Romans 5:13 Meaning and Explanation
“(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Sin was present in the world before the law was given, though sin is not charged where there is no law.
What Does Romans 5:13 Mean?
Paul opens a parenthesis (continuing through verse 17) to clarify his claim that all have sinned. Before the law was given through Moses, sin was already in the world. Yet without a written law to define it, sin was not formally 'imputed' or charged to a person's account in the same way.
The point prepares for the next verse. Even in the long stretch before the law, something was clearly wrong, for death still ruled. Paul is showing that the problem of sin and death runs deeper and older than the law of Moses -- it reaches all the way back to the one through whom it first entered.
Romans 5:13 in the Original Language
ellogeo (ἐλλογέω), 'imputed' -- to charge to an account, to reckon against someone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 5:13
What does Romans 5:13 mean?
Sin was present in the world before the law was given, though sin is not charged where there is no law.