¹⁵ because ^(A)the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

¹³ (For until the law sin was in the world, but ^(A)sin is not imputed when there is no law.

The Law Brings a Curse

¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, ^(A)“Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever ^(A)the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that ^(B)every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become ^[a]guilty before God. ²⁰ Therefore ^(C)by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and ^(A)the strength of sin is the law.

Sin’s Advantage in the Law

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, ^(A)I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ^(B)“You shall not covet.” ⁸ But ^(C)sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For ^(D)apart from the law sin was dead. ⁹ I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. ¹⁰ And the commandment, ^(E)which was to bring life, I found to bring death. ¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. ¹² Therefore ^(F)the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

Law Cannot Save from Sin

¹³ Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. ¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, ^(G)sold under sin. ¹⁵ For what I am doing, I do not understand. ^(H)For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. ¹⁶ If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. ¹⁷ But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ¹⁸ For I know that ^(I)in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. ¹⁹ For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. ²⁰ Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

²¹ I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. ²² For I ^(J)delight in the law of God according to ^(K)the inward man. ²³ But ^(L)I see another law in ^(M)my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me ^(N)from this body of death? ^25 (O)I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Purpose of the Law

¹⁹ What purpose then does the law serve? ^(A)It was added because of transgressions, till the ^(B)Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ^(C)appointed through angels by the hand ^(D)of a mediator.

^36 (A)He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the ^(B)wrath of God abides on him.”

Sin and the Child of God

⁴ Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and ^(A)sin is lawlessness.