Romans 7:8 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

⁸ So, through that commandment, sin found an opportunity to produce in my heart all kinds of improper desires for what belonged to others. For until there was the law, sin was dead [i.e., it did not stimulate excitement and activity as much].

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

⁸ But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

⁸ But sin, finding opportunity in the commandment [to express itself], got a hold on me and aroused and stimulated all kinds of forbidden desires (lust, covetousness). For without the Law sin is dead [the sense of it is inactive and a lifeless thing].

American Standard Version (1901)

⁸ but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the law sin is dead.

Common English Bible

⁸ But sin seized the opportunity and used this commandment to produce all kinds of desires in me. Sin is dead without the Law.

Catholic Public Domain Version

⁸ But sin, receiving an opportunity through the commandment, wrought in me all manner of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.

Romans 7:8 Cross References

Mark 7:22

greedy desires, wickedness, deceit, unrestrained indecency, envy, slander, arrogance and foolishness.

John 15:22

The person who hates me hates my Father also.

John 15:24

This all happened so the Scripture, written in their Law [Psa. 35:19], would be fulfilled, ‘They hated me for no reason.’

Romans 3:20

This is because no human being can be considered right with God by [obeying] the requirements of a law. [Note: It is difficult to determine the exact sense in which “law” is used in these verses. It may be law generally, or the Law of Moses specifically. See Bruce, pages 52-58]. For the knowledge of what sin is comes from the Law of Moses.

Romans 4:15

For the law brings [God’s] wrath [i.e., because of man’s failure to obey it perfectly], but where there is no law, there is no [responsibility for] sin.

Romans 5:20

This was so that just as sin ruled [over mankind], causing [physical] death, even so God’s unearned favor would rule [over mankind], providing [them with] righteousness, and leading to never ending life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 7:11

For by means of God’s commandment [against sinning], sin found an opportunity to deceive me and [even] kill me [spiritually].

Romans 7:13

Was this [commandment] then, which was intended for my good, [actually] responsible for my [spiritual] death? Certainly not! But so that sin could be seen as [truly] sinful, it produced [spiritual] death in me through something that was good [i.e., the commandment against sinning]. This was so that, by means of the commandment [against sinning], sin could be seen as extremely sinful.

Romans 7:17

So, now I am not [really] the one doing this, but [it is] sin which is living in me.

Romans 7:9

And I was [once] alive before being aware of the law [i.e., complacent and without a sense of guilt]; but when [awareness of] the commandment [not to sin] came, sin sprang to life,

1 Corinthians 15:56

The [harmful] sting that causes [physical] death is sin [See Rom. 5:12]; and the power of sin [to do this] comes from the law. [See Rom. 8:2].