Romans 7:13

KJV

Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

KJV (with Strong's)

Was then {G3767} that which is good {G18} made {G1096} death {G2288} unto me {G1698}? God forbid {G3361}{G1096}. But {G235} sin {G266}, that {G2443} it might appear {G5316} sin {G266}, working {G2716} death {G2288} in me {G3427} by {G1223} that which is good {G18}; that {G2443} sin {G266} by {G1223} the commandment {G1785} might become {G1096} exceeding {G2596}{G5236} sinful {G268}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then did something good become for me the source of death? Heaven forbid! Rather, it was sin working death in me through something good, so that sin might be clearly exposed as sin, so that sin through the commandment might come to be experienced as sinful beyond measure.

Berean Standard Bible

Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Certainly not! But in order that sin might be exposed as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

American Standard Version

Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good;—that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Romans 7:13, the Apostle Paul addresses a critical theological question: Does God's holy Law, which reveals sin, become the cause of death? Paul vehemently rejects this notion, asserting that the Law itself is inherently good. Instead, he exposes the insidious nature of sin, demonstrating how it leverages the good Law to reveal its true, destructive character, thereby becoming "exceeding sinful." This verse clarifies that the problem lies not with the divine standard, but with humanity's fallen nature and sin's deceptive power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 7:13 serves as a pivotal clarification within Paul's extended argument concerning the Law, sin, and grace, particularly following the intensely personal struggle described in [Romans 7:7-12](/romans/7-7-12 "Romans 7:7-12 - The Law, Sin, and Inner Conflict"). Paul has just explained how the holy commandment, "You shall not covet," awakened his awareness of sin and even provoked it, leading to spiritual death. This raises a natural, albeit mistaken, inference: if the Law leads to death, is the Law itself evil? Verse 13 directly confronts and emphatically refutes this potential misunderstanding. It acts as a bridge, affirming the Law's goodness before delving deeper into the human predicament under sin, setting the stage for the glorious deliverance in [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in Rome included both Jewish and Gentile believers, many of whom would have come from a background deeply revering the Mosaic Law. For Jewish Christians, the Law was central to their identity and covenant relationship with God. Accusations that the Law was somehow responsible for sin or death would have been deeply offensive and counter-intuitive. Paul's emphatic "God forbid" (Greek: _mē genoito_) is a strong rhetorical device designed to disabuse his readers of any such notion, aligning with the Jewish understanding of the Law as a divine gift, while simultaneously preparing them for the radical shift in salvation history brought about by Christ. The cultural context also includes the prevalent understanding of sin not merely as individual acts, but as a powerful, indwelling force, a concept Paul elaborates on throughout [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Freedom from Sin") and [Romans 7](/romans/7 "Romans 7 - The Struggle with Sin").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Romans. Firstly, it underscores **The Goodness and Holiness of God's Law**, affirming that the Law is not the source of evil but a reflection of God's righteous character, as stated in [Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy, Just, and Good"). Secondly, it illuminates **The Deceitfulness and Destructive Power of Sin**, portraying sin as an active, malevolent agent that exploits the good Law to manifest its true, deadly nature. This prepares the reader for the ultimate solution to sin's dominion found in Christ. Thirdly, it highlights **The Law's Role in Exposing Sin**, functioning as a divine diagnostic tool that reveals the depth and pervasiveness of human depravity, making sin "appear sin" and magnifying its "exceeding sinfulness." This revelation is crucial for understanding humanity's desperate need for a Savior, a theme that culminates in the gospel message of [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Greek, _agathós'_):** From G18, this word denotes something inherently beneficial, virtuous, and morally upright. In this context, Paul uses it to describe the Law of God, emphasizing its intrinsic positive quality and divine origin, directly countering any implication that it could be the source of death or evil. The Law is not just functionally good, but fundamentally good.
* **Death (Greek, _thánatos'_):** From G2288, this term refers to death in a broad sense, encompassing not only physical cessation of life but also spiritual separation from God, and the ultimate consequence of sin. Here, it signifies the spiritual condemnation and alienation that results from sin's work, which is exposed and intensified by the Law.
* **Sin (Greek, _hamartía'_):** From G266, this word denotes a transgression, an offense, or a missing of the mark against God's standard. Paul personifies "sin" in this verse, presenting it as an active, malevolent force that operates within humanity, using the Law not to create sin, but to reveal its own destructive power and inherent wickedness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid."**: Paul begins with a rhetorical question, anticipating a potential misinterpretation of his previous statements. The "that which is good" unequivocally refers to the Law of God. The question implies: did the good Law become the instrument of my spiritual death? His immediate and emphatic response, "God forbid" (Greek: _mē genoito_), is a strong Pauline idiom expressing absolute rejection and abhorrence of the idea. It vehemently denies that the Law, being good, could be the cause of death.
* **"But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good;"**: This clause presents the true culprit: "sin." Paul clarifies that sin, not the Law, is the active agent in bringing about death. The purpose ("that it might appear sin") is crucial: the Law's goodness serves as a backdrop against which sin's true, ugly nature is exposed. Sin "works death" (Greek: _katergázomai thánaton_) in the individual, not by the Law being evil, but by sin's exploitation of the Law's holy demands. The Law, being good, illuminates the rebellion of sin, making its destructive power evident.
* **"that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful."**: This final clause reiterates and intensifies the previous point, explaining the ultimate outcome of sin's interaction with the Law. The Law, specifically "the commandment" (Greek: _entolḗ_), acts as a magnifying glass. When sin is measured against the perfect standard of God's Law, its true character is revealed as "exceeding sinful" (Greek: _kath' hyperbolēn hamartōlós_). This phrase emphasizes the extreme, overwhelming wickedness of sin, demonstrating its utter depravity and the profound offense it is against a holy God. The Law does not *make* sin worse, but it *reveals* how utterly vile sin truly is.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in Romans 7:13. The verse opens with a **Rhetorical Question** ("Was then that which is good made death unto me?"), which Paul immediately answers with an emphatic "God forbid," a strong **Apostrophe** or direct address to a hypothetical objector, designed to preempt misunderstanding and underscore the absurdity of the premise. This sets up a clear **Antithesis** between the inherent goodness of the Law and the destructive nature of sin. Furthermore, Paul uses **Personification** by attributing agency to "sin," describing it as "working death" and "becoming exceeding sinful," as if it were an independent entity with malicious intent. Finally, the phrase "exceeding sinful" utilizes **Hyperbole** (from the Greek _hyperbolḗ_), emphasizing the extreme and overwhelming wickedness of sin when exposed by the holy standard of God's Law.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 7:13 is a cornerstone for understanding the paradoxical role of the Law in God's redemptive plan. It firmly establishes the Law's divine goodness and holiness, dispelling any notion that it is inherently flawed or a source of evil. Instead, the verse powerfully unveils the true character of sin: a deceptive, destructive force that exploits the good Law to reveal its own profound depravity and deadly power. The Law, therefore, acts as a divinely appointed mirror, reflecting humanity's utter inability to achieve righteousness through self-effort and highlighting the pervasive nature of sin. This deep revelation of sin's "exceeding sinfulness" is not meant to condemn without hope, but rather to drive humanity to a profound realization of its desperate need for a Savior, setting the stage for the glorious liberation found in Christ.

* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and Gift of God")
* [1 Corinthians 15:56](/1_corinthians/15-56 "1 Corinthians 15:56 - The Sting of Death is Sin, and the Strength of Sin is the Law")
* [Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Schoolmaster")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 7:13 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, challenging us to re-evaluate our understanding of God's standards and the nature of sin. It compels us to appreciate the inherent goodness and wisdom of God's Law, recognizing that its purpose is not to condemn us but to reveal our true spiritual condition and guide us toward righteousness. This verse also serves as a stark reminder of sin's insidious and destructive power, demonstrating how it can twist even good things for its own malevolent ends. Understanding sin's "exceeding sinfulness" should lead us to a deeper humility, a greater appreciation for God's grace, and a fervent desire for deliverance from sin's dominion. It underscores that true freedom and righteousness come not through perfect adherence to the Law, which is impossible in our fallen state, but through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit working in us, made possible by Christ's redemptive work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the Law as "good" (not the cause of death) change your perspective on God's commandments?**
* **In what ways have you observed sin leveraging good things to reveal its destructive nature in your own life or in the world?**
* **What does it mean for "sin becoming exceeding sinful" mean for your daily walk with God, and how does it deepen your reliance on Christ?**
* **How does the Law's role in exposing sin lead you to a greater appreciation for God's grace and the salvation offered in Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ

**Does Romans 7:13 imply that the Law is bad or causes sin?**

Answer: Absolutely not. Paul emphatically states, "God forbid." The verse explicitly defends the Law's inherent goodness ("that which is good"). The Law itself does not cause sin or death; rather, it exposes sin's true nature and reveals its destructive power. Sin, as a malevolent force, uses the good Law as a standard against which its own "exceeding sinfulness" is made manifest. The Law functions like a mirror, reflecting the sin that is already present within the human heart, making it apparent and undeniable. This is consistent with Paul's earlier statement in [Romans 7:7](/romans/7-7 "Romans 7:7 - The Law Reveals Sin"), where he clarifies that he "had not known sin, but by the law."

**What does it mean for sin to become "exceeding sinful"?**

Answer: The phrase "exceeding sinful" (Greek: _kath' hyperbolēn hamartōlós_) signifies that sin, when confronted by the holy and righteous standard of God's commandment, is revealed in its most extreme and overwhelming wickedness. It's not that the Law makes sin *more* sinful in its essence, but that the Law *magnifies* and *exposes* sin's true, utterly depraved character. Without the Law, sin might appear less severe or even go unnoticed. But when measured against God's perfect standard, sin's rebellion, its offense against a holy God, and its deadly consequences are laid bare in their full, horrifying magnitude. This revelation underscores humanity's desperate need for divine intervention and salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 7:13, in its stark portrayal of sin's "exceeding sinfulness" and the Law's inability to deliver from it, powerfully underscores humanity's desperate need for a Savior, thus pointing directly to Christ. While the Law is good and holy, it serves primarily to reveal the depth of our sin and our utter incapacity to achieve righteousness on our own, leading us to a profound sense of spiritual death. This predicament, vividly described by Paul, finds its glorious resolution in Jesus Christ. He is the one who perfectly fulfilled the Law's demands on our behalf, becoming "the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law")). Furthermore, Christ, "who knew no sin, became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His atoning death and resurrection, Jesus conquered the power of sin and death that the Law exposed ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). He delivers us from the "body of this death" ([Romans 7:24](/romans/7-24 "Romans 7:24 - Deliverance from the Body of Death")) by setting us free from the law of sin and death through the Spirit of life ([Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "Romans 8:2 - Freedom from the Law of Sin and Death")), offering not just a revelation of sin, but complete liberation from its dominion and condemnation.

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

James 1:13

¶ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

James 1:15

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Galatians 3:21

[Is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

Romans 7:8

But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin [was] dead.

Romans 7:11

For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew [me].

Romans 8:3

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Romans 5:20

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: