Romans 7:8
But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
Original Language Analysis
ἀφορμὴν
occasion
G874
ἀφορμὴν
occasion
Strong's:
G874
Word #:
1 of 18
a starting-point, i.e., (figuratively) an opportunity
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
6 of 18
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐντολῆς
the commandment
G1785
ἐντολῆς
the commandment
Strong's:
G1785
Word #:
8 of 18
injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription
κατειργάσατο
wrought
G2716
κατειργάσατο
wrought
Strong's:
G2716
Word #:
9 of 18
to work fully, i.e., accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion
ἐπιθυμίαν·
concupiscence
G1939
ἐπιθυμίαν·
concupiscence
Strong's:
G1939
Word #:
13 of 18
a longing (especially for what is forbidden)
χωρὶς
without
G5565
χωρὶς
without
Strong's:
G5565
Word #:
14 of 18
at a space, i.e., separately or apart from (often as preposition)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
Cross References
Romans 7:11For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.1 Corinthians 15:56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.Romans 4:15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.Romans 7:13Was 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.John 15:22If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.Romans 7:17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.Romans 5:20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:John 15:24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
Historical Context
Paul draws on the Genesis 3 pattern where prohibition ("you shall not eat") aroused Eve's desire for the forbidden fruit. The entrance of law at Sinai brought heightened consciousness of sin and increased accountability. Paul isn't condemning law but explaining how sin nature exploits even God's good commands to produce rebellion.
Questions for Reflection
- Where do you see the 'forbidden fruit' dynamic—prohibition arousing desire—operating in your struggle with sin?
- How does recognizing that sin uses God's good commands as a base of operations change how you approach temptation?
- What does this teach about the limitations of external rules (even God's) to produce heart-level transformation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But sin, taking occasion by the commandment—Aphormē (ἀφορμή, "occasion/opportunity") is a military term for a base of operations. Sin used the commandment as a launching point for assault. Wrought in me all manner of concupiscence—Kateirgasato (κατειργάσατο, "produced/accomplished") shows sin's active work. Pasan epithymian (πᾶσαν ἐπιθυμίαν, "every/all desire") describes the multiplication of sinful cravings provoked by prohibition.
For without the law sin was dead.—Nekra (νεκρά, "dead") means dormant or inactive, not non-existent. Sin existed before Sinai (Romans 5:13) but lacked the consciousness-arousing, passion-stimulating power that commandments provide. This explains the perverse human tendency to desire what's forbidden—prohibition awakens and intensifies rebellious desires.