Romans 7:9 Meaning and Explanation
“For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul describes a former ease apart from the law's full force, until the commandment came, sin sprang to life, and he knew himself condemned.
What Does Romans 7:9 Mean?
Paul recounts an inner history. There was a time he felt alive and untroubled, before the commandment pressed upon his conscience. When it came in its full claim, the dormant power of sin revived, and he came to know himself as one under the sentence of death.
This is the awakening every honest soul faces when God's standard is truly seen. The commandment did not create sin, but it stirred what was hidden and exposed the deadness within. Yet such a death is not the end of the story. The one who learns he has died under sin is the very one made ready to receive life through Christ.
Romans 7:9 in the Original Language
anezesen (ἀνέζησεν), 'revived' -- sprang back to life, as if sin awoke from sleep when the commandment came.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 7:9
What does Romans 7:9 mean?
Paul describes a former ease apart from the law's full force, until the commandment came, sin sprang to life, and he knew himself condemned.