Romans 4:15

KJV

Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because {G1063} the law {G3551} worketh {G2716} wrath {G3709}: for {G1063} where {G3757} no {G3756} law {G3551} is {G2076}, there is no {G3761} transgression {G3847}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For what law brings is punishment. But where there is no law, there is also no violation.

Berean Standard Bible

because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

American Standard Version

for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 4:15 serves as a crucial theological linchpin in Paul's argument for justification by faith, not by works of the law. This verse asserts that the Mosaic Law, rather than providing a path to righteousness, inherently produces God's wrath because it exposes humanity's inability to perfectly fulfill its demands. By defining transgression as the violation of an existing command, Paul underscores that the law's primary function is to reveal sin, thereby highlighting the universal need for a righteousness that comes apart from legal observance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 4:15 is embedded within Paul's extensive theological exposition on justification by faith in Romans 3-5. Chapter 4 specifically focuses on Abraham as the paradigmatic example of righteousness credited through faith, not works. Paul argues that Abraham was declared righteous before the giving of the Law and before his circumcision ([Romans 4:3-12](/romans/4-3-12 "Abraham's Righteousness by Faith")). Verses [Romans 4:13-14](/romans/4-13-14 "The Promise and the Law") establish that the promise to Abraham and his descendants was received through the righteousness of faith, not through the Law, which would nullify the promise and make faith void. Verse 15 then provides the theological rationale for why the Law cannot be the means of receiving the promise or achieving righteousness: its nature is to provoke wrath, not to confer life. This sets the stage for Paul's later explanation of how grace abounds where sin increased ([Romans 5:20-21](/romans/5-20-21 "Grace Abounding Over Sin")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is writing to a diverse church in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers. Many Jewish believers, steeped in the tradition of the Mosaic Law, would have struggled with the idea that the Law, given by God, could not be the means of salvation. For centuries, the Law had been central to Israel's identity and covenant relationship with God. Paul's argument directly challenges the prevailing understanding that meticulous adherence to the Torah was the path to righteousness and divine favor. He is not dismissing the Law's divine origin or its goodness ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "The Law is Holy")), but rather clarifying its intended purpose within God's redemptive plan—to reveal sin and humanity's desperate need for a different kind of righteousness, one found in Christ.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **human sinfulness and inability** to meet God's perfect standard. The Law, by defining sin, makes transgression evident and universal ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "All Have Sinned")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **God's righteous wrath** against sin, which is a just response to human rebellion and disobedience. The Law's function is to bring this wrath to light, demonstrating the futility of self-justification. Thirdly, it underscores the **insufficiency of the Law for salvation**, paving the way for Paul's central theme of **justification by faith** in Jesus Christ, which is presented as God's gracious alternative to legalism ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Righteousness Through Faith")). The Law's role is thus redefined from a means of earning righteousness to a means of exposing the need for it.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **law (Greek, _nómos'_):** From a primary root meaning "to parcel out," this word refers to a prescriptive usage or regulation. In this context, it primarily denotes the Mosaic Law, the divine revelation given to Israel, encompassing moral, ceremonial, and civil commands. Paul's use here highlights its function as a standard of divine expectation.
* **worketh (Greek, _katergázomai'_):** This verb means "to work fully, accomplish, finish, or fashion." It implies an active, inherent, and consistent production or effect. The law does not merely *occasionally* lead to wrath; it *actively produces* or *results in* wrath when it encounters sinful humanity, demonstrating its intrinsic consequence.
* **wrath (Greek, _orgḗ'_):** Properly, "desire" or "excitement of the mind," but here it signifies violent passion, ire, or justifiable abhorrence. In theological contexts, it refers to God's settled, righteous indignation and judgment against sin and unrighteousness. It is not an uncontrolled outburst but a holy, consistent response to human rebellion against His perfect standard.
* **transgression (Greek, _parábasis'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to step over," this noun denotes a violation or a "stepping across" a boundary or command. It implies a conscious act of disobedience against a known law. Paul emphasizes that without a defined law, the specific act of "transgressing" that law cannot occur, though sin in a broader sense (missing the mark) still exists.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because the law worketh wrath:"** This clause establishes the direct and inherent consequence of the Law when applied to sinful humanity. The Law, by revealing God's perfect standard, exposes human failure and rebellion. This exposure, in turn, justly incurs God's righteous indignation and judgment (wrath) upon those who fail to keep it. The Law does not *cause* sin, but it *reveals* sin and its just penalty.
* **"for where no law is,"** This sub-clause introduces the logical premise for the second part of the verse. It posits a hypothetical scenario where a specific, revealed command or statute does not exist. It implies the absence of a defined legal boundary.
* **"[there is] no transgression."** This concluding clause clarifies the nature of "transgression" (parabasis). If there is no specific command or legal boundary, then one cannot "step over" or violate that particular command. This does not mean that sin (in the broader sense of falling short of God's glory or inherent unrighteousness) does not exist in the absence of a written law, but rather that a formal, accountable "transgression" of a specific statute is impossible without that statute being in place. The Law, therefore, is essential for defining and identifying specific acts of disobedience as transgressions.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful **causal argument** in this verse, using the conjunction "because" (G1063, *gar*) to establish a direct relationship between the Law and wrath. This is further reinforced by the subsequent "for" (G1063, *gar*), which introduces an explanatory principle. The verse also utilizes **antithesis** by contrasting the presence of law with the absence of transgression, thereby highlighting the law's definitional role in identifying sin. The concept of "wrath" functions as **metonymy**, where the effect (God's judgment) stands for the cause (human sin exposed by the law). Paul's precise use of **legal terminology** ("law," "transgression") underscores the forensic nature of his argument regarding justification and condemnation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 4:15 is foundational for understanding the Law's role in God's redemptive plan. It dispels the notion that the Law is a means to attain righteousness, instead asserting its primary function is to expose sin and thereby demonstrate humanity's need for a different kind of righteousness. The Law, in its holy demands, reveals the depth of human depravity and the justness of God's wrath against sin. This understanding is critical for appreciating the magnitude of God's grace, as it highlights that salvation cannot be earned but must be freely given through faith. The Law thus serves as a "tutor" ([Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "The Law as a Guardian")) leading us to Christ, by making our sin abundantly clear.

* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "No One Justified by the Law"): "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
* [Galatians 3:10](/galatians/3-10 "Cursed is Everyone Who Does Not Obey"): "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."
* [1 John 3:4](/1_john/3-4 "Sin Is Lawlessness"): "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse profoundly impacts our understanding of salvation and our approach to God. It shatters any illusion that we can earn God's favor or justify ourselves through our own efforts, good deeds, or adherence to religious rules. The Law, rather than being a ladder to heaven, functions as a mirror, reflecting our inherent sinfulness and revealing the vast chasm between our fallen nature and God's perfect holiness. This realization should lead not to despair, but to a profound sense of gratitude for God's grace. It compels us to abandon self-righteousness and to fully embrace the righteousness that comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ. Understanding that the Law "worketh wrath" should drive us to the cross, where Christ bore that wrath on our behalf, and to live in the freedom and peace of His imputed righteousness. It also encourages humility, reminding us that our standing before God is entirely dependent on His mercy, not our merit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the Law's role in "working wrath" change your perspective on personal efforts to earn God's approval?**
* **In what ways might a failure to grasp this truth lead to legalism or a lack of assurance in one's salvation?**
* **How does Romans 4:15 deepen your appreciation for the necessity and sufficiency of Christ's atoning work?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean the Law is bad or evil?**

Answer: No, Paul explicitly states elsewhere that the law is "holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "The Law is Holy, Just, and Good")). The problem is not with the Law itself, which perfectly reflects God's righteous character, but with humanity's inability to perfectly keep it due to our sinful nature. The Law's goodness exposes our badness, leading to wrath because we cannot meet its demands. Its purpose is not to save, but to reveal sin and our need for a Savior.

**If there's no law, is there no sin?**

Answer: This verse says "no *transgression*," not "no *sin*." Transgression (Greek: *parabasis*) specifically refers to "stepping over" a known, defined command. Before the Mosaic Law was given, people still sinned (e.g., against God's natural revelation or conscience), but their sin was not formally a "transgression" of a written code. Paul clarifies in [Romans 5:13](/romans/5-13 "Sin Was in the World Before the Law") that "sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law." This means sin's culpability and formal identification as "transgression" are heightened by the Law, leading to a greater awareness of guilt and the resulting wrath.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 4:15, by powerfully articulating the Law's function in producing wrath, sets the stage for the glorious revelation of Christ as the ultimate solution to humanity's predicament. If the Law brings condemnation because of our inability to keep it, then only one who perfectly fulfills the Law and bears its condemnation can offer salvation. Jesus Christ is that one. He lived a life of perfect obedience, fulfilling every demand of the Law ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Jesus Fulfills the Law")). More profoundly, He became a curse for us, bearing the very wrath that the Law "worketh" against sin, so that we might be redeemed from its condemnation ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). His death on the cross was the atoning sacrifice that appeased God's righteous wrath, making a way for sinners to be declared righteous not by legal observance, but by faith in Him ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Propitiation Through Faith")). Thus, where the Law leads to wrath, Christ leads to justification and peace with God ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Justification by Faith")). He is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Christ is the End of the Law")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 5:13

(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Galatians 3:10

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Romans 3:19

¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Romans 3:20

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

1 Corinthians 15:56

The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.

Romans 7:7

¶ What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Romans 7:25

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.