Answer
In Romans 7:15, the apostle Paul writes, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Here, Paul confesses that he does not understand why he continues to sin. He wants to do righteousness, but he does not do it. Rather, he finds that he commits sin, the very thing he hates.
Many interpreters believe that Paul is describing his pre-conversion life. In this view, Romans 7:15 articulates the vanity of trying to keep the law without the redemptive work of Christ. This interpretation aligns with Galatians 2:16, where Paul writes, “Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” Thus, Paul’s words, “What I want to do I do not do,” reflect the struggle of those who wish to be justified by observing the law. Apart from Christ no one is justified (Romans 3:20).
Other interpreters believe that Romans 7:15 is a post-conversion confession. When Paul says, “What I want to do I do not do,” he describes the believer’s ongoing struggle with sin. Yes, Paul has been freed from the dominion of sin (Romans 6:14), but there is still a battle to be fought. Christians have been liberated from the penalty and power of sin, but we continue to live in the presence of sin. As a result, there is an internal battle between our sinful flesh and the Holy Spirit: “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” (Galatians 5:17, ESV). The only way to overcome the flesh is to “keep in step with the Spirit” (verse 25). In doing so, we will produce fruit of righteousness (Philippians 1:11) instead of fruit that leads to death (Romans 6:21).
This second interpretation aligns with the doctrine of sanctification and the progressive transformation of believers into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Paul’s struggle in Romans 7:15, then, illustrates the inner conflict that persists even after we accept Christ as Lord and Savior.
Both unbelievers and Christians can identify with the words, “What I want to do I do not do.” Anyone who has the smallest desire to do what is right often finds himself doing what is wrong. The sin nature is a powerful force, and, as Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We do what is wrong because we are sinners. Even our good intentions (“what I want to do”) are thwarted!
Unfortunately, we cannot claim ignorance. We know what displeases God, yet we still do it (Romans 2:9). So much for Socrates’ contention that “no man voluntarily pursues evil, or that which he thinks to be evil” (Plato, Protagoras, trans. B. Jowett, 1999).
Romans 7:15 prompts readers to reflect on the universality of sin and the need for God’s grace and mercy. Whether recounting his pre-conversion frustration or post-conversion struggles, Paul’s candid admission establishes a principle of empathy. So, instead of acting “holier than thou,” we should remember that everyone is saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). Amen.
