Romans 7:11
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἀφορμὴν
occasion
G874
ἀφορμὴν
occasion
Strong's:
G874
Word #:
4 of 14
a starting-point, i.e., (figuratively) an opportunity
δι'
by
G1223
δι'
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
6 of 14
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐντολῆς
the commandment
G1785
ἐντολῆς
the commandment
Strong's:
G1785
Word #:
8 of 14
injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δι'
by
G1223
δι'
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
12 of 14
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
Cross References
Genesis 3:13And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.Romans 7:8But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.Hebrews 3:13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.James 1:26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.James 1:22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Historical Context
Paul's Adam/Eve language would resonate with his Jewish audience, who understood Genesis 3 as the paradigmatic sin-narrative. The serpent didn't attack God's word directly but twisted it to arouse desire and promise autonomy. Similarly, sin doesn't make people hate God's law but uses it to provoke rebellion and produce death.
Questions for Reflection
- Where do you see sin 'deceiving' you through God's good commands, promising freedom while producing bondage?
- How does recognizing the Genesis 3 pattern in your own experience help you understand the depth of your need for Christ?
- In what ways might legalism function as sin's deception—promising life through law-keeping while producing spiritual death?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.—Exēpatēsen (ἐξηπάτησεν, "deceived/beguiled") deliberately echoes Genesis 3:13 (LXX), where Eve says "the serpent deceived me." Paul traces his experience to Eden's pattern: prohibition aroused desire, sin deceived through the commandment, and death resulted. Apekteinen (ἀπέκτεινεν, "killed/slew") intensifies "I died" (v. 9)—sin actively murdered using law as its weapon.
The deception isn't that law was wrong but that sin promised fulfillment through disobedience while concealing death's consequence. Sin perverted the good commandment into an instrument of destruction. This exonerates law while exposing sin's malicious cunning. The parallel to Eve's deception underscores sin's universal pattern of exploiting God's word to produce rebellion.