Romans 7 8

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.

Romans 7:8 nkjv

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

Romans 7:8 niv

But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.

Romans 7:8 esv

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

Romans 7:8 nlt

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.

Romans 7 verses

Romans 7 8 Meaning

Sin, taking occasion through the commandment, produces in me all kinds of covetousness. The precise wording highlights how sin isn't a passive entity but an active force that seizes opportunities. The commandment, intended to guide and protect, ironically becomes the very instrument sin uses to activate sinful desires within the human heart. This process reveals sin's exploitative nature, weaponizing what is good for its destructive purposes.

Romans 7 8 Context

This verse is found within Romans chapter 7, where Paul is vividly describing the struggle of the believer under the Law and in the grip of sin. He contrasts the spiritual perfection of God's Law with the sin-dominated nature of fallen humanity. Paul is exploring how the Law, which is holy and good, reveals and even exacerbates the power of indwelling sin, rather than providing a means for salvation or overcoming sinful desires. The surrounding verses depict a soul in distress, bound by sin, experiencing the Law as a catalyst for its evil desires and actions. This chapter is a deep dive into the human condition apart from the complete redemptive work of Christ, highlighting the Law's role in exposing sin without offering liberation.

Romans 7 8 Word Analysis

• δὲ (de): "but" or "and." It serves as a conjunction, linking this statement to what came before and introducing a consequence or a new aspect of the discussion.
• ἡ ἁμαρτία (hē hamartia): "sin." This refers not just to individual acts but to the sinful principle or state that enslaves humanity. It's personified here as an active agent.
• ἀφορμὴν (aphor mẽn): "occasion," "opportunity," "springboard." It implies that sin finds a way to exploit a given situation, a launching point for its activity.
• διὰ (dia): "through," "by means of." It indicates the instrument or channel through which sin operates.
• τῆς ἐντολῆς (tês entol ês): "the commandment." Refers to a specific divine precept, in this context, the Law of Moses, particularly the commandments that reveal sin.
• ἐνεργοῦσεν (energousa): "works," "produces," "activates." This verb emphasizes the active and effective power of sin. It's not merely present but causes something to happen.
• ἐν ἐμοὶ (en emoi): "in me." Points to the internal nature of the struggle, happening within the individual's being.
• πᾶσαν (pasan): "all," "every kind of." Underscores the comprehensive and pervasive effect of sin.
• ἐπιθυμίαν (epithumian): "desire," "lust," "coveting." The root of much sin, referring to an inordinate craving or longing for what is forbidden or not rightly ours.
• πασαν (pasan): "all." This second use of "all" modifies "desire," indicating that sin incites a full spectrum of covetous longings.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Sin, taking occasion through the commandment": This crucial phrase highlights that sin doesn't need a new cause; it leverages what is already present—the commandment. The commandment reveals sin by its prohibitions, but sin uses this exposure to ignite forbidden desires. This is where the concept of the "sinful nature" is brought to light, finding an excuse or a reason to operate.
• "produces in me all kinds of covetousness": The "produces" (energeō) signifies sin's energetic and creative power in stimulating diverse sinful desires within the believer's inner self. "Covetousness" (epithymia) captures the essence of wanting something inappropriately, a primary expression of sin that often leads to other transgressions.

Romans 7 8 Bonus Section

This verse underscores the tension between the Law's perfect intention and humanity's imperfect and sin-addicted nature. It prefigures Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5 where He expands the scope of sin to include the internal disposition of lust. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah also spoke of Israel's pervasive sin and inability to keep the Law, portraying a similar state of being enslaved to their transgressions (Isaiah 58:1-7). The spiritual bankruptcy revealed here is what necessitates God’s solution found in the New Covenant, where God's Spirit empowers believers to live righteously, a stark contrast to the bondage described in Romans 7. The verse does not suggest the Law causes sin, but rather that sin exploits the Law’s prohibition to manifest itself more powerfully in a fallen human.

Romans 7 8 Commentary

This verse describes sin’s insidious method of operation: it lies dormant or less evident until the Law's prohibition provides it with an opportunity. The commandment, instead of restraining sin, becomes its fuel. It highlights that the human heart, fallen and corrupted by sin, readily responds to this stimulus, erupting in all forms of sinful longing. The result is an intensified awareness of sin and a deeper enslavement to desire, not because the Law is evil, but because our sin-infested flesh reacts rebelliously to divine authority. The inability of the Law to change the heart is starkly illustrated, leading to Paul's eventual conclusion that liberation comes not from Law, but from Christ.