ACC ~ Romans 7 v18

NOTHING GOOD DWELLS WITHIN ME. AMBROSIASTER: Paul does not say that the flesh is evil, as some think, but that what dwells in the flesh is not good, i.e., sin. How does sin dwell in the flesh when it is not a substance but the perversion of what is good? Since the body of the first man was corrupted by sin and became dissolvable, this same corruption of sin remains in the body because of the state of transgression, retaining the strength of the divine judgment given in Adam, which is the sign of the devil, at whose prompting Adam sinned. Because of this sin is said to dwell in the flesh, to which the devil comes as if to his own kingdom. For the flesh is sinful and sin remains in it in order to deceive man by evil temptations, so that man will not do what the law commands.

Man can agree that what the law commands is good; he can say that it naturally pleases him and that he wants to do it. But in spite of all that, the power and the strength to carry out his wishes is lacking because he is so oppressed by the power of sin that he cannot go where he wants nor can he make contrary decisions, because another power is in control of him. For man is burdened by his habit of sinning and succumbs to sin more readily than to the law, which he knows teaches what is good. For if he wants to do what is good, habit backed by the enemy prevents him. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THE SOUL GOVERNS THE BODY. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul is not attacking the flesh when he says this. The fact that nothing good dwells in it does not mean that it is evil. … Paul is not finding fault with the body but pointing out that the soul is superior to it. It is the soul which governs the body and is responsible for sin, not the flesh. HOMILIES ON ROMANS 13.

AUGUSTINE: It is possible for a good to be performed when there is no yielding to evil lust, but the good is completed or perfected only when evil lust itself no longer exists. CONTINENCE 3.6.

AUGUSTINE: Paul says that the evil of the flesh is not good but that when this evil has ceased to exist the flesh will still be there, but … then it will not be defective or corrupt. CONTINENCE 8.19.

PELAGIUS: Paul does not say that his flesh is not good. The will is there but not the action, be-cause carnal habit opposes the will. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

I CANNOT DO IT. PROSPER OF AQUITAINE: Although Paul has received the knowledge of right willing, he cannot find in himself the power to do what he wills. It is not until he receives a good will as a gift that he finds the power for the virtues which he seeks. GRACE AND FREE WILL 4.2.

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