Romans 7:22

KJV

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} I delight {G4913} in the law {G3551} of God {G2316} after {G2596} the inward {G2080} man {G444}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For in my inner self I completely agree with God’s Torah;

Berean Standard Bible

For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.

American Standard Version

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 7:22 encapsulates a profound spiritual reality experienced by the regenerate believer: a genuine, internal affinity and delight for God's holy and righteous law, even amidst the ongoing struggle with indwelling sin. This verse highlights the renewed nature of the "inward man," which, having been transformed by God's grace, aligns itself with divine truth and wisdom, setting the stage for the ultimate victory found in Christ and the Spirit's power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 7:22 is situated within Paul's intricate and often debated exposition on the relationship between the believer, the Law, and sin. Preceding this verse, Paul establishes the Law's goodness and spiritual nature, contrasting it with the human inability to perfectly obey due to the power of sin (e.g., [Romans 7:7-13](/romans/7-7-13 "The Law Reveals Sin")). He then moves into a deeply personal and confessional section (often understood as the experience of a believer, though debated), where he describes an internal conflict: "For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do" ([Romans 7:15](/romans/7-15 "Paul's Struggle")). Verse 22, "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man," serves as a crucial counterpoint, revealing that despite the outward struggle and failure, a fundamental, inner agreement with God's standards persists. This sets the stage for the desperate cry in [Romans 7:24](/romans/7-24 "Who Will Deliver Me?") and the glorious resolution in [Romans 8:1-4](/romans/8-1-4 "Freedom in Christ through the Spirit").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in Rome would have been familiar with the Jewish understanding of the Law (Torah) as God's divine revelation and guide for life. For Jewish Christians, the Law was central to their identity and piety. For Gentile Christians, understanding the Law's role was crucial to grasping the nature of sin and the necessity of Christ's redemptive work. Paul's discussion here is not an attack on the Mosaic Law itself, which he affirms as "holy, righteous and good" ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "The Law is Holy")), but rather an exposition on its inability to grant righteousness or overcome sin in fallen humanity. The cultural context includes a Hellenistic philosophical backdrop where concepts of inner and outer man, or spirit and flesh, were common, though Paul redefines these terms through a distinct theological lens.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several major themes in Romans. It powerfully illustrates the **Believer's Dual Nature**, distinguishing between the regenerated "inward man" and the persistent "flesh" or sinful nature, a theme further explored in [Romans 7:18](/romans/7-18 "No Good Thing Dwells in My Flesh"). It underscores the **Goodness and Holiness of God's Law**, showing that the Law itself is not the problem, but sin's power over fallen humanity. Crucially, it highlights the reality of **Spiritual Conflict and Sanctification** within the Christian life, demonstrating that true faith involves a genuine desire for righteousness even when perfection is not yet attained. This internal delight in God's Law is a hallmark of the new covenant heart, foreshadowing the Spirit's work in enabling obedience as described in [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Life in the Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **delight (Greek, _synḗdomai'_):** This word, formed from _syn_ (with) and _hēdomai_ (to take pleasure), means "to rejoice with oneself," "to feel satisfaction concerning," or "to take pleasure in." It signifies a deep, internal agreement and affinity. It is not merely an intellectual assent but an emotional and volitional embrace, indicating that the core of the believer's being finds genuine joy and approval in God's Law.
* **law (Greek, _nómos'_):** Refers to "law" in its broadest sense, but in this context, it primarily denotes the Mosaic Law, the divine revelation of God's will and standards. Paul consistently affirms its holiness and goodness throughout Romans 7. The delight is not in a legalistic system for salvation, but in the inherent righteousness and wisdom of God's revealed character and commands.
* **inward (Greek, _ésō'_):** Derived from _eis_ (into), this adjective means "inside" or "inner." When combined with "man," it refers to the spiritual, inner being of a person, the part that has been renewed and illuminated by God's Spirit. It contrasts sharply with the "outer man" or "flesh," which remains susceptible to sin. This "inward man" is the true self, transformed by grace, that resonates with God's truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I delight in the law of God":** Paul expresses a profound personal affirmation. The conjunction "For" (G1063, _gár_) introduces the reason or explanation for his previous statements about the struggle with sin. Despite the inability to perfectly obey, the apostle's regenerated spirit, his "inward man," finds deep satisfaction and agreement with the divine principles and commands revealed in God's Law. This delight is not a superficial preference but an intrinsic alignment of the renewed heart with God's holiness.
* **"after the inward man":** This phrase specifies the faculty or aspect of Paul's being from which this delight originates. The "inward man" (G2080 _ésō_ G444 _ánthrōpos_) refers to the spiritual, inner self, the core of one's being that has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. It stands in direct contrast to the "flesh" (G4561 _sarx_), which Paul describes elsewhere as enslaved to sin. This clarifies that the delight in God's Law is a characteristic of the new creation in Christ, not of the fallen, unregenerate nature.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in this concise statement. There is a clear **Antithesis** implied between the "inward man" and the "flesh" or sinful nature that he has been discussing throughout [Romans 7](/romans/7 "Romans Chapter 7 - The Law and Sin"). While not explicitly stated in this verse, the contrast between the delight of the inner being and the struggle of the outer nature is foundational to the chapter's argument. The phrase "the law of God" can be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, where "law" stands for the entire revealed will and character of God. Furthermore, the concept of the "inward man" itself functions as a **Metaphor** for the regenerated spiritual core of a person, distinct from the physical or unredeemed self.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 7:22 offers a crucial insight into the nature of the regenerate heart. It demonstrates that true conversion involves not merely a change in behavior, but a fundamental reorientation of one's desires and affections. The delight in God's Law is a hallmark of a heart transformed by grace, indicating that the believer's deepest identity is now aligned with God's righteous character, even as the process of sanctification continues. This verse provides comfort and assurance that the internal struggle is not a sign of a lack of faith, but rather evidence of the new nature warring against the old, a tension that ultimately points to the necessity of Christ's deliverance.

