7:18a
In the Greek, 7:18a begins with a word that is usually translated as “For.” This word introduces a sentence that explains or confirms what Paul said (“sin living in me”) in 7:17. In some languages, it may be more natural to omit this word and leave the connection with 7:17 implicit, as the Berean Standard Bible does.
nothing good lives in me: Paul again referred to himself as a house/place inside which living things can live. The word lives has the same meaning as in 7:17.
7:18b
that is, in my flesh: The words that is introduce a clarification. When Paul wrote “in me” in 7:18a, he specifically meant in my flesh.
my flesh: Here the word flesh refers to the physical side of life. See how you translated the word flesh in 7:14, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “unspiritual.”
7:18c
for: This word introduces a sentence that explains “nothing good dwells in me.”
I have the desire to do what is good: The Greek is literally “the to-will/desire is present with me.” This indicates that in Paul’s situation, the will or desire was available for him to take. Here are other ways to translate this Greek clause:
the desire to do good is in me (Good News Translation)
-or-
the will to do what is good is in me (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the wanting to do good is present/available to me
The Greek words “the good” (Berean Standard Bible: what is good) appear in the next clause, but apply here as well, so many English versions move it here.
7:18d
but I cannot carry it out:
The Greek is literally “the to-work the good not.” The words “is present with me” from the Greek in 7:18c are implied here and go with “not.” This indicates that in Paul’s situation, the effort to produce good results was not available within him. Here are other ways to translate this Greek clause:
the power to do it is not (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
but doing the good is not (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
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