Devine Scripture

Romans 5:13

What does Romans 5:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 5:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 5:13 means

Paul notes that before the law was given, sin already existed in the world. Yet sin is not counted in the same way where there is no law—meaning the Mosaic law had not yet codified transgression into explicit commands and penalties. Still, the presence of sin was real, even if its legal reckoning was not the same. This observation serves his larger point: the problem of sin did not begin with Moses. People were sinners before Sinai, which shows that the root of universal death lies deeper than lawbreaking of a revealed code—it lies in Adam’s transgression that implicated the race.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because, till the law came, sin was in existence, but sin is not put to the account of anyone when there is no law to be broken.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for till law sin was in the world: and sin is not reckoned when there is not law;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For until the law sin was in the world: but sin was not imputed, when the law was not.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

(for until law sin was in [the] world; but sin is not put to account when there is no law;

Context

Verse 13 functions as a clarification within the argument opened in v12. Since Paul just tied death to sin, someone might ask about the time before Moses, when there was no written law. He answers: sin was present even then, though not imputed in the same legal manner. This sets up v14’s crucial evidence—death reigned from Adam to Moses—demonstrating that Adam’s act had consequences for all, even apart from the Mosaic law, and preparing the way to call Adam a figure of the coming One.

v.12Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:—

v.13This passage

v.14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam’s transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 8:21

    And Jehovah smelled the sweet savor; and Jehovah said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake, for that the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done.

  • 1 John 3:4

    Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

  • Genesis 38:7

    And Er, Judah’s first-born, was wicked in the sight of Jehovah; and Jehovah slew him.

  • 1 John 3:14

    We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.

  • Genesis 18:20

    And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

  • Romans 4:15

    for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

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