⁵ For when we were in the realm of the flesh,^[a](A) the sinful passions aroused by the law^(B) were at work in us,^(C) so that we bore fruit for death.^{(D) 6} But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law^(E) so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.^(F)

The Law and Sin

⁷ What shall we say, then?^(G) Is the law sinful? Certainly not!^(H) Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.^(I) For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”^{[b](J) 8} But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,^(K) produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.^{(L) 9} Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ¹⁰ I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life^(M) actually brought death. ¹¹ For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,^(N) deceived me,^(O) and through the commandment put me to death. ¹² So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.^(P)