its legality, is beautiful : %a\bg, beautiful , suggests holiness, justice, and goodness, ver. 12.
17. Oux tr/j no longer) These words are repeated, ver. 20. — oixouda, dwelling) ver. 18, 20. This word is afterwards used con- cerning the Spirit, ch. viii. 9.
18. old a, I know) This very knowledge is a part of this state, which is here described. — roorsonv , that is) It is a limitation of the sense ; in me is more than in my flesh , and yet the flesh is not called sin itself1 (we must make this observation con- trary to the opinion of Flacius) ; but what Paul says, is : sin dwells in the flesh. And already this state, of which Paul is treating, carries along with it some element of good. — QsXeiv to will) The Accusative, good, is not added after to will; and the delicacy [minute accuracy] of this language expresses the deli- cacy [minute accuracy] in the use of the expression, to will, — rtapaxztrai) ps present] lies in view, without [my being able to gain] the victory. The antithesis, concerning the performance of good works, is the not [I find not] which occurs presently after. My mind, though seeking [that, which is good], does not in reality find it.
20. Ovk in) no longer ,2 namely, as I formerly used to perpe- trate it [taken from xaripy&Zpfmi], Some degree of serenity and deliverance gradually arises. I is emphatic, in antithesis to sin , He who says with emphasis, it is not I that will it [non volo ego], instead of the former, I would not [ non volo (without ego) I do not will] (ver. 15) is already farther removed from sin.
21. Ety/Vxw) In this distressing conflict I find the law, [But Engl. Yers. u a law”] without which I formerly lived. This is all [I merely find the law]. That proposition, which occurs at ver. 14, is repeated. — rov vo>gv) the law itself, which is in itself holy. — rOj QeXovn, [for, or to me] willing) The Dative of advan- tage : I find the law, which is not sinful or deadly [for, or] to me [so far as I am concerned ; in my experience]. The first principles of harmony, friendship, and agreement between the law and man, are expressed with admirable nicety of language. The participle is purposely put first, rw 9s\ovn sjuoi, for, or to the
1 It is only called sinful. — Ed.
2 Not now, as in former times, when I was wholly dead in sin. — Ed.