Bible Strands
Romans 7:25
Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman believers immediately after describing his inability to escape the "body of death" in verse 24. He delivers this declaration at the climax of his argument about the struggle between desire and obedience.
The words — χάρις (charis) literally means "thanks" and anchors the opening doxology. διὰ (dia) carries the sense of "through," indicating Jesus Christ as the instrumental means of that thanksgiving.
The thread — The tension between flesh and spirit recurs in Galatians 5:17, while the command to act in Jesus' name and give thanks appears in Colossians 3:17. The theme of divine power operating through human weakness is echoed in 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Why it lands — The text records the speaker's admission that his mind aligns with God's law while his flesh remains bound to sin's law. It requires the reader to acknowledge this internal division and direct gratitude to God through Jesus Christ rather than relying on self-resolution.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
I 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.
Cross-references
- Galatians 5:17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.
- Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- 1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- Psalms 107:15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.
- Isaiah 49:13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.
- Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed.
- Romans 6:14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!