Romans 7:19

19 For what I do is not the good thing that I desire to do; but the evil thing that I desire not to do, is what I constantly do.

Romans 7:19 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 7:19

For the good that I would, I do not
The apostle here repeats what he had delivered in ( Romans 7:15 Romans 7:16 ) to strengthen and confirm this part of his experience; that though he had a will to that which was good, yet he wanted power, and had none of himself to perform; and therefore often did what he would not, and what he would he did not.

Romans 7:19 In-Context

17 and now it is no longer I that do these things, but the sin which has its home within me does them.

18 For I know that in me, that is, in my lower self, nothing good has its home; for while the will to do right is present with me, the power to carry it out is not.

19 For what I do is not the good thing that I desire to do; but the evil thing that I desire not to do, is what I constantly do.

20 But if I do that which I desire not to do, it can no longer be said that it is I who do it, but the sin which has its home within me does it.

21 I find therefore the law of my nature to be that when I desire to do what is right, evil is lying in ambush for me.