I find then, &c. The Gr. construction of this verse is difficult. But the explanation is helped by remembering that the law, not "alaw," is the right version; and all analogy of passages leads us to refer this to the Divine Law. There can thus be little doubt of the practical meaning of the verse: "such is the relation between me and the Law, that my will is with it, my action is against it." The Gr. is (as nearly literally as possible), So then I find the Law, with me willing to do what is good, [I find, I say,] that with me what is evil is present. The construction is rapid and broken, but characteristic of St Paul. It is as if he had written, "I find the Law thusin its attitude; I find that what is evil is present with me, while yet my will is for the good."

He thus states, (what it is one main object, if not the chief of all, to state in this whole remarkable passage of the Epistle,) that the subjugation of sin is not the function of the Law. The awful holiness of the Law both evokes the resistance of sin, and (in the regenerate) ever more and more detects its presence in the minutest shades. Another Influence (Romans 8:3) is needed, side by side with this detection, if sin is to be subdued.

Meyer suggests a rendering of the above clauses which is perfectly possible as regards construction, but in our view less natural, and less proper to the context: "I find then that with me, choosing [willing, lit.] the law, so as to do right, evil is present."

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