Romans 7:23

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 7:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Romans 7:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23but 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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But I see another law in my members, etc..] That is, he saw, he perceived it by experience; he felt the force and power of inbred corruption working in him, and as a law demanding obedience to it; and which he might well call “another law”, it being not only distinct from, but opposite to the law of God he delighted in; the one is good, the other evil; this other law is a transgression of the law of God, and which he observed to be “in [his] members”, i.e. in the members of his body; not that it had its seat only, or chiefly in his body, and the parts of it, but because it exerted itself by them, it made use of them to fulfil its lusts: the same phrase is used in the Targum on (<193803>Psalm…”
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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
“But I see another--it should be "a different" law in my members--(See on Rom 7:5). warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members--In this important verse, observe, first, that the word "law" means an inward principle of action, good or evil, operating with the fixedness and regularity of a law. The apostle found two such laws within him; the one "the law of sin in his members," called (in Gal 5:17, Gal 5:24) "the flesh which lusteth against the spirit," "the flesh with the affections and lusts," that is, the sinful principle in the regenerate; the other, "the law of the mind," or the holy principle of the renewed nature. Second,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But I see another law - Note, Romans 7:21. In my members - In my body; in my flesh; in my corrupt and sinful propensities; Note, Romans 6:13; compare 1 Corinthians 6:15; Colossians 3:5. The body is composed of many members; and as the flesh is regarded as the source of sin Romans 7:18, the law of sin is said to be in the members, that is, in the body itself. Warring against - Fighting against; or resisting. The law of my mind - This stands opposed to the prevailing inclinations of a corrupt nature. It means the same as was expressed by the phrase “the inward man,” and denotes the desires and purposes of a renewed heart. And bringing me into captivity - Making me a prisoner, or a captive.…”
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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
“But I see another law in my members - Another inward constraining power of evil inclinations and bodily appetites. Warring against the law of my mind - The dictate of my mind, which delights in the law of God. And captivating me - In spite of all my resistance Romans 7:24”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:23 another power. . . . This power (literally another law. . . . This law): Paul plays on the word law in these verses. Opposed to God’s law (7:22) is another law, a ruling power that prevents Paul from submitting to God’s law even though he fully agrees with it.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“another: Rom 7:5, Rom 7:21, Rom 7:25, Rom 8:2; Ecc 7:20; Gal 5:17; Ti1 6:11, Ti1 6:12; Heb 12:4; Jam 3:2, Jam 4:1; Pe1 2:11 members: Rom 6:13, Rom 6:19 and: Rom 7:14; Psa 142:7; Ti2 2:25, Ti2 2:26 Romans 7:24”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification