¹⁵ because the law brings wrath.^(A) And where there is no law there is no transgression.^(B)

²⁰ The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.^(A) But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,^(B)

⁵ For when we were in the realm of the flesh,^[a](A) the sinful passions aroused by the law^(B) were at work in us,^(C) so that we bore fruit for death.^{(D) 6} But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law^(E) so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.^(F)

The Law and Sin

⁷ What shall we say, then?^(G) Is the law sinful? Certainly not!^(H) Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.^(I) For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”^{[b](J) 8} But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,^(K) produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.^{(L) 9} Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ¹⁰ I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life^(M) actually brought death. ¹¹ For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,^(N) deceived me,^(O) and through the commandment put me to death. ¹² So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.^(P)

¹³ Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good^(Q) to bring about my death,^(R) so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual,^(S) sold^(T) as a slave to sin.^{(U) 15} I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.^{(V) 16} And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.^{(W) 17} As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.^{(X) 18} For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[c](Y) For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.^{(Z) 20} Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.^(AA)

²¹ So I find this law at work:^(AB) Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being^(AC) I delight in God’s law;^{(AD) 23} but I see another law at work in me, waging war^(AE) against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin^(AF) at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?^{(AG) 25} Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!^(AH)

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law,^(AI) but in my sinful nature^[d] a slave to the law of sin.^(AJ)

⁹ If the ministry that brought condemnation^(A) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!^(B)

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law^(A) are under a curse,^(B) as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”^[a](C)

²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!^(A) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.^{(B) 22} But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin,^(C) so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Children of God

²³ Before the coming of this faith,^[a] we were held in custody^(D) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.^{(E) 24} So the law was our guardian until Christ came^(F) that we might be justified by faith.^{(G) 25} Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.^(H)

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God^(I) through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ^(J) have clothed yourselves with Christ.^{(K) 28} There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,^(L) nor is there male and female,^(M) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.^{(N) 29} If you belong to Christ,^(O) then you are Abraham’s seed,^(P) and heirs^(Q) according to the promise.^(R)