What does “nothing good dwells in me” mean (Romans 7:18)?

In Romans 7, the apostle Paul discusses the believer’s internal struggle between the desire to do good and the reality of human sinfulness. This conflict is waged within the heart and soul of every genuine follower of Christ. These verses help us understand and expect that, throughout our Christian lives, we will feel the strain of our human physical condition against the hopefulness of our redeemed spiritual reality. Paul states, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (Romans 7:18, ESV).

Paul zeroes in on the dichotomy between the flesh and the Spirit. He writes, “I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin” (Romans 7:14; see also Romans 7:20). When he says, “Nothing good dwells in me,” he is referring to the inherent sinfulness of human nature. The term translated as “flesh” in Romans 7:18 refers to the physical part of human beings that is prone to sin and rebellion against God. Elsewhere, Paul refers to the flesh as “the old self” (see Ephesians 4:22–24; Colossians 3:9–10; Romans 6:6). “Good” refers to moral excellence. Paul acknowledges that his old sinful nature often hinders him despite his best intentions and desires to live a righteous life.

Jesus also acknowledged the struggle we face with the flesh. As He went ahead of the disciples to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus left them to watch and pray. When Jesus returned to the disciples, He found them all asleep. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” Jesus asked. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:40–41).

Believers are filled with the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation (John 7:37–39; see also John 14:16–17; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Galatians 3:14; Ephesians 1:13). The Spirit comes to live in us, but the flesh still lives in us, too, and the two are continuously at war. While the Spirit within us seeks to align with God’s will, the flesh remains weak and susceptible to sin. We may desire to do what is good and righteous, but we will fail unless we depend on the Holy Spirit’s empowerment.

Paul taught the Galatians to live by the power of the Spirit: “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions” (Galatians 5:16–17, NLT).

When Paul stated, “Nothing good dwells in me,” and, “I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19), he was expressing the frustration and tension every believer feels of wanting to do good but falling short due to the limitations of his human nature. Paul was not saying that he never did anything good and only did evil. The Bible testifies that Paul accomplished much good for the gospel’s sake and in obedience to Jesus Christ. Instead, Paul recognized the capacity for sin that still existed in him.

As long as we live in this fallen world, the lure of sin will never go away (1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:14). The flesh wants what it wants. But deliverance from the temptation to sin is promised. Victory is inevitable, but it is a hope that will only be realized in the future (see 2 Corinthians 5:1–4). While we await our resurrection bodies and full inheritance in Christ, we must live in these weak, earthly “tents.” But thanks be to God, His grace covers us now, and we have victory because of His sacrifice on the cross for our sins (Hebrews 10:10, 14; Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6; 2:13; Hebrews 13:20–21).

By saying, “Nothing good dwells in me,” Paul humbly admits his shortcomings and need to depend on the Holy Spirit. In Romans 8, Paul expounds on the believer’s life in the Spirit and how the power of God’s Spirit enables us to live in victory over sin, a power the Old Testament Law could not give. He stresses the need for grace and reliance on Jesus Christ for salvation and righteousness. Paul is not giving us an excuse for sin but rather pointing to the power of Christ to overcome the inherent sinfulness of the flesh.

Nothing good dwells in me is a powerful reminder of our human condition and the ongoing battle between the desire to do good and the reality of sin. We recognize our dependence on God’s grace and the transformative power of Christ to live a life that pleases God. Through his struggle, Paul teaches the importance of humility, reliance on God, and the future hope that comes from faith in Jesus Christ.