7:23a

But I see another law at work in my body: Here the word law refers to a principle, as in 7:21a. For example:

I see in my members another principle (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

Paul saw a law at work in his members. The words at work are implied here, but supplied by the Berean Standard Bible. For example:

I see, ⌊operating⌋ in my members, another principle
-or-
I see a different law at work in my body—a law that (Good News Translation)

my body: Here the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as body refers to parts of the body. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the parts of my body
-or-
my members (English Standard Version)
-or-
my outward actions (Revised English Bible)

7:23b

warring against the law of my mind: The word warring refers to fighting a war. Paul used this metaphor to indicate that the conflict or struggle was great. Here are other ways to translate these words:

fighting hard against the law of my mind
-or-
which battles against the law in my mind (New Jerusalem Bible)

Some languages must translate the metaphor of making war in a different way. For example:

opposes the law of my mind
-or-
oppresses/blocks the law of my mind

the law of my mind: Here the word law probably refers to a controlling principle, telling Paul, in his thinking, to do this or that.

7:23c

holding me captive to the law of sin: The Greek is more literally “capturing me in the law of sin.” It sees the law of sin as a place where Paul was held as a captive.

This figurative use of “in” is difficult to understand. So many English versions translate it as to or “of.” For example:

making me a prisoner of the law of sin (New International Version)

holding me captive: The phrase holding…captive is another metaphor of war. It refers to capturing enemy soldiers. Some would be killed but some would be made slaves. Here it refers to Paul being put under the law of sin. The words “another law” are implied at the beginning of this clause from 7:23a. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

making me a prisoner (New International Version)
-or-
bringing me into captivity (King James Version)

Some languages must translate the metaphor of taking captives in a different way. For example:

making me a slave
-or-
causing me to be like a slave

the law of sin: Here the word law probably refers to a controlling principle, telling Paul, in his thinking, to do this or that. See how you translated the word law in 7:23b.

that dwells within me: This clause further describes “the law of sin.” It does not separate this law of sin from other laws of sin. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word that. For example:

the law of sin, it dwells within me
-or-
the law of sin, and it dwells within me

dwells: The Greek word here is “be-ing.” It indicates that the law of sin exists in Paul’s members. Here are other ways to translate this word:

lives (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
is

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