Romans 5:14

"For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law."

Key Reflection

In Romans 5:14, Paul uses a key distinction to explain how sin and its consequences operated before the Mosaic Law was given. He asserts that sin existed in the world from Adam's fall until Moses’ time, but it could not be legally condemned without a law to define it. This means that while humans were born into a world affected by sin, they could not be held accountable for transgressions unless those transgressions were specifically outlined and prohibited by divine commandment.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 14. Nevertheless. Notwithstanding that sin is not imputed where there is no law, yet death reigned. Death reigned. Men died; they were under the dominion of death in its various melancholy influences. The expression "death reigned" is one that is very striking. It is a representation of death as a monarch; having, dominion over all that period, and over all those generations. Under his dark and withering reign men sank down to the grave. We have a similar expression when we represent death as "the king of terrors." It is a striking and affecting personification, for (1.) his reign is absolute. He strikes down whom he pleases, and when he pleases. (2.) There is no escape.

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