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Selected Verse: Romans 7:21 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Ro 7:21	King James	I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
I find then a law - There is a law whose operation I experience whenever I attempt to do good. There have been various opinions about the meaning of the word "law" in this place. It is evident that it is used here in a sense somewhat unusual. But it retains the notion which commonly attaches to it of what binds, or controls. And though this to which he refers differs from a law, inasmuch as it is not imposed by a superior, which is the usual idea of a law, yet it has so far the sense of law that it binds, controls, influences, or is that to which he was subject. There can be no doubt that he refers here to his carnal and corrupt nature; to the evil propensities and dispositions which were leading him astray. His representing this as a law is in accordance with all that he says of it, that it is servitude, that he is in bondage to it, and that it impedes his efforts to be holy and pure. The meaning is this, "I find a habit, a propensity, an influence of corrupt passions and desires, which, when I would do right, impedes my progress, and prevents my accomplishing what I would." Compare Gal 5:17. Every Christian is as much acquainted with this as was the apostle Paul. Do good - Do right. Be perfect. Evil - Some corrupt desire, or improper feeling, or evil propensity. Is present with me - Is near; is at hand. It starts up unbidden, and undesired. It is in the path, and never leaves us, but is always ready to impede our going, and to turn us from our good designs; compare Psa 65:3, "Iniquities prevail against me.' The sense is, that to do evil is agreeable to our strong natural inclinations and passions.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

I find then a law - There is a law whose operation I experience whenever I attempt to do good. There have been various opinions about the meaning of the word "law" in this place. It is evident that it is used here in a sense somewhat unusual. But it retains the notion which commonly attaches to it of what binds, or controls. And though this to which he refers differs from a law, inasmuch as it is not imposed by a superior, which is the usual idea of a law, yet it has so far the sense of law that it binds, controls, influences, or is that to which he was subject. There can be no doubt that he refers here to his carnal and corrupt nature; to the evil propensities and dispositions which were leading him astray. His representing this as a law is in accordance with all that he says of it, that it is servitude, that he is in bondage to it, and that it impedes his efforts to be holy and pure. The meaning is this, "I find a habit, a propensity, an influence of corrupt passions and desires, which, when I would do right, impedes my progress, and prevents my accomplishing what I would." Compare Gal 5:17. Every Christian is as much acquainted with this as was the apostle Paul.

Do good - Do right. Be perfect.

Evil - Some corrupt desire, or improper feeling, or evil propensity.

Is present with me - Is near; is at hand. It starts up unbidden, and undesired. It is in the path, and never leaves us, but is always ready to impede our going, and to turn us from our good designs; compare Psa 65:3, "Iniquities prevail against me.' The sense is, that to do evil is agreeable to our strong natural inclinations and passions.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
law Six "laws" are to be distinguished in Romans: The law of Moses, which condemns (Rom 3:19); The "law" as a principle, (Rom 3:21); The law of faith, which excludes self-righteousness (Rom 3:27); The law of sin in the members, which is victorious over the law of the mind (Rom 7:21); (Rom 7:23); (Rom 7:25); The law of the mind, which consents to the law of Moses, but cannot do it because of the law of sin in the members (Rom 7:16); (Rom 7:23); and, The "law of the Spirit," having power to deliver the believer from the law of sin which is in his members, and his conscience from condemnation by the Mosaic law. Moreover, the Spirit works in the yielded believer the very righteousness which Moses' law requires (Rom 8:2); (Rom 8:4).

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]

law

Six "laws" are to be distinguished in Romans:

The law of Moses, which condemns (Rom 3:19);

The "law" as a principle, (Rom 3:21);

The law of faith, which excludes self-righteousness (Rom 3:27);

The law of sin in the members, which is victorious over the law of the mind (Rom 7:21); (Rom 7:23); (Rom 7:25);

The law of the mind, which consents to the law of Moses, but cannot do it because of the law of sin in the members (Rom 7:16); (Rom 7:23);

and, The "law of the Spirit," having power to deliver the believer from the law of sin which is in his members, and his conscience from condemnation by the Mosaic law.

Moreover, the Spirit works in the yielded believer the very righteousness which Moses' law requires (Rom 8:2); (Rom 8:4).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
A law With the article, the law. The constant rule of experience imposing itself on the will. Thus in the phrases law of faith, works, the spirit. Here the law of moral contradiction. When I would (τῷ θέλοντι ἐμοὶ) Lit., as Rev., to me who would, or to the wishing me, thus emphasizing the I whose characteristic it is to wish, but not to do.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

A law

With the article, the law. The constant rule of experience imposing itself on the will. Thus in the phrases law of faith, works, the spirit. Here the law of moral contradiction.

When I would (τῷ θέλοντι ἐμοὶ)

Lit., as Rev., to me who would, or to the wishing me, thus emphasizing the I whose characteristic it is to wish, but not to do.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
I find then a law - An inward constraining power, flowing from the dictate of corrupt nature.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

I find then a law - An inward constraining power, flowing from the dictate of corrupt nature.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
I find then a law - I am in such a condition and state of soul, under the power of such habits and sinful propensities, that when I would do good - when my will and reason are strongly bent on obedience to the law of God and opposition to the principle of sin, evil is present with me, κακον παρακειται, evil is at hand, it lies constantly before me. That, as the will to do good is constantly at hand, Rom 7:18, so the principle of rebellion exciting me to sin is equally present; but, as the one is only will, wish, and desire, without power to do what is willed, to obtain what is wished, or to perform what is desired, sin continually prevails. The word νομος, law, in this verse, must be taken as implying any strong or confirmed habit, συνηθεια, as Hesychius renders it, under the influence of which the man generally acts; and in this sense the apostle most evidently uses it in Rom 7:23.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

I find then a law - I am in such a condition and state of soul, under the power of such habits and sinful propensities, that when I would do good - when my will and reason are strongly bent on obedience to the law of God and opposition to the principle of sin, evil is present with me, κακον παρακειται, evil is at hand, it lies constantly before me. That, as the will to do good is constantly at hand, Rom 7:18, so the principle of rebellion exciting me to sin is equally present; but, as the one is only will, wish, and desire, without power to do what is willed, to obtain what is wished, or to perform what is desired, sin continually prevails.

The word νομος, law, in this verse, must be taken as implying any strong or confirmed habit, συνηθεια, as Hesychius renders it, under the influence of which the man generally acts; and in this sense the apostle most evidently uses it in Rom 7:23.

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