**For we know that the law is spiritual : but I am carnal, sold undei sin, *^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 con- sent unto the law that it is good. ^^Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ^^^For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing : for to will is present with me ; but how to perform that which is good I find not. ^Wox the good that I would J 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 dwelleth in me. ^q find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. ^^¥ox I delight in the law of God after the inward man : ^^hwX I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ^*0 wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? ^^I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God ; but with the flesh the law of sin.
The apostle, having exhibited the operation of the law in producing conviction of sin, comes now to show its effect on the mind of the be- liever. It cannot secure his sanctification. The cause of this inability is not in the evil nature of the law, which is spiritual, v. 14; but in the power of indwelling sin, " I am carnal," says the apostle, " sold under sin," V. 14. As this is not only a strong, but an ambiguous expression, Paul immediately explains his meaning. He does not intend to say that he was given up to the willing service of sin ; but that he was in the condition of a slave, whose acts are not always the evidence of his in- clination. His will may be one way, but his master may direct him another. So it is with the believer. He does what he hates, and omits to do what he approves, v. 15. This is a description of slavery, and a clear explanation of what is intended by the expression " sold under sin." There are two obvious inferences to be drawn from this fact. The one is, that the believer, while denying the sufficiency of the law, and maintaining the necessity of deliverance from it, bears an inward testimony to its excellence. He feels and admits that the law is good, v. 16 ; for il is the law which he approves, and the transgression of it which he hates as stated in the preceding verse. The second inference is, that acts thus performed are not the true criterion of character. " Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me," v. 17. The acts of a