John Calvin Commentary Romans 7:17

"So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me." — Romans 7:17 (ASV)

Now it is no more I who do it, etc. This is not the pleading of one excusing himself, as though he were blameless, as the case is with many frivolous people who think that they have a sufficient defense to cover all their wickedness when they cast the blame on the flesh; but it is a declaration by which he shows how very far he dissented from his own flesh in his spiritual inclination, for the faithful are carried along in their obedience to God with such fervor of spirit that they deny the flesh.

This passage also clearly shows that Paul speaks here only of the godly, who have already been born again; for as long as a man remains in his natural state, whatever he may be, he is justly deemed corrupt. But Paul here denies that he is wholly possessed by sin; indeed, he declares himself to be exempt from its bondage, as if he had said that sin only dwelt in some part of his soul, while with an earnest feeling of heart he strove for and aspired after the righteousness of God, and clearly proved that he had the law of God engraved within him.