Romans 7:7

τί οὖν ἐροῦμεν; Yet another suggestion stated, to be put aside. If under law we are slaves to sin, under grace to righteousness, it might be supposed that the law itself is sin: but as the law is a revelation of GOD‘s will, such a supposition would be monstrous.

ἀλλά introduces the true statement of the case, which covers the next few verses.

ἔγνων. Inceptive: I did not become conscious of sin but by the law, making its claim on me for right action.

τήν τε γὰρ ἐπιθυμίαν. Cf. 2 Corinthians 10:8 (ἐάν τε γὰρ). This isolated τε introduces a particular example of the effect of law from the 10th Commandment: almost = even, or in particular; cf. Shilleto, Dem. F. L. § 176, crit. ann.

οὐκ ᾔδειν. I had remained without knowledge of the real meaning of covetousness, if the law had not kept saying.… cf. Moulton, p. 200 f.