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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 7:9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/7-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/45_Rom_07_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 7:9 - God's Law is Holy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/romans/7-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/7-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/romans/">Romans</a> > <a href="/romans/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/7-8.htm" title="Romans 7:8">◄</a> Romans 7:9 <a href="/romans/7-10.htm" title="Romans 7:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/romans/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/romans/7.htm">New International Version</a> Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. <a href="/nlt/romans/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life, <a href="/esv/romans/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. <a href="/bsb/romans/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. <a href="/blb/romans/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And I once was alive apart from Law; but the commandment having come, sin revived, and I died; <a href="/kjv/romans/7.htm">King James Bible</a> For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. <a href="/nkjv/romans/7.htm">New King James Version</a> I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. <a href="/nasb_/romans/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin came to life, and I died; <a href="/nasb/romans/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; <a href="/nasb77/romans/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive, and I died; <a href="/lsb/romans/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now I was once alive apart from the Law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died; <a href="/amp/romans/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I was once alive without [knowledge of] the Law; but when the commandment came [and I understood its meaning], sin became alive and I died [since the Law sentenced me to death]. <a href="/csb/romans/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Once I was alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life again <a href="/hcsb/romans/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Once I was alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life <a href="/asv/romans/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> And I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died; <a href="/cev/romans/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Before I knew about the Law, I was alive. But as soon as I heard that command, sin came to life, <a href="/erv/romans/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> And I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died; <a href="/gwt/romans/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> At one time I was alive without any laws. But when this commandment came, sin became alive <a href="/gnt/romans/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> I myself was once alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life, <a href="/isv/romans/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> At one time I was alive without any connection to the Law. But when the rule was revealed, sin sprang to life, <a href="/msb/romans/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. <a href="/net/romans/7.htm">NET Bible</a> And I was once alive apart from the law, but with the coming of the commandment sin became alive <a href="/nheb/romans/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin became alive, and I died. <a href="/wbt/romans/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. <a href="/wey/romans/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Once, apart from Law, I was alive, but when the Commandment came, sin sprang into life, and I died; <a href="/web/romans/7.htm">World English Bible</a> I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And I was alive apart from law once, and the command having come, sin revived, and I died; <a href="/blb/romans/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And I once was alive apart from Law; but the commandment having come, sin revived, and I died; <a href="/ylt/romans/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And I was alive apart from law once, and the command having come, the sin revived, and I died; <a href="/slt/romans/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I was living without law once: and the command having come, sin came back to life, and I died.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And I lived some time without the law. But when the commandment came, sin revived, <a href="/cpdv/romans/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now I lived for some time apart from the law. But when the commandment had arrived, sin was revived, <a href="/nabre/romans/7.htm">New American Bible</a> I once lived outside the law, but when the commandment came, sin became alive; <a href="/nrsvce/romans/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Formerly I lived without the law: but when the commandment came, sin came to life and I died. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But I was alive without The Written Law at first, but when the commandment came, sin lived, and I died.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Indeed, I was alive with out the law, once; but when the commandment came, sin be came alive, and I died: <a href="/godbey/romans/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But I was alive at one time without law: but the commandment having come, sin revived, <a href="/haweis/romans/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For though I lived without the law formerly; yet when the commandment came, sin revived, but I died. <a href="/mace/romans/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a> then it was I once liv'd secure; but when the prohibition came, sin exerted it self, and I was in a dying condition: <a href="/wey/romans/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Once, apart from Law, I was alive, but when the Commandment came, sin sprang into life, and I died; <a href="/worrell/romans/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And I was alive apart from the law once; but, when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. <a href="/worsley/romans/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And I was heretofore alive without the law: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died: <a href="/parallel/romans/7-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=1636" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/7.htm">God's Law is Holy</a> …8But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead. 9<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/4218.htm" title="4218: pote (Prtcl) -- At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever.">Once</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: Egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: ezōn (V-IIA-1S) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">was alive</a> <a href="/greek/5565.htm" title="5565: chōris (Prep) -- Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from.">apart from</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomou (N-GMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">the law;</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but when</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1785.htm" title="1785: entolēs (N-GFS) -- An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription.">commandment</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: elthousēs (V-APA-GFS) -- To come, go. ">came,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartia (N-NFS) -- From hamartano; a sin.">sin</a> <a href="/greek/326.htm" title="326: anezēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To come to life again, revive, regain life. To recover life.">sprang to life</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">and</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/599.htm" title="599: apethanon (V-AIA-1S) -- To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.">died.