King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Sin was indeed present in the world before Torah was given, but sin is not counted as such when there is no Torah.
Berean Standard Bible:
For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law.
American Standard Version:
for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
(For{G1063} until{G891} the law{G3551} sin{G266} was{G2258} in{G1722} the world{G2889}: but{G1161} sin{G266} is{G1677} not{G3756} imputed{G1677} when there is{G5607} no{G3361} law{G3551}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Romans 4:15
- Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression.
1 Corinthians 15:56
- The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.
1 John 3:4
- ¶ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Genesis 4:7
- If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Genesis 4:11
- And now [art] thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
Genesis 38:7
- And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.
Genesis 38:10
- And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Romans 5:13
Romans 5:13 is a verse that addresses the relationship between sin and the law, a theme that is central to the Apostle Paul's theology. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the first century when Paul was writing to the Christian community in Rome, which was a diverse group of Jewish and Gentile believers. Paul is discussing the period before the Mosaic Law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai, explaining that sin existed in the world even before the law was introduced.
The verse states, "For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law." This means that although sin was present from the time of Adam (as Paul has previously discussed in Romans 5:12), it was not formally accounted for or charged against humanity in the same way it was after the law was given. The law, in this sense, refers to the detailed commandments and regulations that God gave to the Israelites, which are recorded in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.
Paul's argument is that the law revealed and defined sin more explicitly, making people more conscious of their transgressions. Before the law, sin was still a reality, but people did not have the same level of understanding or accountability for their actions as they did after the law was given. This understanding is crucial for grasping the transformative power of the Gospel that Paul preaches, where grace and righteousness come through Jesus Christ, not through adherence to the law. The verse sets the stage for Paul's further discussion on the contrast between the reign of sin and death, and the reign of grace and life through Jesus Christ, which is developed throughout the rest of the epistle.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet. - Strong's Number: G891
There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄχρι
Transliteration: áchri
Pronunciation: akh'-rece
Description: akin to ἄκρον (through the idea of a terminus); (of time) until or (of place) up to:--as far as, for, in(-to), till, (even, un-)to, until, while. Compare μέχρι. - Strong's Number: G3551
There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: νόμος
Transliteration: nómos
Pronunciation: nom'-os
Description: from a primary (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law. - Strong's Number: G266
There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἁμαρτία
Transliteration: hamartía
Pronunciation: ham-ar-tee'-ah
Description: from ἁμαρτάνω; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful). - Strong's Number: G2258
There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἦν
Transliteration: ēn
Pronunciation: ane
Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were. - Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition. - Strong's Number: G2889
There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κόσμος
Transliteration: kósmos
Pronunciation: kos'-mos
Description: probably from the base of κομίζω; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)):--adorning, world. - Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G1677
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐλλογέω
Transliteration: ellogéō
Pronunciation: el-log-eh'-o
Description: from ἐν and λόγος (in the sense of account); to reckon in, i.e. attribute:--impute, put on account. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος. - Strong's Number: G5607
There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὤν
Transliteration: ṓn
Pronunciation: on
Description: present participle of εἰμί; being:--be, come, have. - Strong's Number: G3361
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μή
Transliteration: mḗ
Pronunciation: may
Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.