The Law and Sin

⁷ What shall we say, then?^(A) Is the law sinful? Certainly not!^(B) Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.^(C) For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”^[a](D)

²⁰ Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;^(A) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.^(B)

¹⁵ because the law brings wrath.^(A) And where there is no law there is no transgression.^(B)

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

⁹ The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”^[a](A) and whatever other command there may be, are summed up^(B) in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^[b](C)

⁸ But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,^(A) produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.^(B)

⁵ But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,^(A) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)^(B)