Struggling with Sin

13 {Did} that which [is] good, then, become death to me? Certainly not! But in order that sin might be exposed as sin, it produced death in me through what [was] good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

14 We know that [the] law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want [to do], I do not do. But what I hate, I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want [to do], I admit that the law [is] good. 17 In that case, {it is} no longer I who do it, but [it is] sin living in me [ that does it ].

18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but [I] cannot [carry it out]. 19 For I do not do [the] good I want [to do]. Instead, I keep on doing [the] evil I do not want [to do]. 20 And if I do what I do not want, [it is] no longer I who do it, but [it is] sin living in me [ that does it ].

21 So [this is] the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in [my] inner being I delight in God’s law. 23 But I see another law [ at work ] in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within [me].[fn]

24 [What a] wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 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.