The supplied verb should probably be “is” rather than “was,” since Paul is apparently stating a general principle. He has already implied the idea that sin is “dead” apart from law (chs. 4:15; 5:13). By “dead” he evidently does not mean nonexistent, but inactive, lifeless. Compare “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Sin has reigned ever since Adam’s transgression (Rom. 5:12, 21), but the complete virulence and power of sin stand exposed only when the law enters with its restrictions and prohibitions. Then sin is shown to be rebellion against the will of God, and unregenerate human nature is stirred to sinful opposition and activity.
Without the law.
Literally, “without law,” or “apart from law” (see on ch. 2:12).
Concupiscence.
Gr. epithumia, translated “lust” in v. 7 (see comment there). Paul is saying that the command not to covet made him covet all the more. Such is the natural reaction of the unregenerate heart to the express will of God. The fact that something has been forbidden often seems to make it appear all the more desirable, and provokes the evil passions of a rebellious heart (see Prov. 9:17).
A sinner may often appear to be calm and tranquil, at peace with himself and the world, but when the law of God is brought home to his conscience, he not infrequently becomes irritated and even enraged. He spurns its authority, yet his conscience tells him it is right. He attempts to throw it off, yet he trembles at its power. And to show his independence and his determination to sin, he plunges into iniquity and becomes a more wicked and obstinate sinner. It becomes a struggle for victory, and in the controversy with God he resolves not to be overcome. Accordingly it often happens that a man is more profane, blasphemous, and desperate when under conviction of sin than at other times. Thus it may sometimes be a clear indication that a man is under such conviction when he becomes particularly violent and abusive in his opposition to God.
Compare Paul’s own former experience in resisting the will of God as revealed to him. After the martyrdom of Stephen, Paul was angered by his secret conviction that Stephen was in the right, and in order to quench the growing conviction, he plunged himself with frenzied zeal into a campaign of persecution, terror, and death (see AA 112, 113). He sought to “kick against the pricks” of conviction and enlightened conscience (Acts 26:14). His prejudice and his pride of popularity caused him to rebel against God until he became an instrument in the hands of Satan (see AA 101, 102). Thus did the revelation of the will of God stir up Paul’s sinful nature to still greater sin, until at last he was brought to the place where he was willing to acknowledge his sinfulness and his need of a Saviour (Acts 9:6; see AA 119).
Paul’s experience is a clear illustration of the fact that the law is not able to root out rebelliousness and sin. Its effect may be quite the contrary. It was only when Paul came face to face with Christ that he found freedom from sin’s power and condemnation.
A single precept, in this case the tenth commandment as contrasted with “law,” which refers to the entire code.
The phrase “by the commandment” may be connected with “taking occasion,” meaning that sin took advantage of the commandment (as in KJV). Or it may be connected with “wrought in me,” meaning that sin wrought in me by the help of the commandment. The second may be compared with “working death in me by that which is good” (v. 13). In either case, the meaning is much the same.
Paul personifies sin as a principle and power antagonistic to the law of God (see on ch. 5:12). Sin is represented in the NT as an enemy that is ever seeking to bring about our ruin and takes every occasion to accomplish it. It is described as surrounding and besetting us (Heb. 12:1), bringing us into bondage (Rom. 6:12), enticing us, and thus working our death (James 1:14, 15). In other words, sin is represented as doing all that Satan, the archenemy of mankind, is trying to accomplish by tempting us to commit sin. For the manner in which Satan uses the law as an occasion for tempting and alluring mankind to disobedience, so that men may thereby become subject to condemnation and death, see on Rom. 7:11.