What role does the law play in understanding sin according to Romans 5:13? Setting the Context Romans 5:13: “For sin was in the world before the Law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law.” Key Observation from Romans 5:13 • Sin existed from Adam onward, long before Moses received the Law. • Yet God “does not take it into account” in the same legal sense until His Law is revealed. What “Sin Was in the World” Means • Human nature was already corrupted (Genesis 6:5). • Death reigned (Romans 5:14), proving sin’s presence and its consequence. • Conscience testified to right and wrong (Romans 2:14-15), but there was no written, codified standard. Why “Not Taken into Account” Matters • “Taken into account” (ellogeitai) is an accounting term—meaning to charge to an account. • Before the Law, people still died for sin, yet specific transgressions were not formally itemized. • Once the Law was given, every offense could be tallied against an explicit command. The Law as a Mirror • Romans 3:20: “Through the Law we become conscious of sin.” • Romans 7:7: “I would not have known what coveting really was if the Law had not said, ‘Do not covet.’” • The Law exposes the heart’s motives, revealing sin’s depth. The Law as a Ledger • Romans 4:15: “Where there is no law there is no transgression.” – Transgression = crossing a known line. • The Law converts sin from a general condition into specific violations. • Galatians 3:19: “The Law was added because of transgressions.” • Each command provides a clear charge God can lawfully record. The Law as a Tutor • Galatians 3:24: “The Law became our guardian to lead us to Christ.” • By highlighting sin, the Law drives us to seek grace. • It shows our inability to save ourselves, preparing our hearts for the gospel (Romans 8:3–4). Linking Verses • 1 John 3:4: “Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness.” • Psalm 19:7: “The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul,” underscoring the Law’s goodness even while it condemns. • James 1:23-25 compares the Law to a mirror—look, see, respond. Putting It All Together Romans 5:13 teaches that sin is a universal reality, but God’s Law brings that reality into sharp, legal focus. The Law: 1. Reveals what sin specifically is. 2. Imputes guilt in a formal, accountable way. 3. Drives people toward the only solution—Christ’s atoning work. Understanding sin through the Law magnifies grace, for where sin is counted, grace in Christ abounds all the more (Romans 5:20-21). |
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