Romans 7:18

Verse 18. For I know. This is designed as an illustration of what he had just said, that sin dwelt in him. That is, in my flesh. In my unrenewed nature; in my propensities and inclinations before conversion. Does not this qualifying expression show that in this discussion he was speaking of himself as a renewed man? Hence he is careful to imply that there was at that time in him something that was right or acceptable with God, but that that did not pertain to him by nature. Dwelleth. His soul was wholly occupied by that which was evil. It had taken entire possession. No good thing. There could not be possibly a stronger expression of belief of the doctrine of total depravity.