Romans 7:8
New International Version
But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.

New Living Translation
But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power.

English Standard Version
But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies 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.

Berean Literal Bible
But sin, having taken an occasion by the commandment, produced in me all covetousness; for apart from the Law, sin is dead.

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

New King James Version
But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.

New American Standard Bible
But sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.

NASB 1995
But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.

NASB 1977
But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.

Legacy Standard Bible
But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, worked out in me coveting of every kind. For apart from the Law sin is dead.

Amplified Bible
But sin, finding an opportunity through the commandment [to express itself] produced in me every kind of coveting and selfish desire. For without the Law sin is dead [the recognition of sin is inactive].

Christian Standard Bible
And sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind. For apart from the law sin is dead.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind. 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.

Contemporary English Version
It was sin that used this command as a way of making me have all kinds of desires. But without the Law, sin is dead.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But sin took the opportunity provided by this commandment and made me have all kinds of wrong desires. Clearly, without laws sin is dead.

Good News Translation
But by means of that commandment sin found its chance to stir up all kinds of selfish desires in me. Apart from law, sin is a dead thing.

International Standard Version
But sin seized the opportunity provided by this commandment and produced in me all kinds of sinful desires, since apart from the Law, sin is dead.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
But sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of wrong desires. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

New Heart English Bible
But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

Webster's Bible Translation
But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

Weymouth New Testament
Sin took advantage of this, and by means of the Commandment stirred up within me every kind of coveting; for apart from Law sin would be dead.

World English Bible
But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“You will not covet”; and sin having received an opportunity, through the command, worked in me all covetousness—for apart from law sin is dead.

Berean Literal Bible
But sin, having taken an occasion by the commandment, produced in me all covetousness; for apart from the Law, sin is dead.

Young's Literal Translation
'Thou shalt not covet;' and the sin having received an opportunity, through the command, did work in me all covetousness -- for apart from law sin is dead.

Smith's Literal Translation
And sin, having taken occasion by the command, wrought in me every lust. For without law sin dead.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But sin taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But sin, receiving an opportunity through the commandment, wrought in me all manner of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.

New American Bible
But sin, finding an opportunity in the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetousness. Apart from the law sin is dead.

New Revised Standard Version
But sin, seizing an opportunity in the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. Apart from the law sin lies dead.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So by means of this commandment, sin found an occasion and provoked in me every kind of lust. For without the law sin was dead.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
In this commandment sin found for itself an occasion and developed in me every lust, for without The Written Law, sin was dead.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But sin, taking occasion through the commandment, rendered active within me every evil desire. For without the law, sin was dead.

Godbey New Testament
But sin, taking occasion through the commandment, did work in me all concupiscence; for without law sin was dead.

Haweis New Testament
But sin, seizing the opportunity by the law, wrought in me all concupiscence. For without the law sin is dead.

Mace New Testament
but sin receiving strength by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence, for before the law sin appear'd dead.

Weymouth New Testament
Sin took advantage of this, and by means of the Commandment stirred up within me every kind of coveting; for apart from Law sin would be dead.

Worrell New Testament
but sin, taking occasion through the commandment, wrought in me all manner of coveting; for apart from law sin is dead.

Worsley New Testament
But sin taking occasion by the commandment wrought in me all manner of concupiscence: for without the law sin was dead.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Law is Holy
7What 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.” 8But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead. 9Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.…

Cross References
Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Ephesians 2:3
All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.

Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Mark 7:21-23
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Exodus 20:17
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Deuteronomy 5:21
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or field, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Psalm 51:5
Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.


Treasury of Scripture

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

sin.

Romans 7:11,13,17
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me

Romans 4:15
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Romans 5:20
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

wrought.

James 1:14,15
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed…

For without, etc.

Romans 4:15
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

John 15:22,24
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin…

1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

Jump to Previous
Advantage Afforded Apart Attack Chance Commandment Concupiscence Covet Coveting Covetous Covetousness Dead Desire Finding Form Getting Kind Kinds Law Manner Means Occasion Opportunity Ordered Point Produced Seizing Sin Stirred Within Working Wrought
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Advantage Afforded Apart Attack Chance Commandment Concupiscence Covet Coveting Covetous Covetousness Dead Desire Finding Form Getting Kind Kinds Law Manner Means Occasion Opportunity Ordered Point Produced Seizing Sin Stirred Within Working Wrought
Romans 7
1. No law has power over a man longer than he lives.
4. But we are dead to the law.
7. Yet is not the law sin;
12. but holy, just and good;
16. as I acknowledge, who am grieved because I cannot keep it.














But sin
The term "sin" in Greek is "hamartia," which refers to missing the mark or falling short of God's standard. In the context of Romans, sin is not merely an act but a power that enslaves humanity. Historically, sin entered the world through Adam (Romans 5:12), and it is a pervasive force that affects all aspects of human life. From a conservative Christian perspective, sin is the fundamental problem that necessitates salvation through Jesus Christ.

seizing its opportunity
The Greek word for "seizing" is "lambanō," which means to take hold of or to grasp. This implies an active and aggressive action by sin to exploit the situation. The phrase suggests that sin is opportunistic, using the law as a means to exert its influence. Historically, this reflects the human tendency to rebel against boundaries, a theme evident throughout the Old Testament narratives.

through the commandment
The "commandment" refers to the Mosaic Law, which was given to guide Israel in righteousness. In Greek, "entolē" is used, meaning an order or command. Theologically, the law is holy and good (Romans 7:12), but it also reveals human sinfulness. The law acts as a mirror, showing us our inability to achieve righteousness on our own, thus pointing us to the need for a Savior.

produced in me
The phrase "produced in me" indicates an internal effect. The Greek word "katergazomai" means to work out or bring about. This suggests that sin, using the law, actively cultivates sinful desires within the individual. Historically, this aligns with the biblical narrative of Israel, where the law often highlighted their failures rather than their successes.

every kind of covetous desire
"Covetous desire" in Greek is "epithymia," which refers to a strong desire or lust. The commandment against coveting (Exodus 20:17) is unique because it addresses internal desires rather than external actions. This highlights the comprehensive nature of sin, affecting both thoughts and actions. From a conservative viewpoint, this underscores the total depravity of man, emphasizing the need for divine intervention.

