Romans 7:20

20 If I do what I don't want to do, this means that I am no longer the one who does it; instead, it is the sin that lives in me.

Romans 7:20 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 7:20

Now if I do that I would not
The same conclusion is formed here, as in ( Romans 7:17 ) , not with any view to excuse himself from blame in sinning, but to trace the lusts of his heart, and the sins of his life, to the source and fountain of them, the corruption of his nature; and to ascribe them to the proper cause of them, which was not the law of God, nor the new man, but sin that dwelt in him.

Romans 7:20 In-Context

18 I know that good does not live in me - that is, in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it.

19 I don't do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do.

20 If I do what I don't want to do, this means that I am no longer the one who does it; instead, it is the sin that lives in me.

21 So I find that this law is at work: when I want to do what is good, what is evil is the only choice I have.

22 My inner being delights in the law of God.