</a> 10So I discovered that the very commandment that was meant to bring life actually brought death.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/2-17.htm">Genesis 2:17</a> 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.” <a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6-7</a> When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. / And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves. <a href="/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4</a> Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die. <a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Ezekiel 18:20</a> The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him. <a href="/hosea/13-1.htm">Hosea 13:1</a> When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal, and he died. <a href="/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5</a> Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. <a href="/psalms/119-67.htm">Psalm 119:67</a> Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word. <a href="/psalms/119-71.htm">Psalm 119:71</a> It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. <a href="/isaiah/59-2.htm">Isaiah 59:2</a> But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. <a href="/matthew/19-17.htm">Matthew 19:17</a> “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” <a href="/luke/15-24.htm">Luke 15:24</a> For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate. <a href="/john/8-34.htm">John 8:34</a> Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. <a href="/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22</a> 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. <a href="/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30</a> Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a> Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.For I.<a href="/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20</a> The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?<a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-29</a> And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? … <a href="/luke/15-29.htm">Luke 15:29</a> And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:without.<a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21</a> Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:<a href="/matthew/15-4.htm">Matthew 15:4-6</a> For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death… <a href="/mark/7-8.htm">Mark 7:8-13</a> For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do… but.<a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Romans 3:19,20</a> Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God… <a href="/romans/10-5.htm">Romans 10:5</a> For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.<a href="/psalms/40-12.htm">Psalm 40:12</a> For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.sin.<a href="/romans/7-21.htm">Romans 7:21-23</a> I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me… <a href="/romans/8-7.htm">Romans 8:7</a> Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.and I died.<a href="/romans/7-4.htm">Romans 7:4,6</a> Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God… <a href="/romans/7-11.htm">Romans 7:11</a> For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.<a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a> Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/7-3.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/romans/7-8.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/romans/5-14.htm">Command</a> <a href="/romans/7-8.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/romans/7-5.htm">Death</a> <a href="/romans/7-6.htm">Died</a> <a href="/romans/7-8.htm">Law</a> <a href="/romans/7-6.htm">Once</a> <a href="/acts/28-31.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/psalms/119-93.htm">Revived</a> <a href="/romans/7-8.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/acts/28-13.htm">Sprang</a> <a href="/romans/7-1.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/8-10.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/romans/10-14.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/romans/7-10.htm">Command</a> <a href="/romans/7-10.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/romans/7-10.htm">Death</a> <a href="/romans/8-34.htm">Died</a> <a href="/romans/7-11.htm">Law</a> <a href="/romans/11-30.htm">Once</a> <a href="/romans/7-12.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/romans/14-9.htm">Revived</a> <a href="/romans/7-11.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-14.htm">Sprang</a> <a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 7</div>1. <a href="/romans/7-1.htm">No law has power over a man longer than he lives.</a> 4. <a href="/romans/7-4.htm">But we are dead to the law.</a> 7. <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Yet is not the law sin;</a> 12. <a href="/romans/7-12.htm">but holy, just and good;</a> 16. <a href="/romans/7-16.htm">as I acknowledge, who am grieved because I cannot keep it.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This phrase reflects a time in Paul's life before he fully understood the implications of the Mosaic Law. In Jewish tradition, children are considered innocent until they reach the age of accountability, often associated with the Bar Mitzvah at age 13. Paul, as a Pharisee, would have been deeply familiar with the law, yet he speaks of a time when he was "alive" without its full weight. This suggests a period of ignorance or innocence regarding the law's demands and consequences. Theologically, this can be seen as a state of spiritual naivety, where one is unaware of the law's power to reveal sin.but when the commandment came, The "commandment" refers to the specific laws given by God, particularly the Ten Commandments. In Jewish history, the giving of the law at Mount Sinai was a pivotal moment, marking a covenant between God and Israel. For Paul, the "coming" of the commandment signifies a personal realization or conviction of the law's requirements. This mirrors the experience of many believers who, upon encountering God's word, become acutely aware of their sinfulness. The law serves as a mirror, reflecting the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man.sin sprang to life Here, Paul personifies sin, suggesting that it was dormant or inactive until the law illuminated it. This aligns with the biblical teaching that the law reveals sin but does not cause it. In Genesis, sin is first introduced with Adam and Eve's disobedience, but it is the law that defines and exposes it. The phrase indicates that sin, once exposed by the law, becomes active and evident in one's life. This is a common theme in Scripture, where the law is seen as a catalyst that brings awareness of sin, as seen in <a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19</a>.and I died. This death is spiritual rather than physical, signifying separation from God due to sin. In <a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a>, Paul states, "For the wages of sin is death," underscoring the idea that sin leads to spiritual death. Theologically, this reflects the doctrine of original sin, where humanity inherits a sinful nature from Adam, resulting in spiritual death. Paul's personal experience mirrors the universal human condition, where the realization of sin through the law leads to an awareness of spiritual death. This sets the stage for the need for redemption through Jesus Christ, who offers life and reconciliation with God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the Book of Romans, Paul is addressing the believers in Rome, explaining the relationship between the law and sin. