Romans 7:13
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Original Language Analysis
Τὸ
G3588
Τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὖν
Was then
G3767
οὖν
Was then
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 30
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
γένηται
made
G1096
γένηται
made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
5 of 30
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
θάνατον
death
G2288
θάνατον
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
6 of 30
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
μὴ
God forbid
G3361
μὴ
God forbid
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
7 of 30
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
γένηται
made
G1096
γένηται
made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
8 of 30
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἀλλὰ
But
G235
ἀλλὰ
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
9 of 30
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φανῇ
it might appear
G5316
φανῇ
it might appear
Strong's:
G5316
Word #:
13 of 30
to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
15 of 30
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατεργαζομένη
working
G2716
κατεργαζομένη
working
Strong's:
G2716
Word #:
19 of 30
to work fully, i.e., accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion
θάνατον
death
G2288
θάνατον
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
20 of 30
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
γένηται
made
G1096
γένηται
made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
22 of 30
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
καθ'
exceeding
G2596
καθ'
exceeding
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
23 of 30
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ὑπερβολὴν
G5236
ὑπερβολὴν
Strong's:
G5236
Word #:
24 of 30
a throwing beyond others, i.e., (figuratively) supereminence; adverbially (with g1519 or g2596) pre- eminently
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
28 of 30
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
Historical Context
Paul concludes his defense of law's goodness while explaining its condemning ministry. The purpose wasn't arbitrary condemnation but accurate diagnosis. Only when sin appears 'exceeding sinful' do people abandon self-righteousness and flee to Christ. Law serves God's redemptive plan by demolishing false hopes in human ability.
Questions for Reflection
- How has law functioned to make sin appear 'exceeding sinful' in your life rather than merely disappointing or regrettable?
- What might it reveal about your view of sin if law's exposure doesn't drive you to desperate dependence on Christ?
- How does understanding law's diagnostic purpose help you receive conviction without condemnation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid.—Paul anticipates objection: if law is good (v. 12) but produces death (v. 10), isn't good itself deadly? Mē genoito (μὴ γένοιτο)—his strongest negation—emphatically denies this. Law remains good; sin bears sole responsibility for death.
But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good—Hina phanē hamartia (ἵνα φανῇ ἁμαρτία, "that it might be shown to be sin") reveals law's purpose: unmasking sin's true character. Sin's ability to pervert even God's good law into death's instrument exposes sin's exceeding malignity. That sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful—Kath' hyperbolēn hamartōlos (καθ' ὑπερβολὴν ἁμαρτωλός, "sinful beyond measure") intensifies sin's vileness. Law's function is diagnostic—revealing sin's lethal nature and desperate need for remedy.