Rom 5:13-14 | RWP | e4.org | Until the law ( αχρ νομου ). Until the Mosaic law. Sin was there before the Mosaic law, for the Jews were like Gentiles who had the law of reason and conscience ( ), but the coming of the law increased their responsibility and their guilt ( ). Sin is not imputed ( αμαρτια δε ουκ ελλογειτα ). Present passive indicative of late verb ελλογαω ( -εω ) from εν and λογος , to put down in the ledger to one's account, examples in inscription and papyri. When there is no law ( μη οντος νομου ). Genitive absolute, no law of any kind, he means. There was law before the Mosaic law. But what about infants and idiots in case of death? Do they have responsibility? Surely not. The sinful nature which they inherit is met by Christ's atoning death and grace. No longer do men speak of "elect infants."

‏ Romans 5:13-14

Until the law ( αχρ νομου ). Until the Mosaic law. Sin was there before the Mosaic law, for the Jews were like Gentiles who had the law of reason and conscience (2:12-16), but the coming of the law increased their responsibility and their guilt (2:9).

Sin is not imputed ( αμαρτια δε ουκ ελλογειτα ). Present passive indicative of late verb ελλογαω ( -εω ) from εν and λογος, to put down in the ledger to one's account, examples in inscription and papyri.

When there is no law ( μη οντος νομου ). Genitive absolute, no law of any kind, he means. There was law before the Mosaic law. But what about infants and idiots in case of death? Do they have responsibility? Surely not. The sinful nature which they inherit is met by Christ's atoning death and grace. No longer do men speak of "elect infants."

Even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression ( κα επ τους μη αμαρτησαντας επ τω ομοιωματ της παραβασεως Αδαμ ). Adam violated an express command of God and Moses gave the law of God clearly. And yet sin and death followed all from Adam on till Moses, showing clearly that the sin of Adam brought terrible consequences upon the race. Death has come upon infants and idiots also as a result of sin, but one understands Paul to mean that they are not held responsible by the law of conscience.

A figure ( τυπος ). See on Ac 7:43; 1Th 1:7; 2Th 3:9; 1Co 10:6 for this word. Adam is a type of Christ in holding a relation to those affected by the headship in each case, but the parallel is not precise as Paul shows.