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a> Refers to the Mosaic Law, which includes commandments given to the Israelites. It serves as a standard of righteousness. 3. <a href="/topical/s/sin.htm">Sin</a> Personified in this passage, sin is depicted as being dormant until the law reveals its presence and power. 4. <a href="/topical/d/death.htm">Death</a> Spiritual death is the result of sin being awakened by the law, leading to separation from God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_role_of_the_law.htm">Understanding the Role of the Law</a> The law is not inherently bad; it serves to reveal sin. Recognize its purpose in showing our need for a Savior. <a href="/topical/t/the_awakening_of_sin.htm">The Awakening of Sin</a> Sin becomes active when the law is introduced. Be aware of how knowledge of God's standards can highlight our shortcomings. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_death_and_life.htm">Spiritual Death and Life</a> Spiritual death results from sin, but through Christ, we can find life. Embrace the life offered through faith in Jesus. <a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_grace.htm">The Need for Grace</a> The law alone cannot save; it points us to the necessity of grace. Depend on God's grace for salvation and transformation. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_freedom.htm">Living in Freedom</a> While the law reveals sin, Christ offers freedom from its power. Live in the freedom that comes from being in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 7</a> <a href="/q/(romans_3_9)_are_jews_and_gentiles_equally_sinful.htm">(Romans 3:9) Is it fair to place Jews and Gentiles on equal footing in sin when the Old Testament sets Israel apart as God's chosen people?</a> <a href="/q/is_the_law_of_moses_useful_or_not.htm">Is the law of Moses useful? Yes. All scripture is... profitable... (2 Timothy 3:16) No. . . . A former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness... (Hebrews 7:18)</a> <a href="/q/does_psalm_7_8_contradict_romans_3_10.htm">If Psalm 7:8 claims personal righteousness, does this contradict the broader biblical teaching of universal sinfulness (e.g., Romans 3:10)?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_aaron_offer_for_his_sons.htm">Why did Aaron offer a sin offering for his sons?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) I was alive.--The state of unconscious morality, uninstructed but as yet uncondemned, may, compared with that state of condemnation, be regarded as a state of "life."Revived.--The English version well represents the meaning of the original, which is not that sin "came to life," but that it "came to life again." Sin is lurking in the heart from the first, but it is dormant until the Commandment comes; then it "revives."I died.--Became subject to the doom of eternal death.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 9-11. - For I was alive without (or, apart from) law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived (or, sprang into life), and I died. And the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death, For sin, taking occasion, through the commandment deceived me, and through it slew me. If, in saying, "I was alive once," the writer is at all remembering his own experience, the reference may be to the time of the innocence of childhood, before he had any distinct consciousness of the behests of law. Or it may be that he is only imagining a possible state without any consciousness of law, so as to bring out more forcibly the operation of law. On the general drift of ver. 9, Calvin says tersely, "Mors peccati vita est hominis: rursum vita peccati mors hominis." In ver. 11 the conception of sin's action is the same as in ver. 8; but the verb now used is ἐξηπάτησε, with obvious reference to Eve's temptation, which is regarded as representing ours (cf. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-3.htm">2 Corinthians 11:3</a>). The view of the origin of human sin presented to us in Genesis is that man at first lived at peace with God; but that the commandment," Thou shalt not eat of it, lest thou die," was taken advantage of by the "serpent" (answering to personified ἁμαρτία in the passage before us), inspiring sinful lust; and that so the commandment (i.e. law), though in itself holy, became the occasion of sin, and of death as its consequence; and further, that all this came about through delusion (ἐξηπάτησε). The thing desired was not really good for man; but the ἐπιθυμία inspired by the tempter caused it to seem so. One great purpose of regenerating grace is to dispel this delusion; to bring us back to the true view of things as they are, and so to peace with God. Thus, in part, does the apostle teach us to regard the inscrutable mystery of sin, and the remedy for it in Christ. <a href="/commentaries/romans/7-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Once ποτέ (pote) Particle <a href="/greek/strongs_4218.htm">Strong's 4218: </a> At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever. I Ἐγὼ (Egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. was alive ἔζων (ezōn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. apart from χωρὶς (chōris) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_5565.htm">Strong's 5565: </a> Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from. [the] Law; νόμου (nomou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. but [when] δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. commandment ἐντολῆς (entolēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1785.htm">Strong's 1785: </a> An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription. came, ἐλθούσης (elthousēs) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. sin ἁμαρτία (hamartia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> From hamartano; a sin. sprang to life ἀνέζησεν (anezēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_326.htm">Strong's 326: </a> To come to life again, revive, regain life. To recover life. and δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. died. ἀπέθανον (apethanon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_599.htm">Strong's 599: </a> To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/7-9.htm">Romans 7:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/7-9.htm">Romans 7:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/7-9.htm">Romans 7:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/7-9.htm">Romans 7:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/7-9.htm">Romans 7:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/7-9.htm">Romans 7:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/7-9.htm">Romans 7:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/7-9.htm">Romans 7:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/7-9.htm">Romans 7:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/7-9.htm">Romans 7:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/7-9.htm">NT Letters: Romans 7:9 I was alive apart from the law (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/7-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 7:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 7:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/7-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 7:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 7:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>