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.

What {G5101} shall we say {G2046} then {G3767}? Is the law {G3551} sin {G266}? God forbid {G3361}{G1096}. Nay {G235}, I had {G1097} not {G3756} known {G1097} sin {G266}, but {G1508} by {G1223} the law {G3551}: for {G1063}{G5037} I had {G1492} not {G3756} known {G1492} lust {G1939}, except {G1508} the law {G3551} had said {G3004}, Thou shalt {G1937} not {G3756} covet {G1937}.

Therefore, what are we to say? That the Torah is sinful? Heaven forbid! Rather, the function of the Torah was that without it, I would not have known what sin is. For example, I would not have become conscious of what greed is if the Torah had not said, “Thou shalt not covet.”

What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet:

In Romans 7:7, the Apostle Paul addresses a critical question that naturally arises from his preceding arguments about the believer's relationship to the Law: "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid." He emphatically denies that the Law itself is sinful, clarifying its true, essential purpose.

Context

This verse serves as a crucial transition in Paul's discourse on the Law, sin, and grace. Having just declared that believers are "dead to the law" through Christ (Romans 7:4) and now serve God in "newness of spirit" (Romans 7:6), Paul anticipates a potential misunderstanding: if the Law leads to death (as implied in Romans 7:5), is it inherently evil or sinful? Paul's immediate and strong denial sets the stage for a deeper explanation of the Law's function in exposing sin, rather than creating it.

Key Themes

  • The Law is Holy and Good: Paul vehemently asserts that the Law is not sin. This aligns with his later statement in Romans 7:12 that "the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." The Law originates from God and perfectly reflects His righteous character.
  • The Law Reveals Sin: Paul clarifies the Law's primary role: "Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law." The Law acts like a spiritual mirror, reflecting the true nature of sin within the human heart. It does not infuse sin but exposes its presence. Before the Law, sin existed, but its full malignity and specific transgressions were not clearly defined or recognized as such.
  • Understanding Covetousness: Paul uses the specific example of "lust" or "covet" (Greek: epithymia, meaning strong desire, often negative) and links it directly to the Tenth Commandment: "Thou shalt not covet" (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21). This commandment is unique because it targets an internal, unseen desire, demonstrating how the Law probes the depths of the human heart beyond outward actions. Without this specific prohibition, Paul would not have identified his inward desires as sinful covetousness.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "lust" in this verse, specifically in the context of "Thou shalt not covet," translates the Greek term epithymia (ἐπιθυμία). While epithymia can denote any strong desire, positive or negative, Paul's use here, tied to the Tenth Commandment, unequivocally refers to illicit or sinful desires, particularly covetousness. This highlights the Law's capacity to address not just actions but also the very inclinations of the heart.

Practical Application

Romans 7:7 offers profound insights for believers today:

  • The Law's Enduring Purpose: While we are not under the Law for salvation, it remains invaluable for revealing our need for God's grace and for illuminating the nature of sin. It helps us understand what displeases God and why we need a Savior.
  • Self-Examination: The Law, particularly the commandment against coveting, calls us to examine our internal desires, not just our external behaviors. Sin often begins in the heart before manifesting in actions.
  • Driving to Christ: By exposing the depth of our sinfulness, the Law ultimately drives us to Christ, who alone can provide righteousness and deliverance from sin's power (Romans 8:1-4). It serves as a "schoolmaster" to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • Exodus 20:17

    Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

  • Romans 4:15

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

  • Deuteronomy 5:21

    Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any [thing] that [is] thy neighbour's.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:56

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

  • Romans 13:9

    For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  • Romans 7:8

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

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back