Romans 7:5 Meaning
For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
Context Explained
3So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
4Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
5For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
7What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Key Themes
Related Cross References
Galatians 5:17
Paul explains the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, similar to the struggle with sin.
Romans 8:3
This verse discusses how God condemned sin in the flesh through Jesus.
James 1:15
James describes how sin, when fully grown, brings forth death, echoing the consequences of sin.
Source: Romans 7:5