For apart from the law
This phrase indicates a condition or state. "Apart from" in Greek is "chōris," meaning separate from or without. Theologically, this suggests that the law is what brings awareness of sin. Without the law, sin is not recognized as transgression. Historically, this reflects the period before the law was given, where sin was present but not accounted for in the same way.

sin is dead
The term "dead" in Greek is "nekros," meaning lifeless or inactive. This does not imply that sin ceases to exist but that it is not imputed or recognized without the law. From a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the role of the law in bringing awareness of sin, thus driving individuals to seek redemption through Christ. The law, therefore, serves a crucial purpose in God's redemptive plan, revealing sin and pointing to the necessity of grace.

(8) Taking occasion.--The word in the Greek implies originally a military metaphor: taking as a "base of operations," i.e., an advanced post occupied as the starting-point and rendezvous for further advances. Sin is unable to. act upon man without the co-operation of law, without being able to hold up law before him, and so show itself in its true colours.

The words "by the commandment" may either go with "taking occasion" or with "wrought in me." The sense would, in either case, be very much the same, "taking advantage of the commandment," or "wrought in me by the help of the commandment." The first is the construction usually adopted, as in the Authorised version, but there seem to be reasons of some force for preferring the second. The phrase "wrought in me coveting by the commandment" would thus be parallel to "working death in me by that which is good," below.

Concupiscence.--Rather, coveting; the same word which had been used above. Sin and the Commandment together--Sin, the evil principle in men, acting as the primary cause, and the Commandment as the secondary cause--led their unfortunate victim into all kinds of violation of the Law. This is done in two ways: (1) the perverseness of human nature is such that the mere prohibition of an act suggests the desire to do that which is prohibited; (2) the act, when done, is invested with the character of sin, which hitherto it did not possess. It becomes a distinct breach of law, where previously there had been no law to break. This is what the Apostle means by saying that "without the Law sin was dead." Until there was a written prohibition, Sin (the evil principle) was powerless to produce sinful actions.

Verse 8. - But sin, taking occasion, through the commandment wrought in me all manner of concupiscence (or, of lust): for without (or, apart from) law sin is dead. Here, as in Romans 5:12, seq., sin is personified as a power, antagonistic to the Law of God, that has been introduced into the world of man, causing death. In ch. 5. its first introduction was found in the scriptural account of Adam's transgression. It has ever since been in the world, as is evidenced by the continuance of the reign of death as it comes to all men now (vers. 13, 14). But it is only when men, through law, know it to be sin, that it is imputed (ver. 13), and so slays them spiritually. Apart from law, it is as it were dead with respect to its power over the soul to kill. It is regarded here as an enemy on the watch, seizing its occasion to kill which is offered it when law comes in. It may be observed here that, though it is not easy to define exactly in all cases what St. Paul means by death, it is evident that he means in this place more than the physical death which seemed, at first sight at least, to be exclusively referred to in ch. 5. For all die in the latter sense of the word; but only those who sin with knowledge of law in the sense intended here (see also note on Romans 5:12). It is supposed by most commentators that the expression κατειργάσατο in this verse means, not only that "the commandment" brought out lust as sin, but further that it provoked it, according to the alleged tendency of human nature to long all the more for what is forbidden; Nitimur in vetitum semper, cupimusque negata. Whether or not we have this tendency to the extent sometimes supposed, the context certainly neither requires nor suggests the conception, either here or in vers. 5 and 7. It is true, however, that the language of vers. 5 and 8 does in itself suggest it. Against it is the reason which follows; "for without law sin is dead," which can hardly mean (as the strong word νεκρά would seem in such case to require) that lust itself is altogether dormant until prohibition excites it. Calvin interprets κατειργάσατο thus: "Detexit in me omnem concupiscentiam; quae, dum lateret, quo-dammodo nulla esse videbatur;" and on ἁμαρτια νεκρά remarks, "Clarissime exprimit quem sensum habeant superiora. Perinde enim est ac si diceret, sepnltam esse sine Legs peccati notitiam."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

sin,
ἁμαρτία (hamartia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin.

seizing
λαβοῦσα (labousa)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

[its] opportunity
ἀφορμὴν (aphormēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 874: From a compound of apo and hormao; a starting-point, i.e. an opportunity.

through
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

commandment,
ἐντολῆς (entolēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1785: An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription.

produced
κατειργάσατο (kateirgasato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2716: From kata and ergazomai; to work fully, i.e. Accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

me
ἐμοὶ (emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

every kind
πᾶσαν (pasan)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

of covetous desire.
ἐπιθυμίαν (epithymian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1939: Desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust. From epithumeo; a longing.

For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

apart from
χωρὶς (chōris)
Preposition
Strong's 5565: Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from.

[the] Law,
νόμου (nomou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

sin
ἁμαρτία (hamartia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin.

[is] dead.
νεκρά (nekra)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.


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NT Letters: Romans 7:8 But sin finding occasion through the commandment (Rom. Ro)
Romans 7:7
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