New Testament. Matt. 27 : 43, " Let him deliver him, if he will have him, i. e. if he delights in him;" Matt. 9: 13. 12: 7. Heb. 10: 5, 8, and Ps. 21 : 9. 39 : 7, in the Septuagint. The word will, therefore, does not express so much a mere determination of the mind, as a state of the feelings and judgment. ' What I love and approve, that I omit; what I hate and disapprove, that I do.' Whether the conflict here described is that which, in a greater or less degree, exists in every man, between the natural authoritative sense of right and wrong, and his corrupt inclina- tions ; or whether it is peculiar to the Christian, must be decided by considerations drawn from the whole description, and from the connex- ion of this passage with the preceding and succeeding portions of the apostle's' discourse. It is enough to remark here, that every Christian can adopt the language of this verse.
Two consequences flow from this representation of the experience of the Christian. First, the fault is felt and acknowledged to be his own ; the law is not to be blamed, v. 16. Second, this state of feeling is con- sistent with his being a Christian, v. 17.
(16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Paul here asserts that his acting contrary to the law was no evidence that he thought the law evil ; for what he did, he disap- proved. But to disapprove and condemn what the law forbids, is to assent to the excellence of the law. There is a constant feeling of self- disapprobation, and a sense of the excellence of the law in the Chris- tian's mind. He is, therefore, never disposed to blame the extent or severity of the law, but admits the fault to be in himself. / consent to, literally, I speak with, agree with, concede to,
(17) Now then it is no more I that do it, hut sin that dwelleth in me. Now then, that is, under these circumstances, or, this being the case. Or the meaning may be hut now, i. e. since I became a Christian. The former explanation is to be preferred on account of the connexion of this verse with v. 15, from which this passage is an inference. ' If the case be so, that I am sold under sin and am its unwilling slave ; if I do what I disapprove, and fail to accomplish what I love ; it is clear that it is not properly and fully I that do it, my real self; my better feelings or renovated nature is opposed to what the law forbids.' This is noc said as an exculpation, but to exhibit the extent and power of indwelling sin, which it is beyond our own power, and beyond the power of the law, to eradicate or effectually control. This feeling of helplessness is not only consistent with a sense and acknowledgment of accountability, but is always found united with genuine self-condemnation and peni- tence. The apostle's object, therefore, is not to apologize for sin, but to show that the experience detailed in v. 15 is consistent with his being a Christian. ' If it is true that I really approve and love the law, and desire to be conformed to it, I am no longer the willing slave of sin ; to the depth and power of the original evil is to be attributed the fact that I am not entirely delivered from its influence.'