Romans 7:18 says “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” This verse comes from a passage where the apostle Paul is reflecting on the human struggle with sin and righteousness. He is expressing frustration over his inability to always do what he knows is right, even as a follower of Christ. Let’s explore the meaning and context of this significant verse.
The Broader Context of Romans 7
Romans chapter 7 is part of a larger discussion by Paul about the relationship between the law, sin, and righteousness. In chapter 6, Paul established that believers are dead to sin and alive to God. But some might then ask, “Well if we’re not under law but under grace, why not just go on sinning?” Paul responds emphatically that Christians should not continue in sin. Then he delves into more detail in chapter 7 about the ongoing struggle with sin.
In the first part of Romans 7, Paul uses an illustration involving marriage to make a point about the law. He says that the law only has authority over someone while they are alive. Likewise, a woman is bound to her husband by the law while he is alive, but if he dies she is released from the marriage (Romans 7:1-6). Paul’s point is that Christians have “died” to the law through their union with Christ in his death, and now belong to Christ. Therefore, they are released from the law’s condemnation even though they still struggle with sin.
The Inner Conflict Described
Beginning in verse 7, Paul gets personal and transparent about his own experience with the law and sin. He explains that he would not have understood what sin really is without the law’s commands against coveting and other sins (v. 7). But sin seized the opportunity to stir up all kinds of sinful desires when Paul encountered the law’s prohibitions (v. 8).
Paul goes on to say, “I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died” (v. 9). What does he mean by this? He is likely reflecting on his own experience before his conversion, when he thought he was “alive” or righteous in himself through keeping the law, not realizing the depth of his own sinfulness. But when God opened his eyes to the true meaning and demands of the law, Paul realized how far short he fell. In that sense, the coming of the full truth of the law killed his supposed self-righteousness.
The Inner Struggle Unpacked
Paul then delves into the ongoing inner conflict he experiences as a believer, which sets up the statement in verse 18. He says, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (v. 18). Let’s take a closer look at what Paul is saying here.
“In my flesh”
By specifying “in my flesh,” Paul is clarifying that he is not talking about his whole self as a believer. Believers have been radically transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. But they are not yet fully redeemed and freed from the presence of sin in their mortal bodies. This residual sinfulness or “fleshly” tendency is what Paul has in view.
“Dwelleth no good thing”
Because of remaining sin, Paul says there is nothing good dwelling in his flesh. His fleshly desires and tendencies are completely tainted by sin. This is likely why Paul calls himself “wretched” in verse 24. Left to itself, the flesh can produce no righteousness that pleases God.
“To will is present with me”
However, the new nature given by the Holy Spirit produces new desires to obey God. So there is this new “willing” to do good within Paul. His new life in Christ has reshaped his fundamental desires, even if full righteousness has not yet been achieved.
“But how to perform that which is good I find not”
Here Paul arrives at the source of his frustration. Even though he sincerely wills and desires to do what is right as a Christian, he cannot always carry it out. Sin trips him up again and again. Doing the good he wants to do is a struggle because of the remaining sin still at work in his mortal body.
The Dual Nature of the Believer
In summary, Romans 7:18 expresses the dual nature of the Christian experience. Believers have been transformed on the inside by the Holy Spirit and given new desires to obey God. But they also face opposition from the persistence of sin in their unredeemed flesh. Augustine spoke of the ongoing “civil war” within the Christian between the flesh and the spirit.
Paul’s honesty and transparency here is so helpful for believers. We all face this same inner struggle with sin, even after salvation. Acting righteously does not always come easily. So we can take comfort that growth in holiness is a process. As we allow the Holy Spirit to increasingly transform us through renewing our minds and hearts in Christ, we gain ground little by little.
Other Key Verses in Romans 7
Let’s survey a few other key verses from Romans 7 that enrich our understanding of this section and the inner conflict described:
Romans 7:15 – I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
Paul confesses his own confusion about why he ends up sinning sometimes despite his new desires in Christ not to sin.
Romans 7:21 – So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
Again, this highlights the frustration of failing to do the good we desire because evil counters our efforts.
Romans 7:22 – For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.
As a Christian, Paul delights in God’s law because it reflects God’s righteousness and because the indwelling Holy Spirit has birthed love for the truth in his heart.
Romans 7:24 – What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
Using “wretched” to describe his condition, Paul laments being trapped in a sinful body awaiting full redemption. He recognizes his need for deliverance.
Romans 7:25 – Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Paul ends chapter 7 on a note of victory and confidence in the saving work of Jesus Christ. Although the struggle with sin continues, believers can look forward to ultimate deliverance and resurrection through Christ.
Applying Romans 7:18
What should Christians learn from Paul’s honest words in Romans 7:18? Here are some key applications:
1. We all struggle with indwelling sin.
Knowing that Paul the apostle struggled provides comfort and solidarity. Becoming a Christian does not automatically eradicate all sin from our lives. Growth in holiness is a process as God transforms us increasingly into the image of Christ.
2. Our new identity in Christ provides hope.
While sin remains during this life, we are “new creations” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). His Spirit dwells within us producing new desires, affections, and power to overcome sin. Our core identity is now found in Jesus, not performance.
3. We can bring our failures to God for forgiveness and help.
When we grieve over sin, we can draw near to God who promises to forgive us and cleanse us (1 John 1:9). His grace is sufficient to help us in every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
4. We must keep fighting against sin in the power of the Spirit.
Complacency and passivity feed sin’s growth. But we have been freed from sin’s dominion and empowered by the Spirit to pursue holiness. As we fill our minds with truth and yield ourselves to righteousness, sin’s influence diminishes.
5. Our full redemption is coming.
This life is not the end. At Christ’s return, we will receive resurrection bodies free forever from all indwelling sin. The fullness of our salvation remains ahead. We can walk confidently in this hope as we continue battling sin today.
Conclusion
Romans 7:18 vividly expresses the ongoing struggle with sin that every believer faces. Paul’s candid words about his own experience remind us that we all fight this “civil war” between the flesh and the spirit. The path of sanctification has ups and downs because sin remains present while we await full redemption. But in Christ we can rejoice that we have died to sin’s dominion and that His grace is sufficient for the journey. As we walk in step with the Spirit, He produces increasing victory over sin’s power and changes us ever more into the image of Jesus. We look forward to the day when we will finally be free of the presence of sin forever!