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Romans 7:16

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 7:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Romans 7:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; --that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.
14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do.
16But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.
18For 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.
19For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise.
← Romans 7:15Romans 7:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If then I do that which I would not, etc..] This is a corollary, or an inference from what he had related of his own experience; that since what he did, though it was contrary to the law of God, yet was what he did not will nor allow of, but hated, it must be a clear point, that he consented to the law, that it was good; lovely and amiable; that it forbad those things which were hateful, and commanded those things which were desirable to a good man; and so is acknowledged to be a very beautiful rule of obedience, walk, and conversation.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If then I do that which I would not--"But if what I would not that I do," I consent unto the law that it is good--"the judgment of my inner man going along with the law."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I consent unto the law - The very struggle with evil shows that it is not loved, or approved, but that the Law which condemns it is really loved. Christians may here find a test of their piety. The fact of struggling against evil, the desire to be free from it, and to overcome it, the anxiety and grief which it causes, is an evidence that we do not love it, and that there. fore we are the friends of God. Perhaps nothing can be a more decisive test of piety than a long-continued and painful struggle against evil passions and desires in every form, and a panting of the soul to be delivered from the power and dominion of sin. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“It is good - This single word implies all the three that were used before, Rom 7:12, "holy, just, and good." Romans 7:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I consent: Rom 7:12, Rom 7:14, Rom 7:22; Psa 119:127, Psa 119:128 Romans 7:17”
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Related study paths

Read Romans 7 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification