The Wrong Opportunity

Romans 7:8: But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.

Paul knew the indwelling principle of sin, seizing the opportunity (lit., “taking a start point,” produced in me every kind of covetous desire. The Law is not the cause of the act of sin; the principle or nature of sin within an individual is. But the Law’s specific commandments stimulate the sin principle into acts that violate the commandments and give those acts the character of transgression (4:15; cf. 3:20; 5:13b, 20a). As Paul concluded, apart from Law, sin is dead.

This does not mean that sin has no existence without the Law (cf. 5:13), but that without the Law sin is less active, for the Law arouses “sinful passions” (7:5). It is significant that, beginning with verse 7 and continuing through this chapter, the Apostle Paul turned to the first person singular, presenting his personal experience. Up to this point he had used the third person, the second person, and even the first person plural. But now he described his own experience, allowing the Holy Spirit to apply the truth to his readers. ¹

Application

• When you see a sign that says: “Wet paint, do not touch” does it make you want to touch it?
• That is what this verse is saying. It may seem strange and even frustrate you, but the law can produce a greater opportunity (desire) to sin.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for showing me that I need more grace, not more law.