Charles Spurgeon Commentary Romans 7:15

"For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do." — Romans 7:15 (ASV)

For that which I do I allow not:

The man himself does what is evil, but his conscience revolts against it.

For that which I do I allow not:

I often do that which I do not justify, which I do not wish to do again, which I abhor myself for doing.

For what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

This is a strange contradiction – a man who has grace enough to will to do good, and yet does it not. There are two men in the one man – the new nature struggling against the old nature. This must be a renewed man who talks in this fashion, or else he could not say that he hated sin; yet there must be a part of him still imperfect, or else he would not do that which he hates.