Romans 7:14 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

But I am carnal— The Apostle is here demonstrating the insufficiency of the law, in opposition to the Gospel; but if by I he meant himself, or any other person whohad embraced the Gospel, then his argument would prove the insufficiency of the Gospel, as well as of the law. The verse may be paraphrased thus: "For we all are agreed that the law is spiritual, requiring actions pure and rational, and quite opposite to those which our carnal affections dictate. But I, the sinner, am carnal, under the dominion of sensual appetite and the habits of sin, and for that reason condemned by the law: the fault is not in the law, but in me the sinner, as appearshence;—that which I do, I allow not," &c. Sold under sin, implies a willing slavery, as Ahab had sold himself to work evil, 1 Kings 21:20 and the Jews, Isaiah 50:1. Ye have sold yourselves to your iniquities: he does not mean that the sinner is forced to sin. Buying and selling are often used metaphorically in Scripture; where we are said to buy, when we diligently use the proper means to gain knowledge and good habits; and to sell, when we neglect and abandon ourselves to ignorance and vice. See Isaiah 55:1; Isaiah 55:3.Proverbs 23:23. Matthew 13:45-46. Revelation 3:18. Deuteronomy 32:30.