Romans 7:8

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} sin {G266}, taking {G2983} occasion {G874} by {G1223} the commandment {G1785}, wrought {G2716} in {G1722} me {G1698} all manner of {G3956} concupiscence {G1939}. For {G1063} without {G5565} the law {G3551} sin {G266} was dead {G3498}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, worked in me all kinds of evil desires — for apart from Torah, sin is dead.

Berean Standard Bible

But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

American Standard Version

but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the law sin is dead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Romans 7:8, the Apostle Paul profoundly articulates how the Mosaic Law, though holy and good, paradoxically served to expose and even intensify the sinful nature within him. He explains that sin, leveraging the very prohibitions of the commandment, actively worked to produce all manner of illicit desires, demonstrating its deceptive power. Paul concludes that without the explicit standard of the Law, sin's true nature and its destructive force remained dormant or "dead," unable to fully manifest its condemning power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 7:8 is a pivotal verse within Paul's extended argument in [Romans 7](/romans/7 "Romans 7 - The Law, Sin, and the Believer") concerning the relationship between the Law, sin, and the believer's experience. It immediately follows Paul's declaration in [Romans 7:7](/romans/7-7 "Romans 7:7 - The Law Reveals Sin") that he would not have known sin apart from the Law, specifically citing the commandment "You shall not covet." This verse elaborates on *how* the Law revealed sin, portraying sin as an active, malicious agent that exploits the Law's prohibitions. It sets the stage for Paul's subsequent lament about his internal struggle in [Romans 7:14-25](/romans/7-14-25 "Romans 7:14-25 - The Struggle of the Flesh"), ultimately leading to the triumphant declaration of freedom in Christ found in [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul, a former Pharisee, was deeply steeped in the Jewish understanding of the Torah (Law) as God's divine revelation and guide for life. For Jews, the Law was a source of national identity and a means of righteousness. However, Paul's experience, as articulated here, challenges the notion that mere adherence to the Law could bring salvation or eradicate sin. This perspective would have been revolutionary and potentially controversial to his Jewish audience, who revered the Law. Culturally, the concept of "law" (Greek: *nomos*) was also present in Greco-Roman thought, but Paul's theological use of it, particularly in relation to sin and grace, was distinctively Christian, drawing heavily on Old Testament themes while reinterpreting them through the lens of Christ.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes in Romans. Firstly, it underscores the **Law's revelatory purpose**, showing that its primary function is not to justify but to expose the depth of human sinfulness, acting as a mirror to our fallen condition (cf. [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")). Secondly, it highlights the **active and deceptive power of sin**, personifying it as an entity that "takes occasion" and "wrought" evil, demonstrating its dominion over humanity apart from Christ. Thirdly, it implicitly points to **human inability** to overcome sin through personal effort or adherence to external commands, thereby building a compelling case for the necessity of divine grace and the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, a major theme throughout [the book of Romans](/romans/1 "The Book of Romans").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sin (Greek, _hamartía'_):** (G266) From *hamartánō*, meaning "to miss the mark." In this context, it refers to the abstract principle of sin, the inherent fallen nature, rather than specific acts of transgression. Paul personifies this principle, portraying it as an active, malevolent force operating within humanity.
* **occasion (Greek, _aphormḗ'_):** (G874) Literally "a starting-point" or "base of operations." This term vividly illustrates how sin leverages the good Law of God as a strategic platform or opportunity to exert its power and manifest its destructive influence within the human heart. The Law, by defining sin, inadvertently provided sin with the means to become more clearly recognized and active.
* **wrought (Greek, _katergázomai'_):** (G2716) From *katá* (down, against) and *ergázomai* (to work). It means "to work fully," "accomplish," or "produce." This word emphasizes the active, effective, and complete way sin operates. It's not a passive presence but an energetic force that fully produces its desired outcome—in this case, "all manner of concupiscence."
* **concupiscence (Greek, _epithymía'_):** (G1939) A longing, especially for what is forbidden. While *epithymía* can denote any strong desire, in this context, it specifically refers to illicit, sinful cravings or lusts. It encompasses a wide range of covetous desires that are contrary to God's will, which the Law, particularly the tenth commandment, brought to light.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But sin, taking occasion by the commandment":** Paul introduces a contrast ("But") to his previous statement. He personifies "sin" as an active agent, demonstrating its cunning. Sin seizes an "occasion" or opportunity (*aphormē*) from "the commandment" (likely referring to the Mosaic Law in general, or specifically the prohibition against coveting from [Romans 7:7](/romans/7-7 "Romans 7:7 - The Law and Coveting")). The Law, intended to guide righteousness, inadvertently provides sin with a platform to reveal its power.
* **"wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.":** Sin, having taken its opportunity, actively "wrought" or produced (*katergázomai*) its effects. The phrase "in me" refers to Paul's own experience, representing the universal human condition. Sin produced "all manner of concupiscence" (*epithymía*), meaning every kind of illicit desire, craving, or lust. This indicates that the Law, by forbidding certain actions, paradoxically stirred up the very desires it sought to suppress in the fallen human heart, making the individual acutely aware of their pervasive sinfulness.
* **"For without the law sin [was] dead.":** This clause explains the preceding statement. "Without the law" means in the absence of God's explicit divine standard. "Sin was dead" does not imply that sin did not exist or that people were not sinful before the Law. Rather, it means sin was dormant, inactive in its full condemning power, or not fully recognized as transgression. The Law gave sin its definition, its power to condemn, and its clear manifestation as rebellion against God's revealed will. Without the Law, sin's true nature and its ability to bring spiritual death (cf. [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")) were not fully evident or charged.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs **Personification** in this verse, portraying "sin" not as an abstract concept but as an active, cunning, and malevolent entity. Sin "takes occasion" and "wrought" (or "produced"), giving it agency and intent. This literary device vividly conveys the powerful and insidious nature of sin, which operates almost independently, exploiting even good things (like the Law) for its destructive purposes. Furthermore, the phrase "sin was dead" functions as a **Metaphor**, illustrating that without the Law's clear prohibitions, sin lacked its full vitality, definition, and condemning power, akin to something lifeless or dormant. It was not truly "dead" in the sense of non-existence, but "dead" in its inability to be fully recognized or to bring about its full legal consequence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 7:8 is crucial for understanding the Law's role in God's redemptive plan. It clarifies that the Law's purpose is not to grant righteousness, for it cannot overcome the power of indwelling sin. Instead, the Law serves as a divine magnifying glass, exposing the pervasive nature of sin and driving humanity to recognize its utter helplessness and desperate need for a Savior. This profound theological insight sets the stage for Paul's glorious exposition of justification by faith in Christ, where the power of sin is broken not by legal adherence but by the liberating power of the Holy Spirit. The Law reveals the disease; Christ provides the cure.

* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")
* [Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian")
* [1 Corinthians 15:56](/1_corinthians/15-56 "1 Corinthians 15:56 - The Sting of Death is Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound insights into the human condition and the nature of temptation. It teaches us that merely knowing God's commands is insufficient to overcome sin; in fact, the very act of prohibition can sometimes awaken dormant desires in our fallen nature. This highlights the ongoing spiritual battle within every believer, a struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. For us, the Law serves as a mirror, not a ladder. It shows us our spiritual brokenness and our inability to achieve righteousness on our own, thereby cultivating humility and a deeper reliance on God's grace. Understanding this dynamic helps us to cease striving in our own strength and instead to lean fully on the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to walk in newness of life, fulfilling the righteous requirements of the Law not by compulsion but by love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding sin's "taking occasion by the commandment" change your perspective on temptation or your own struggles with sin?**
* **In what ways does the Law, even today, serve to reveal your need for God's grace rather than your ability to earn righteousness?**
* **If sin was "dead" without the Law, what does this imply about the importance of God's revealed truth in exposing spiritual realities?**

### FAQ

**Does Romans 7:8 mean the Law is bad or causes sin?**

Answer: No, Romans 7:8 does not mean the Law is bad or causes sin. Paul explicitly states in [Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy") that "the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good." The problem lies not with the Law, but with indwelling sin and the fallen human nature. The Law, by defining sin and its prohibitions, provides sin with an "occasion" or opportunity to manifest its power. It's like a spotlight that reveals dirt; the spotlight doesn't create the dirt, but it makes it visible. The Law exposes the sin that is already present in the human heart, making us aware of our transgressions and our inability to perfectly obey God's righteous standards.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 7:8, by exposing the Law's inability to conquer indwelling sin and its paradoxical effect of stirring up illicit desires, powerfully underscores humanity's desperate need for a Savior. The "deadness" of sin without the Law, and its subsequent "life" through the Law's revelation, highlights the inescapable reality of human depravity under the Law's condemning power. This sets the stage for the glorious truth of Christ's work. Jesus Christ, through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, fulfilled the Law's righteous demands on our behalf and broke the power of sin that once held us captive (cf. [Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ")). Where the Law could only expose and condemn, Christ provides liberation and empowerment. The "concupiscence" that the Law revealed is now confronted by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers, enabling them to walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (cf. [Romans 8:9-11](/romans/8-9-11 "Romans 8:9-11 - Life in the Spirit")). Thus, Christ is the ultimate answer to the dilemma posed in [Romans 7](/romans/7 "Romans 7 - The Struggle and the Solution"), offering freedom from the dominion of sin and the curse of the Law, leading to a life of righteousness by faith (cf. [Romans 8:1-2](/romans/8-1-2 "Romans 8:1-2 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

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 7:11

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

1 Corinthians 15:56

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

Romans 4:15

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

James 1:14

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

James 1:15

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

Romans 7:13

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.

John 15:22

If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.