This week we delve into Romans 7:15-24. I went to the Bible gateway website (it’s on the sidebar if you want to click over) and I looked at a few different translations.
King James:
15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18For 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.
19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23But 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.
24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
The Message:
14-16I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
21-23It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
24I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?
Douay-Rheims:
15For that which I work, I understand not. For I do not that good which I will; but the evil which I hate, that I do.
16If then I do that which I will not, I consent to the law, that it is good.
17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18For I know that there dwelleth not in me, that is to say, in my flesh, that which is good. For to will, is present with me; but to accomplish that which is good, I find not.
19For the good which I will, I do not; but the evil which I will not, that I do.
20Now if I do that which I will not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21I find then a law, that when I have a will to do good, evil is present with me.
22For I am delighted with the law of God, according to the inward man:
23But I see another law in my members, fighting against the law of my mind, and captivating me in the law of sin, that is in my members.
24Unhappy man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thought the different translations were interesting. I promise I won’t post this many translations every day. For some reason today I wanted to see what they all said, so I went with it. 
Day 1: INITIAL READ/CONTEXT
With an expectant heart, read this week’s passage. Keep a pen and your journal handy. On this
initial read, simply write down anything that jumps off the page and ministers to your own heart.
If you are unfamiliar with the passage, look into the context of the verses. Why were these words
written? By whom, to whom?
Read the passage again. This time write down any questions you may have about the passage.
The purpose of the initial read is to get familiar with the text, not to answer all of your questions.
No comments:
Post a Comment