Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. New Living Translation Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. English Standard Version for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Berean Standard Bible For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Berean Literal Bible For until the Law, sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed, there being no law. King James Bible (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. New King James Version (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. New American Standard Bible for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not counted against anyone when there is no law. NASB 1995 for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. NASB 1977 for until the Law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Legacy Standard Bible for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Amplified Bible Sin was [committed] in the world before the Law [was given], but sin is not charged [against anyone] when there is no law [against it]. Christian Standard Bible In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. Holman Christian Standard Bible In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. American Standard Version for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Contemporary English Version Sin was in the world before the Law came. But no record of sin was kept, because there was no Law. English Revised Version for until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. GOD'S WORD® Translation Sin was in the world before there were any laws. But no record of sin can be kept when there are no laws. Good News Translation There was sin in the world before the Law was given; but where there is no law, no account is kept of sins. International Standard Version Certainly sin was in the world before the Law was given, but no record of sin is kept when there is no Law. NET Bible for before the law was given, sin was in the world, but there is no accounting for sin when there is no law. New Heart English Bible For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law. Webster's Bible Translation For until the law, sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Weymouth New Testament For prior to the Law sin was already in the world; only it is not entered in the account against us when no Law exists. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law. World English Bible For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor until law sin was in the world: and sin is not reckoned when there is not law; Berean Literal Bible For until the Law, sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed, there being no law. Young's Literal Translation for till law sin was in the world: and sin is not reckoned when there is not law; Smith's Literal Translation (For until the law sin was in the world: and sin is not charged, being no law. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor until the law sin was in the world; but sin was not imputed, when the law was not. Catholic Public Domain Version For even before the law, sin was in the world, but sin was not imputed while the law did not exist. New American Bible for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law. New Revised Standard Version sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor until the law was given, though sin was in the world, it was not considered sin, because there was no law. Aramaic Bible in Plain English For until The Written Law, sin was in the universe, but it was not accounted as sin, because there was no written law. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentfor till the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged where there is no law. Godbey New Testament (for until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed, there being no law; Haweis New Testament For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed if there be no law. Mace New Testament sin indeed was in the world all the time before the law: but then sin is not punished when there is no law. Weymouth New Testament For prior to the Law sin was already in the world; only it is not entered in the account against us when no Law exists. Worrell New Testament for until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not reckoned, when there is no law: Worsley New Testament for sin was in the world before the law. Now sin is not imputed where there is no law; Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Death in Adam, Life in Christ12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. 13For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come.… Cross References Romans 4:15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. Romans 3:20 Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. Galatians 3:19 Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. 1 John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness. 1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. Galatians 3:10 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Galatians 3:23 Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. Hebrews 9:22 According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. James 2:10 Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. Acts 17:30 Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. John 9:41 “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” 1 Timothy 1:9 We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, Genesis 2:17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.” Treasury of Scripture (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. until. Genesis 4:7-11 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him… Genesis 6:5,6,11 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually… Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. but sin. Romans 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 1 John 3:4,14 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law… Jump to Previous Account Already Broken Charged Counted Entered Existence Exists Imputed Indeed Law Prior Reckoned Sin WorldJump to Next Account Already Broken Charged Counted Entered Existence Exists Imputed Indeed Law Prior Reckoned Sin WorldRomans 5 1. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God;2. and joy in our hope; 8. that since we were reconciled by his blood, when we were enemies; 10. we shall much more be saved, being reconciled. 12. As sin and death came by Adam; 17. so much more righteousness and life by Jesus Christ. 20. Where sin abounded, grace did superabound. For sin was in the world before the law was given; This phrase acknowledges the presence of sin from the time of Adam, long before the Mosaic Law was established. Theologically, this underscores the universality of sin, as seen in Genesis 3 with the fall of man. The historical context here is the period from Adam to Moses, a time when humanity was governed by natural law and conscience rather than written commandments. This period is significant in understanding the pervasive nature of sin and its consequences, as evidenced by events like the Flood (Genesis 6-9) and the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). Theologically, this sets the stage for the necessity of the law to define and reveal sin more explicitly. but sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings. 2. The Law Refers to the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, which includes the Ten Commandments and other regulations found in the first five books of the Old Testament. 3. Sin A central theme in this passage, sin is described as a transgression against God's law and a condition that affects all humanity. 4. Adam While not directly mentioned in this verse, Adam is a significant figure in the context of Romans 5, representing the entry of sin into the world. 5. The World Refers to humanity and the created order, which has been affected by sin since the time of Adam. Teaching Points Understanding Sin's UniversalitySin existed before the law, indicating its pervasive nature and impact on all humanity. The Role of the Law The law serves to reveal sin, making people aware of their need for a Savior. Accountability and Grace While sin is not counted where there is no law, God's grace through Christ provides a solution to the problem of sin. The Importance of Christ's Redemption Christ's sacrifice addresses the sin problem that existed before and after the law, offering redemption to all. Living in Awareness of Sin and Grace Believers are called to live in the awareness of sin's reality and the transformative power of grace through Jesus Christ. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Romans 5What does 'Death reigned from Adam to Moses' mean? What defines the nature of sin? What does "Death reigned from Adam to Moses" mean? What happens to children during the Rapture?(13) So much we can see; so much is simple matter of history, that sin was in the world from Adam downwards. But here comes the difficulty. Sin there was, but why guilt? And why death, the punishment of guilt? The pre-Mosaic man sinned indeed, but could not rightly be condemned for his sin until there was a law to tell him plainly the distinction between right and wrong. It will be observed that the law of nature (Romans 1:19-20; Romans 2:14-15) is here left out of consideration. In the places mentioned, St. Paul speaks of the law of nature only as applicable to his contemporaries or to comparatively recent times. He does not throw back its operation into the primitive ages of the world; neither does he pronounce upon the degree of responsibility which men, as moral agents, then incurred. This would fall in with the doctrine that the consciousness of right and wrong was gradually formed. It is not, indeed, to be said that St. Paul exactly anticipated the teachings of the inductive school of moralists, but there is much in their system, or at any rate in the results to which they seem to be coming, that appears to fall into easy and harmonious relations with the teaching of the Apostle. Verses 13, 14. - For until Law (i.e. all through the time previous to the revelation of law) sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression. Though νόμος, where it first occurs in ver. 13, refers definitely, as appears from the context, to the Law of Moses, yet it is without the article, as denoting the principle of law, of which the Mosaic code was the embodiment; and it has therefore, in accordance with the rule laid down in this translation, been rendered as above. The purport of these two verses, connected by γὰρ with πάντες η{μαρτον of ver. 12, is to prove that the primeval sin did really infect and implicate the whole race of mankind. It might be supposed that those only would be implicated who had themselves transgressed, as Adam did, a known command; it being an acknowledged principle of Divine justice that only sin against law of which the sinner is conscious is imputed to him for con-detonation (cf. Romans 4:15; also John 9:41). Nay. but the universal dominion of death, the doom of sin, over all alike, whether or not they had themselves so sinned, was proof that sin was all along dominant in the world, infecting all. The Mosaic Law is spoken of as the distinct revelation of Divine Law to man; and therefore attention is first drawn to the fact that before that revelation, no less than after it, death had reigned over all. But is it thus implied that until the Law from Mount Sinai men had been without any kind of law, for transgressing which they were responsible? Not so. That Law is indeed regarded as the first definite enunciation of law under evident Divine sanction, after which, to those that were under it, sin became indubitably and exceeding sinful; but that men are conceived as having sinned previously against law of some kind, appears from the phrase, "Even over those (καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς) who had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression," i.e. consciously against a known command. This surely implies that some had so sinned; and thus the essential point of the argument is that even over those who had not so sinned (such as the unenlightened and invincibly ignorant, or persons dying in infancy) death had equally reigned. Who is the figure of him that was to come. This is added so as to bring round the thought to the main subject of the chapter, viz. the reconciliation of all mankind through Christ, to which the scriptural account of the condemnation of all mankind through Adam had, at ver. 12, been adduced as analogous. Who refers to Adam, who has just been for the first time named; he that was to come is Christ, who is called, in 1 Corinthians 15:45, "the last Adam." Adam was a type (τύπος) of Christ in that both represented entire humanity; one as the representative and author of fallen, the other of restored, humanity - the transgression of the one and the obedience of the other alike affecting all (see vers 18, 19). But there is a difference between the two cases; and this is pointed out in vers. 15, 16, 17, which follow.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Forγὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. sin ἁμαρτία (hamartia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin. was ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. [the] world κόσμῳ (kosmō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). before ἄχρι (achri) Preposition Strong's 891: As far as, up to, until, during. Or achris akh'-rece; akin to akron; until or up to. [the] Law [was given]; νόμου (nomou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. but δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. sin ἁμαρτία (hamartia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin. is not taken into account ἐλλογεῖται (ellogeitai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1677: To charge to, put to one's account, impute. From en and logos; to reckon in, i.e. Attribute. when there is ὄντος (ontos) Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. no μὴ (mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. law. νόμου (nomou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. Links Romans 5:13 NIVRomans 5:13 NLT Romans 5:13 ESV Romans 5:13 NASB Romans 5:13 KJV Romans 5:13 BibleApps.com Romans 5:13 Biblia Paralela Romans 5:13 Chinese Bible Romans 5:13 French Bible Romans 5:13 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Romans 5:13 For until the law sin was (Rom. Ro) |
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