What are the identity and theological significance of the "wretched man" of Romans 7? The thesis of this essay is that Romans 7:14-25 should be studied in relation to, on the one hand, what is called the Jewish doctrine of the "two Impulses," and on the other hand the immediate rhetorical context of Romans. It is argued that Paul is protecting himself from accusations of apostasy from the law of Moses and that he wants to indicate the universal need for the gospel. The article first gives a brief description of the issues concerning the interpretation of this text and then notes how good and evil and human choice functioned in Judaism.