Romans 7:16

16 But if I do that which I do not desire to do, I admit the excellence of the Law,

Romans 7:16 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 7:16

If then I do that which I would not
This is a corollary, or an inference from what he had related of his own experience; that since what he did, though it was contrary to the law of God, yet was what he did not will nor allow of, but hated, it must be a clear point, that he

consented to the law, that it was good;
lovely and amiable; that it forbad those things which were hateful, and commanded those things which were desirable to a good man; and so is acknowledged to be a very beautiful rule of obedience, walk, and conversation.

Romans 7:16 In-Context

14 For we know that the Law is a spiritual thing; but I am unspiritual--the slave, bought and sold, of sin.

15 For what I do, I do not recognize as my own action. What I desire to do is not what I do, but what I am averse to is what I do.

16 But if I do that which I do not desire to do, I admit the excellence of the Law,

17 and now it is no longer I that do these things, but the sin which has its home within me does them.

18 For I know that in me, that is, in my lower self, nothing good has its home; for while the will to do right is present with me, the power to carry it out is not.