ACC ~ Romans 7 v16

THE VOICE IS OF ONE UNDER THE LAW, PRIOR TO GRACE. AUGUSTINE: The law is defended against every accusation, but we must be careful not to think that these words deny our free will, which is not true. The man being described here is under the law, before the coming of grace. Sin overpowers him when he attempts to live righteously in his own strength, without the help of God’s liberating grace. For by his free will a man is able to believe in the Deliverer and to receive grace. Thus with the deliverance and help of him who gives it, he will not sin and will cease to be under the law. Instead, being at one with the law or in the law, he will fulfill it by the love of God which he could not have done through fear. AUGUSTINE ON ROMANS 44.

WHY I DO WHAT I DO NOT WANT. [PSEUDO-] CONSTANTIUS: If I should want to keep the commandments of the law, which are contrary to the will of the flesh, then according to the flesh I do what I do not want to do, but at the same time, according to the will of the Spirit, I agree that the law of God is spiritual and good. THE HOLY LETTER OF ST. PAUL TO THE ROMANS.

PELAGIUS: Paul says that if he does not want to do the particular evil which he does, at least he agrees with the law, which does not desire evil and prohibits it. But it can also be understood thus: if a man sins, he subjects himself to the severity of the law. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

THE LAW IS GOOD. THEODORET OF CYR: Paul says that he learned to hate what he does from the law, and therefore he defends the law and says that it was right. INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS.

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