* [Psalm 1:2](/psalms/1-2 "Delight in the Law of the Lord")
* [Psalm 119:97](/psalms/119-97 "How I love Your Law!")
* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "The New Covenant: Law on the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 7:22 provides profound reassurance and a framework for understanding the Christian life. It validates the common experience of internal conflict, where believers genuinely desire to obey God's commands but still find themselves struggling with sin. This verse reminds us that the presence of this struggle, coupled with a sincere delight in God's holy standards, is actually a sign of spiritual life and transformation, not a disqualifier of faith. It encourages us to nurture our "inward man" through consistent engagement with God's Word, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, recognizing that our true identity, in Christ, is one that loves and approves of God's perfect will. This delight is a foretaste of the full conformity to Christ that awaits us, and it fuels our pursuit of holiness even in the midst of imperfection.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do you experience the tension between your "inward man" delighting in God's law and the struggle with sin in your daily life?**
* **How does understanding that your "inward man" delights in God's law encourage you in your walk of faith, especially during times of struggle?**
* **What practical steps can you take to nurture your "inward man" and deepen your delight in God's Word and His will?**

### FAQ
**Does "inward man" refer to the spirit, soul, or something else entirely?**

Answer: The "inward man" (Greek: _ho esō anthrōpos_) in [Romans 7:22](/romans/7-22 "Romans 7:22 - Delight in the Law") refers to the spiritual, regenerated core of a person, the part that has been renewed and made alive by the Holy Spirit. It is distinct from the physical body or the unredeemed aspects of human nature (often called "flesh" by Paul in this chapter). While related to concepts of spirit and soul, Paul uses "inward man" to emphasize the new identity and disposition that a believer possesses in Christ, which is aligned with God's will and desires righteousness, in contrast to the persistent influence of sin from the fallen nature. This internal transformation is a result of God's work, making one a "new creation" as described in [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 7:22, with its declaration of delight in God's law by the "inward man," finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. While the verse powerfully articulates the genuine spiritual desire of the regenerate believer, it simultaneously underscores the human inability to perfectly fulfill that delight due to the power of indwelling sin, leading to the desperate cry of [Romans 7:24](/romans/7-24 "Who will deliver me?"). Christ is the answer to this cry. He perfectly delighted in and fulfilled the law of God, not just in His "inward man" but in every aspect of His life, living a sinless life as the only one truly able to obey God perfectly ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Jesus was tempted but without sin")). Furthermore, through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus takes away the condemnation of the Law for those who believe ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")), and by sending the Holy Spirit, He empowers the "inward man" to progressively live out that delight. The Spirit writes God's law on our hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "The New Covenant")) and enables us to walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Walking According to the Spirit")), transforming our desires into genuine love for God's commands, thereby bringing to fruition the very delight Paul speaks of in this verse.

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

Psalms 1:2

But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalms 40:8

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.

Psalms 119:35

¶ Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

Psalms 119:47

And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

Psalms 119:48

My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

Job 23:12

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].

Psalms 119:97

¶ MEM. O how love I thy law! it [is] my meditation all the day.