Romans 7:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} I see {G991} another {G2087} law {G3551} in {G1722} my {G3450} members {G3196}, warring against {G497} the law {G3551} of my {G3450} mind {G3563}, and {G2532} bringing {G163} me {G3165} into captivity {G163} to the law {G3551} of sin {G266} which {G3588} is {G5607} in {G1722} my {G3450} members {G3196}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but in my various parts, I see a different “torah,” one that battles with the Torah in my mind and makes me a prisoner of sin’s “torah,” which is operating in my various parts.

Berean Standard Bible

But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.

American Standard Version

but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 7:23 captures the Apostle Paul's profound and often-debated description of the internal spiritual conflict experienced by an individual—often interpreted as a believer—who desires to obey God's righteous standards but finds themselves continually pulled by the pervasive power of sin. This verse vividly portrays two opposing "laws" or principles at war within the human person: the "law of the mind," which assents to God's will, and "another law in my members," which operates as the "law of sin," leading to a state of spiritual captivity and highlighting the inherent human inability to achieve righteousness through self-effort or adherence to the Law alone.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 7:23 is situated within Paul's extended theological argument concerning the Law, sin, and grace, which begins in [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ") and culminates in [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit"). Having established that believers are "dead to sin" and "alive unto God" in [Romans 6:11](/romans/6-11 "Romans 6:11 - Alive to God"), Paul then addresses the Law's role. In [Romans 7:7-13](/romans/7-7-13 "Romans 7:7-13 - The Law Reveals Sin"), he clarifies that the Law is not sin but rather reveals sin, making it exceedingly sinful. The passage immediately preceding verse 23, [Romans 7:14-25](/romans/7-14-25 "Romans 7:14-25 - The Inner Conflict"), describes the agonizing struggle of a person who delights in God's Law "after the inward man" ([Romans 7:22](/romans/7-22 "Romans 7:22 - Delighting in God's Law")) but is simultaneously enslaved by sin dwelling within their physical members. Verse 23 is the climax of this lament, setting the stage for the triumphant declaration of deliverance in [Romans 8:1-4](/romans/8-1-4 "Romans 8:1-4 - No Condemnation in Christ").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's letter to the Romans was written to a diverse community of Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, a major imperial city. The audience would have been familiar with the concept of "law" (Greek: _nomos_), whether referring to the Mosaic Law, Roman legal codes, or even philosophical principles governing human conduct. The struggle Paul describes was not unique to his time; ancient philosophical traditions (e.g., Stoicism, Platonism) also grappled with the tension between reason/virtue and passions/bodily desires. However, Paul's unique contribution is framing this conflict not merely as a philosophical dilemma but as a spiritual battle against an active, personified power of sin, rooted in the fallen human condition and ultimately requiring divine intervention. The concept of "captivity" would resonate with a Roman audience, who understood the harsh realities of slavery and conquest.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans. It underscores the **pervasiveness and power of sin**, demonstrating that sin is not merely a collection of individual acts but an indwelling, enslaving "law" or principle ([Romans 7:17](/romans/7-17 "Romans 7:17 - Sin Dwelling Within")). It highlights **human inability** to achieve righteousness or overcome sin through self-effort or adherence to the Law, setting the stage for the necessity of divine grace and the work of the Holy Spirit. The theme of **spiritual warfare** is prominent, depicting an intense internal conflict between the regenerated mind and the persistent pull of the flesh. Crucially, this struggle serves to magnify the **glorious deliverance found in Christ Jesus**, as the subsequent chapter, [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit"), presents the solution to the dilemma posed in [Romans 7:24](/romans/7-24 "Romans 7:24 - Paul's Cry for Deliverance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Law (Greek, _nómos'_):** This word is used four times in Romans 7:23, and its meaning subtly shifts, reflecting different principles or forces. Derived from a root meaning "to parcel out," it refers broadly to a prescriptive usage, regulation, or principle. In this verse, it denotes an operating principle or power. "The law of my mind" refers to the principle of God's righteous standard that the renewed intellect assents to. "Another law in my members" and "the law of sin" refer to the powerful, inherent principle or influence of sin that operates within the physical body and its desires, acting as a dominant, enslaving force.
* **Warring against (Greek, _antistrateúomai'_):** From _anti_ (against) and _strateúomai_ (to make war, serve as a soldier), this compound verb carries a strong military connotation. It signifies an active, hostile campaign or a deliberate act of opposition. The use of this term emphasizes the intense, ongoing, and aggressive nature of the internal conflict Paul describes, portraying the "law in my members" as an active enemy engaged in battle against the "law of my mind."
* **Bringing into captivity (Greek, _aichmalōtízō'_):** This verb means "to make captive" or "to lead away captive," often used in the context of military conquest where prisoners of war are taken. Its use here powerfully illustrates the enslaving nature of sin. It's not merely a temptation but a force that seizes and holds the individual in bondage, highlighting the dire predicament of one under the dominion of sin, unable to escape its grasp by their own strength.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I see another law in my members":** Paul begins with a contrasting conjunction ("But"), shifting from his delight in God's law to the stark reality of an opposing force. He perceives ("I see," _blépō_, indicating a clear observation) a distinct, alien "law" or operating principle. This "another law" resides "in my members" (_en mélos_), referring to the physical body and its inherent fallen nature, which serves as the seat of sinful desires and impulses.
* **"warring against the law of my mind":** This "law in my members" is not passive but actively engaged in conflict. The military term "warring against" (_antistrateúomai_) vividly depicts an ongoing, hostile campaign. Its adversary is "the law of my mind" (_nómos noûs_), which represents the intellect or inner person that assents to God's righteous standard and desires to obey it. This clause highlights the internal, spiritual battle between the desire for righteousness and the pull of the flesh.
* **"and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members":** The consequence of this warfare is not a stalemate but a defeat. The "law in my members" succeeds in "bringing me into captivity" (_aichmalōtízō_), a powerful image of being seized and enslaved. The ultimate master is identified as "the law of sin," which is the dominant, enslaving principle of sin. The phrase "which is in my members" reiterates that this enslaving power operates from within the very fabric of the fallen human being, emphasizing its pervasive and inescapable nature apart from divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 7:23 is rich in **Metaphor** and **Personification**. The concept of "law" is used metaphorically to describe an operating principle or power, rather than a codified set of rules. Paul speaks of "another law in my members" and "the law of my mind" as if they are distinct forces or entities. This is further developed through **Personification**, where these "laws" are depicted as active agents. The "law in my members" is personified as a soldier "warring against" the "law of my mind," engaging in a hostile conflict. Furthermore, this "law of sin" is personified as a captor, "bringing me into captivity," highlighting its active, enslaving power over the individual. The use of **Antithesis** is also central, as the verse presents a stark contrast between two opposing principles: the "law of the mind" (desiring good) and the "law of sin" (leading to evil), emphasizing the profound internal struggle.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 7:23 stands as a profound theological statement on the enduring struggle with sin even for those who desire to do good. It underscores that the problem of sin is not merely external, but an internal, indwelling principle ("the law of sin") that actively opposes the renewed mind's desire for righteousness. This internal conflict reveals the utter inadequacy of human will or the Mosaic Law to deliver from sin's power, setting the stage for the glorious solution found exclusively in Christ Jesus and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. The verse highlights the depth of human depravity and the pervasive nature of sin's dominion over the fallen self, demonstrating that true spiritual freedom requires a power beyond human capacity.

* [Galatians 5:17](/galatians/5-17 "Galatians 5:17 - Flesh vs. Spirit")
* [1 Peter 2:11](/1_peter/2-11 "1 Peter 2:11 - Abstain from Fleshly Lusts")
* [James 4:1](/james/4-1 "James 4:1 - Wars and Conflicts Within")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 7:23 offers a profound and often comforting insight into the Christian experience. It legitimizes the reality of an ongoing internal struggle with sin, affirming that even a sincere desire to follow God's will does not eliminate the persistent pull of the flesh. For believers, this verse serves as a reminder that the battle against sin is real and universal, a testament to the presence of both the old nature and the new. It prevents self-condemnation for those who find themselves wrestling with unwanted thoughts or desires, showing that this tension is part of the human condition in a fallen world. More importantly, it points us beyond ourselves, highlighting our absolute dependence on God's grace and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit for victory. Understanding this struggle should not lead to despair but to a deeper reliance on Christ's finished work and the daily infilling of the Spirit, recognizing that while the tension may remain, sin's dominion has been broken.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's description of the "warring" laws in Romans 7:23 resonate with your own inner experience?**
* **In what ways does this verse highlight the limitations of self-effort or adherence to rules in achieving true righteousness?**
* **How does understanding this internal conflict deepen your appreciation for the deliverance offered through Jesus Christ?**
* **What practical steps can you take to yield more fully to the "law of your mind" (God's will) rather than the "law of sin" in your daily life?**

### FAQ

**Does Romans 7:23 describe the experience of a believer or an unbeliever?**

Answer: This is one of the most debated questions in biblical scholarship. While some interpret [Romans 7:14-25](/romans/7-14-25 "Romans 7:14-25 - The Inner Conflict") as describing the struggle of an unregenerate person coming to terms with the Law, the prevailing view among many scholars is that Paul is describing the ongoing, internal conflict of a regenerate believer. Paul uses present tense verbs ("I see," "warring," "bringing me into captivity"), suggesting a current reality. Furthermore, the "law of my mind" ([Romans 7:23](/romans/7-23 "Romans 7:23 - The Inner Conflict")) and delighting in God's law "after the inward man" ([Romans 7:22](/romans/7-22 "Romans 7:22 - Delighting in God's Law")) are characteristics typically associated with a renewed heart, not an unregenerate one. The passage serves to emphasize the utter necessity of the Holy Spirit's power for victory, which is then elaborated upon in [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit"), suggesting that even believers face this internal tension until glorification.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 7:23, with its stark portrayal of the believer's internal struggle and captivity to the "law of sin," finds its ultimate resolution and Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul's desperate cry in [Romans 7:24](/romans/7-24 "Romans 7:24 - Paul's Cry for Deliverance"), "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?", is immediately answered in [Romans 7:25](/romans/7-25 "Romans 7:25 - Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ!"). This transition signals that Christ is the sole deliverer from the dominion of sin. Through His death, Jesus condemned sin in the flesh ([Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - God's Solution for Sin")), and through His resurrection, He provides the power for believers to walk "not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - Walking According to the Spirit")). The "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" has set us free from "the law of sin and death" ([Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "Romans 8:2 - Freedom from Sin and Death")). Thus, while the tension described in Romans 7:23 may persist in the believer's earthly experience, Christ's atoning sacrifice and the indwelling Holy Spirit break sin's power, ensuring that sin no longer has dominion ([Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Romans 6:14 - Sin No Longer Has Dominion")) and offering the promise of ultimate victory and glorification.

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

Galatians 5:17

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

James 4:1

¶ From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members?

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.

Romans 6:19

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Romans 7:25

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

1 Peter 2:11

Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Hebrews 12:4

¶ Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.