Romans 7:13
What does Romans 7:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 7:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 7:13 means
Paul asks, “Did then that which is good become death unto me?” and rejects it: “God forbid.” The real purpose was that sin might be exposed as sin by producing death through what is good. The commandment becomes a stage on which sin displays its true nature. “Exceeding sinful” means sin is shown in its full ugliness—not a small flaw but active rebellion destructive to life. The law thus functions as a diagnostic light, revealing the disease’s severity. By intensifying the contrast between holy command and corrupt response, God makes clear that our problem is deeper than behavior; it is the power of sin at work within us.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good;—that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good;—that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Was then that which is good, death to me? In no way. But the purpose was that sin might be seen to be sin by working death to me through that which is good; so that through the orders of the law sin might seem much more evil.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862That which is good then, to me hath it become death? let it not be! but the sin, that it might appear sin, through the good, working death to me, that the sin might become exceeding sinful through the command,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Was that then which is good made death unto me? God forbid! But sin, that it may appear sin, by that which is good, wrought death in me: that sin, by the commandment, might become sinful above measure.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Did then that which is good become death to me? Far be the thought. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death to me by that which is good; in order that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Context
This verse closes the section defending the law (verses 7–13) by emphasizing that law exposes, rather than causes, death. With the law vindicated and sin indicted, Paul now shifts in verses 14–25 to describe the inner war a person experiences, speaking in the present tense. This shows how even one who agrees with the law and delights in it still battles indwelling sin and cannot, by law-keeping, secure victory. The stage is set for the cry for deliverance and the thanksgiving that follows.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 8:3
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
- Romans 7:8
but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the law sin is dead.
- James 1:13
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:
- Galatians 3:21
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law.
- Romans 5:20
And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:
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