Paul now explains his experience during the period when he was “sold under sin” (v. 14).

 The word “do” occurs three times in this verse and is the translation of three different Greek words. In the first instance Paul uses katergazomai, the same word as in v. 8, meaning “to carry into effect,” “to achieve,” “to accomplish.” See below for a discussion of the other words translated “do.”

Gr. thelō, “to desire,” “to wish.”

 In this case, the word for “do” (poieō) implies rather the performance or completion of an act, as in ch. 4:21. Martin Luther had evidently learned the meaning of this experience when he said, “I am more afraid of my own heart than of the Pope and all his cardinals.”

 Those who hold that Paul is describing his experience when under conviction prior to yielding himself to Jesus Christ (see on ch. 7:14) believe that the apostle is further emphasizing the impotence of anything but the gospel to provide the power to enable him to perform works of righteousness. Compare the experience of Charles Wesley (see GC 254-256). Complete frustration will be the experience of all who seek salvation without a complete surrender to Jesus Christ. Those who hold that Paul is describing the continuing struggle with self and sin, even after conversion, point out that even after conversion Christians are still conscious of imperfection and sin in their lives, and this is a continuing source of uneasiness and concern. In unguarded moments the strength of natural passion may at times overcome them. The power of long-cultivated habits still annoys them. Evil thoughts of self-indulgence still spring up in their minds with the speed of lightning. The man who was an infidel before his conversion, and whose mind was once filled with skepticism, may find the effect of his former habits of thinking still lingering in his mind and annoying his peace for years. Such are the effects of habit. The very passage of an impure thought through the mind leaves pollution behind it, and where sin has been long indulged, it leaves a searing scar on the soul, even after conversion, producing that state of tension with which every Christian is familiar.

As he sees these former desires and feelings, which he disapproves and hates, day by day clamoring to reassert their power over him, the Christian struggles against their influence, and longs to be filled with all the fruits of the Spirit of God. But he finds that neither of himself nor by the aid of the law can he effect his freedom from what he hates, or succeed in performing those deeds that he approves and desires to do. Every evening witnesses his penitent confession of helplessness, and his longing desire for aid from above (see 4T 429).

 Gr. ou prassō. Prassō means “to practice.” The word occurs also in chs. 1:32; 2:1-3, 25; etc.

Gr. ginōskō, “to know,” “to come to know,” “to perceive,” “to recognize.” Compare the translation, “I do not understand my own actions” (RSV).