en_tn/rom/07/23.md

# a different law in the members of my body ... fights against that new law in my mind

Paul has a desire to obey God, but at times he also has a desire to do things that God hates. He writes of the two desires he has as if they were two men fighting each other. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# a different law

These words refer to the natural human desire to rebel against God and disobey him. Paul calls this a law because he has observed that this is the way people live. It is not a collection of written commands.

# in the members of my body

The phrase "the members of my body" is another way of saying "my flesh" ([7:18](./18.md)), which is a metaphor for the old nature, opposed to God, with which Paul was born. Here it is a metonym for the actions people do because of that old nature. Alternate translation: "in my actions" or "in my behviors" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])

# that new law in my mind

These words refer to the law of Moses, which was God's commands in written form ([Romans 7:22](./22.md)).

# the law of sin that is in the members of my body

This "law of sin" is the same as the "different law," the natural human desire to rebel against God and disobey him. Paul calls this a law because he has observed that this is the way people live. It is not a collection of written commands.