Rabbinic discussions of the good and evil inclination consist of the frame of Jewish anthropology. Such an understanding of human beings is also found in the first century Judaism. Paul, who was raised in a Jewish environment, must have been aware of the details of Jewish anthropology. His presentation of human problems in Romans 7:14-25 resembles it in that both of the perspectives share the same kind of frame and concepts. However, Paul departs from the Jewish understanding of human beings in that (1) the law is no solution for the sin or human desire, but still a part of the problem, (2) the Holy Spirit is the ultimate answer to that problem, and (3) his perspective upon human beings under the law is no optimistic but pessimistic. His anthropology is quite different from that of Judaism of his day. According to him, human beings are able to discern the good from the evil. Yet, they have no moral capacity to perform what they perceive as good. New Testament scholars who adhere to the New Perspective upon Paul need to explain how this pessimistic anthropology of Paul can be compatible with their understanding of justifications, which emphasizes transformation and moral deeds. Pauline anthropology requires salvation by grace, not by works. It is also to be brought into theological consideration that the sin that Christians fight against is no outward structural or environmental sin but the sin residing deep inside us.