# Romans 7.18-20 **Book:** [Romans](/codex/romans/) · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT ## Immediate context (±2 verses) **ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/)) > 16. But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17. So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. > > **18. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not. 19. For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise. 20. But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.** > > 21. I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present. 22. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (Romans 7:16-22, ASV) **WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/)) > 16. But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good. 17. So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. > > **18. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good. 19. For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice. 20. But if what I don’t desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.** > > 21. I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present. 22. For I delight in God’s law after the inward man, (Romans 7:16-22, WEB) **KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/)) > 16. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. > > **18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.** > > 21. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (Romans 7:16-22, KJV) **YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/)) > 16. And if what I do not will, this I do, I consent to the law that [it is] good, 17. and now it is no longer I that work it, but the sin dwelling in me, > > **18. for I have known that there doth not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh, good: for to will is present with me, and to work that which is right I do not find, 19. for the good that I will, I do not; but the evil that I do not will, this I practise. 20. And if what I do not will, this I do, it is no longer I that work it, but the sin that is dwelling in me.** > > 21. I find, then, the law, that when I desire to do what is right, with me the evil is present, 22. for I delight in the law of God according to the inward man, (Romans 7:16-22, YLT) ## Setting - **Speaker:** Paul the Apostle - **Audience:** Christian believers in Rome (Jew + Gentile) - **Location:** composed in Corinth; addressed to Rome - **Time period:** composed c. AD 57 ## Theological reading ## Key words - [G0266 - hamartia](/codex/g0266-hamartia/), *hamartia* (Strong's G266). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.21](/codex/matthew-1-21/), [Matthew 9.4-8](/codex/matthew-9-4-8/), [Matthew 12.31-32](/codex/matthew-12-31-32/). - [G4561 - sarx](/codex/g4561-sarx/), *sarx* (Strong's G4561). Also appears in: [Matthew 19](/codex/matthew-19/), [Matthew 26.41](/codex/matthew-26-41/), [Mark 14](/codex/mark-14/). ## Why these four translations ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance. The four: - **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition. - **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English. - **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base. - **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff. See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses. ## Quoted in **Arguments and defeaters:** - [Anthropology Defeats Christianity Objection Defeater](/codex/anthropology-defeats-christianity-objection-defeater/), via [Romans 7.18-19](/codex/romans-7-18-19/) - [Argument from Free Will](/codex/argument-from-free-will/), via [Romans 7.15-23](/codex/romans-7-15-23/) - [Christians Behaving Badly Defeater](/codex/christians-behaving-badly-defeater/), via [Romans 7.14-25](/codex/romans-7-14-25/) **Concepts:** - [Hypocrisy](/codex/hypocrisy/), via [Romans 7.19](/codex/romans-7-19/) - [Original Sin](/codex/original-sin/), via [Romans 7.14-25](/codex/romans-7-14-25/) - [Sanctification](/codex/sanctification/), via [Romans 7.14-25](/codex/romans-7-14-25/) - [Sin](/codex/h2403-chattath/), via [Romans 7.14-25](/codex/romans-7-14-25/), [Romans 7.15-25](/codex/romans-7-15-25/) **Lexicon:** - [G0266 - hamartia](/codex/g0266-hamartia/), via [Romans 7.20](/codex/romans-7-20/) - [G3551 - nomos](/codex/g3551-nomos/), via [Romans 7.7-25](/codex/romans-7-7-25/) - [G4561 - sarx](/codex/g4561-sarx/), via [Romans 7.18](/codex/romans-7-18/) - [H8451 - torah](/codex/h8451-torah/), via [Romans 7.7-25](/codex/romans-7-7-25/)