Romans 7:1-25, NLT
Romans 7
No Longer Bound to the Law
1Now, dear brothers and sisters*7:1 Greek brothers; also in 7:4.—you who are familiar with the law—don’t you know that the law applies only while a person is living?
4So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God.
God’s Law Reveals Our Sin
7Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.”*7:7 Exod 20:17; Deut 5:21.
13But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my death? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God’s good commands for its own evil purposes.
Struggling with Sin
14So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.
18And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.*7:18 Greek my flesh; also in 7:25. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.
21I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.