Rom 7:7-14 | RWP | e4.org | Is the law sin? ( ο νομος αμαρτια? ). A pertinent query in view of what he had said. Some people today oppose all inhibitions and prohibitions because they stimulate violations. That is half-baked thinking. I had not known sin ( την αμαρτιαν ουκ εγνων ). Second aorist indicative of γινωσκω , to know. It is a conclusion of a second class condition, determined as unfulfilled. Usually αν is used in the conclusion to make it plain that it is second class condition instead of first class, but occasionally it is not employed when it is plain enough without as here ( , ). See on . So as to I had not known coveting (lust), επιθυμιαν ουκ ηιδειν . But all the same the law is not itself sin nor the cause of sin. Men with their sinful natures turn law into an occasion for sinful acts.

‏ Romans 7:7-14

Is the law sin? ( ο νομος αμαρτια? ). A pertinent query in view of what he had said. Some people today oppose all inhibitions and prohibitions because they stimulate violations. That is half-baked thinking.

I had not known sin ( την αμαρτιαν ουκ εγνων ). Second aorist indicative of γινωσκω, to know. It is a conclusion of a second class condition, determined as unfulfilled. Usually αν is used in the conclusion to make it plain that it is second class condition instead of first class, but occasionally it is not employed when it is plain enough without as here (Joh 16:22, 24). See on Ga 4:15. So as to

I had not known coveting (lust), επιθυμιαν ουκ ηιδειν. But all the same the law is not itself sin nor the cause of sin. Men with their sinful natures turn law into an occasion for sinful acts.

Finding occasion ( αφορμην λαβουσα ). See 2Co 5:12; 11:12; Ga 5:13 for αφορμην, a starting place from which to rush into acts of sin, excuses for doing what they want to do. Just so drinking men use the prohibition laws as "occasions" for violating them.

Wrought in me ( κατειργασατο εν εμο ). First aorist active middle indicative of the intensive verb κατεργαζομα, to work out (to the finish), effective aorist. The command not to lust made me lust more.

Dead ( νεκρα ). Inactive, not non-existent. Sin in reality was there in a dormant state.

I was alive ( εζων ). Imperfect active. Apparently, "the lost paradise in the infancy of men" (Denney), before the conscience awoke and moral responsibility came, "a seeming life" (Shedd).

Sin revived ( η αμαρτια ανεζησεν ). Sin came back to life, waked up, the blissful innocent stage was over, "the commandment having come" ( ελθουσης της εντολης, genitive absolute).

But I died ( εγω δε απεθανον ). My seeming life was over for I was conscious of sin, of violation of law. I was dead before, but I did not know. Now I found out that I was spiritually dead.

This I found unto death ( ευρεθη μοι--αυτη εις θανατον ). Literally, "the commandment the one for (meant for) life, this was found for me unto death." First aorist (effective) passive indicative of ευρισκω, to find, not active as the English has it. It turned out so for me (ethical dative).

Beguiled me ( εξηπατησεν με ). First aorist active indicative of εξαπαταω, old verb, completely ( εξ ) made me lose my way ( α privative, πατεω, to walk). See on 1Co 3:18; 2Co 11:3. Only in Paul in N.T.

Slew me ( απεκτεινεν ). First aorist active indicative of αποκτεινω, old verb. "Killed me off," made a clean job of it. Sin here is personified as the tempter (Ge 3:13).

Holy, and righteous, and good ( αγια κα δικαια κα αγαθη ). This is the conclusion (wherefore, ωστε ) to the query in verse 7. The commandment is God's and so holy like Him, just in its requirements and designed for our good. The modern revolt against law needs these words.

Become death unto me? ( εμο εγενετο θανατοσ? ). Ethical dative εμο again. New turn to the problem. Admitting the goodness of God's law, did it issue in death for me? Paul repels ( μη γενοιτο ) this suggestion. It was sin that (But sin, αλλα η αμαρτια ) "became death for me."

That it might be shown ( ινα φανη ). Final clause, ινα and second aorist passive subjunctive of φαινω, to show. The sinfulness of sin is revealed in its violations of God's law.

By working death to me ( μο κατεργαζομενη θανατον ). Present middle participle, as an incidental result.

Might become exceedingly sinful ( γενητα καθ' υπερβολην αμαρτωλος ). Second aorist middle subjunctive of γινομα with ινα in final clause. On καθ' υπερβολην, see on 1Co 12:31. Our hyperbole is the Greek υπερβολη. The excesses of sin reveal its real nature. Only then do some people get their eyes opened.

Spiritual ( πνευματικος ). Spirit-caused and spirit-given and like the Holy Spirit. See 1Co 10:3f.

But I am carnal ( εγω δε σαρκινος ειμ ). "Fleshen" as in 1Co 3:1 which see, more emphatic even than σαρκικος," a creature of flesh."

Sold under sin ( πεπραμενος υπο την αμαρτιαν ). Perfect passive participle of πιπρασκω, old verb, to sell. See on Mt 13:46; Ac 2:45, state of completion. Sin has closed the mortgage and owns its slave.