Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Romans 7:21

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

What he says is not very clear. What then is it that is said? I praise the law, he says, in my conscience, and I find it pleads on my side so far as I am desirous of doing what is right, and that it invigorates this wish. For as I feel a pleasure in it, so does it yield praise to my decision. Do you see how he shows, that the knowledge of what is good and what is not such is an original and fundamental part of our nature, and that the Law of Moses praises it, and getteth praise from it? …

Homily on Romans 13 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

The expression is unclear; something is lacking in it. It should have said: so then, when I wish to do good, I find the law to be my defender, yet I do not do the good, because evil is present with me. The meaning of the present passage is this: the knowledge of good has been implanted in me from the beginning; I also find that the law defends it, and praises it, and I desire to do good, but I am drawn in by some other force, and evil is present with me, that is, the working of evil is not destroyed in me. However, St. …

Commentary on Romans ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

After showing that the law is good because it concords with reason, the Apostle now draws two conclusions based on the two things he had posited; the second conclusion is at but I see another law. In regard to the first he does two things: first, he draws a conclusion from what he had said; second, he offers a sign to clarify it, at for I am delighted. Now he had posited two things. …

Commentary on Romans ↗