Romans 7:23
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Original Language Analysis
νόμῳ
law
G3551
νόμῳ
law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
4 of 27
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀντιστρατευόμενον
warring against
G497
ἀντιστρατευόμενον
warring against
Strong's:
G497
Word #:
9 of 27
(figuratively) to attack, i.e., (by implication) destroy
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμῳ
law
G3551
νόμῳ
law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
11 of 27
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νοός
mind
G3563
νοός
mind
Strong's:
G3563
Word #:
13 of 27
the intellect, i.e., mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμῳ
law
G3551
νόμῳ
law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
19 of 27
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Galatians 5:17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.James 4:1From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?Romans 8:2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.Romans 7:25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.Romans 6:19I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.1 Peter 2:11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;Hebrews 12:4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.Psalms 142:7Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.Ecclesiastes 7:20For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.Romans 7:5For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
Historical Context
Paul's warfare metaphor would resonate with Roman believers familiar with military conquest imagery. The Christian life is depicted not as peaceful coexistence between flesh and Spirit but total war, with the Spirit ultimately victorious (chapter 8) but real battles lost along the way. This realism prevents triumphalist presumption while maintaining confidence in final victory.
Questions for Reflection
- Where do you most clearly see the 'warfare' between the law of your mind (regenerate desire) and the law of sin (remaining corruption)?
- How does the warfare metaphor help you understand why sanctification feels like battle rather than automatic progression?
- What strategies has God given you for fighting sin's 'captive-taking' attempts?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But I see another law in my members—Blepō de heteron nomon en tois melesin mou (βλέπω δὲ ἕτερον νόμον ἐν τοῖς μέλεσίν μου, "but I see a different law/principle in my members") introduces the counter-force to v. 22's inward delight. Mele (μέλη, "members") refers to bodily faculties as instruments of remaining sin. This "law" is sin's patterns operating through the flesh.
Warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members—Antistrateuomenon (ἀντιστρατευόμενον, "making war against") is military terminology for active combat. Aichmalōtizonta (αἰχμαλωτίζοντα, "taking captive") depicts prisoners of war. The "law of my mind" (tō nomō tou noos mou) is regenerate reason aligned with God; "law of sin" (tō nomō tēs hamartias) is remaining corruption. These wage war continuously, with sin temporarily gaining advantage, producing Paul's anguish (v. 24).