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Question about the Law and Sin

June 10th, 2015

And here is had, for me, a perplexity (which moves in one of my questions):
If it is that sin in its concentrated definition “is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4), how then can Paul so say “sin is not imputed when there is no law” (Romans 5:13)? For surely the law imputes, and doubtlessly sin is transgression of the law, but if this is so then how can there be one without the other as the apostle implies–sin before Moses (e.g., Genesis 4:7), but no law before him.

  • Ed Chait likes this.
  • Sarah Van Baale John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

    And we can only discern God’s law through His Word. So, it has always been – even before Moses.
  • Joseph Ford Check out Romans 5:12-21. All men became sinners because Adam disobeyed the one commandment. Verse 20, the law entered “that the offense might abound,” meaning that we would get the specifics on exactly what we did wrong and God’s grace would allow us to repent of those specific offenses thru the sacrifices, of animals during the OT and thru Christ now. Without the law being our schoolmaster, we have no idea what we did wrong.
  • Jinny Leo Because if the law didn’t exist there would be nothing to show us what a transgression was.
  • Dale Agner I really like using scripture to help explain itself…especially when it is in the same “book.” Romans 1 does a great job getting after the “heart” of sin. Often people “describe sin”, and or its effects and affects…but often “skip” what the heartSee More
    20 hrs · Like · 1
  • Patrick Thompson For until Law (i.e. all through the time previous to the revelation of law) sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression.

Team GotQuestions Blog

a Blog for Sharing Stories, Tips & Encouragement