheer willpower, demonstrating that even with good intentions, humanity is fundamentally flawed by sin. This leads directly to the theme of the **Pervasiveness of Sin**, not merely as external acts but as an indwelling power ("sin that dwelleth in me" as stated in [Romans 7:17](/romans/7-17 "Romans 7:17 - Sin Dwelling Within")). Finally, it highlights the intense **Inner Conflict** within the believer, a spiritual battle between the desire to live righteously and the persistent pull of the sinful nature, a tension further elaborated in [Galatians 5:17](/galatians/5-17 "Galatians 5:17 - The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit"). This verse serves as a crucial bridge, emphasizing the need for a divine solution beyond human effort, which Paul presents as the grace of God in Christ Jesus and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit in [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **good (Greek, _agathós'_):** This word denotes something intrinsically good, beneficial, or morally excellent. In this context, it refers to the moral good that Paul's renewed mind and spirit desire to perform, aligning with God's righteous standards. It stands in direct contrast to "evil."
* **would (Greek, _thélō'_):** This verb signifies a conscious, active determination, a strong desire, or an intention. Paul is not merely passively wishing; he actively wills and chooses to do the good, indicating a genuine internal disposition towards righteousness. The tension lies between this strong internal will and the external action.
* **do (Greek, _prássō'_):** While the KJV uses "do" for both instances, the Greek differentiates. For the evil, Paul uses _prássō_, which implies doing something repeatedly, habitually, or as a practice. This choice of word emphasizes that the evil he does is not an isolated incident but a recurring pattern, despite his conscious will against it, highlighting the persistent nature of the internal struggle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the good that I would I do not:"** Paul expresses a profound disconnect between his internal desire and his external action. His conscious will (_thélō_) is directed towards performing what is morally good (_agathós_), yet he finds himself unable to consistently execute this good. This clause reveals the frustration of a person whose intentions are pure, but whose performance falls short due to an unseen, internal resistance.
* **"but the evil which I would not, that I do."** This second clause presents the stark antithesis. Not only does Paul fail to do the good he desires, but he actively performs (_prássō_) the very evil (_kakós_) that he consciously wills *not* to do (_thélō_ with _ou_, the absolute negative). This highlights the paradoxical nature of the struggle: the actions are contrary to the deepest, most sincere intentions, indicating a power beyond his immediate will at play.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 7:19 is rich with literary devices that amplify its profound message. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, where contrasting ideas ("good" vs. "evil," "would" vs. "do not," "would not" vs. "do") are juxtaposed to create a sharp and impactful statement about internal conflict. This creates a powerful **Paradox**, as Paul describes a situation that seems contradictory: a person desiring good but performing evil, and desiring to avoid evil but performing it. This paradoxical statement effectively conveys the bewildering and frustrating nature of the human struggle with sin. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Confession** or **Lament**, a deeply personal and honest admission of spiritual wrestling, making it highly relatable to readers who experience similar internal battles. This direct and unvarnished self-disclosure lends significant weight and authenticity to Paul's theological argument.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 7:19 serves as a powerful theological statement about the human condition under the dominion of sin, even for those with a renewed desire for righteousness. It underscores the reality that while the Law is good and reveals God's perfect standard, it cannot provide the power to fulfill that standard. This verse highlights the profound spiritual battle between the regenerate spirit and the lingering sinful nature, demonstrating that salvation is not merely a matter of intellectual assent or moral striving, but a radical transformation and empowerment by God's grace. It sets the stage for the glorious solution found in Christ Jesus, emphasizing that true freedom and victory over sin's power come not through self-effort, but through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

* [Galatians 5:17](/galatians/5-17 "Galatians 5:17 - The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit")
* [1 John 1:8](/1_john/1-8 "1 John 1:8 - If we say we have no sin")
* [Psalm 51:5](/psalms/51-5 "Psalm 51:5 - Born in Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 7:19 offers profound comfort and validation to believers who wrestle with persistent sin and spiritual failure. It reminds us that even the Apostle Paul, a spiritual giant, experienced the frustrating reality of desiring good but doing evil, and desiring to avoid evil but succumbing to it. This passage prevents us from falling into despair or self-condemnation when we fail, instead fostering humility and a deeper dependence on God's grace. It teaches us that the Christian life is not a quick fix to sin's presence, but an ongoing battle against its power, a battle that requires constant reliance on the Holy Spirit. Understanding this verse encourages us to confess our struggles honestly, to seek God's mercy, and to continually press into the freedom and empowerment offered in Christ, rather than relying on our own flawed willpower. It points us beyond our own efforts to the divine power that alone can enable us to live in accordance with our regenerated desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most acutely experience the tension between what you desire to do (good) and what you actually do (evil)?**
* **How does Paul's confession in Romans 7:19 challenge or affirm your understanding of the Christian struggle with sin?**
* **What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper dependence on the Holy Spirit's power to overcome the "evil which you would not" but sometimes do?**

### FAQ
**Does Romans 7:19 describe Paul's pre-conversion or post-conversion experience?**

Answer: This question has been a subject of extensive theological debate. While some scholars interpret [Romans 7:14-25](/romans/7-14-25 "Romans 7:14-25 - The Christian's Struggle") as a description of the unregenerate person under the Law, the prevailing and more textually coherent view is that Paul is describing the ongoing, internal struggle of a *regenerate* believer. His language ("I delight in the law of God according to the inward man," [Romans 7:22](/romans/7-22 "Romans 7:22 - Delight in the Law of God")) suggests a renewed mind and spirit, which an unregenerate person would not possess. The passage highlights the persistent reality of the flesh's influence even in a believer, necessitating the Holy Spirit's power described in [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit"). It is a candid admission of the spiritual battle, not a statement of defeat, but a prelude to victory in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 7:19, with its raw depiction of human inability to consistently do good, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Paul's lament, "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do," perfectly sets the stage for the glorious declaration in [Romans 8:1-4](/romans/8-1-4 "Romans 8:1-4 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus"). The Law, though good, could only reveal sin and condemn; it could not provide the power to overcome the indwelling "law of sin" ([Romans 7:23](/romans/7-23 "Romans 7:23 - The Law of Sin")). Christ, however, perfectly fulfilled the Law on our behalf through His sinless life and atoning death, becoming "the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ the End of the Law")). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, indwells believers, empowering them to "walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - Walking According to the Spirit")). Thus, the struggle described in [Romans 7](/romans/7 "Romans 7 - The Law, Sin, and the Believer") is not the final word for the believer; rather, it underscores the absolute necessity of Christ's finished work and the Spirit's ongoing sanctifying power, which enables us to progressively live out the good we genuinely desire, bringing true freedom from the dominion of sin ([Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Romans 6:14 - Sin Shall Not Have Dominion")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 7:15

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.