Romans 7:15-20 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me.
‘For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I’ After showing in Romans 7:7-14 that sin is more powerful than the law, Paul now shows that sin is more powerful than man who is a slave to sin (7:15-25). This verse is not to be used as an excuse to sin because we cannot help it! It states that when you are under sin, you will do things that you hate and will not be in control as long as you yield to a sinful nature. Christ has defeated sin and we have no excuse to stay in a sinful state. Not even the Old Testament saints yielded to sin after being freed from it as we can see in a summary of Hebrew 11.
‘I allow not’ – I do not approve of my slavery to sin.
‘What I would, that do I not’ – what I wish to practice, I cannot, for I am an unwilling slave to sin.
‘If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good’ – If I am forced to do what I do not want to do, then it is not I, but sin that enslaves by its indwelling power (7:16-20).
‘Will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not’ – I have a will, but it is so overpowered by the lusts of sin that I am helpless. My passion is stronger than my reason. My will, reason, understanding, and my conscience are on God’s side and consent to His will and law, but my slavemaster will not consent for me to serve God or His law.
Living the Word 