What does Paul mean by "what I would, I do not, and what I hate, I do"?
Paul describes conflict between new nature prompted by Holy Spirit and old Adamic nature. The Spirit and new nature hate wrong, yet old Adam still slips in and gets deed done. That is why he does what he hates and does not do what he would; old Adam makes him do it.
Les explains that in Romans 7:17 Paul is dealing with the conflict between the body and the flesh and the new nature prompted by the Holy Spirit. Paul knows better and does not want to do the wrong, because the Spirit and the new nature tell him it is wrong. But the things the Spirit and His new nature hate, old Adam is still slipping in and getting the job done. To control the failures of the body, this part has to be strengthened and become uppermost in all our thoughts, acts, and deeds, and we have to constantly keep the old Adamic nature in suppression. Les also notes that the common excuse “the devil made me do it” is not very often the case; it is old Adam who makes us do it. Satan is not left out entirely, because he works through the old nature, his playground, to get the old Adamic nature to control and exercise its desires. But He that is within you is greater than the powers of Satan, so we have comfort.
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
More Questions
What does Paul mean in Romans 7:15 when he says, 'that which I do, I allow not'?
In Romans 7:15, Paul describes the conflict where the spirit side condemns what he lets old Adam do ('it's wrong, don't do this'), and the other side of the coin is that he does the very thing he does not want to do.