Romans 7:5-7
New Living Translation
5 When we were controlled by our old nature,[a] sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. 6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.
God’s Law Reveals Our Sin
7 Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.”[b]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 7:5 Greek When we were in the flesh.
- 7:7 Exod 20:17; Deut 5:21.
Romans 7:5-7
New International Version
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)
Footnotes
- Romans 7:5 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
- Romans 7:7 Exodus 20:17; Deut. 5:21
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