ROM 7:5 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions that were through the law were working in our members to produce fruit for death.

UST Indeed, when living sinfully used to control us, the laws God gave us caused us to want to sin even more. Our living sinfully controlled what we did with our body parts. As a result, we would eventually die eternally.

BLB For while we were in the flesh, the passions of sins that were through the Law were at work in our members, to the bringing forth of fruit to death.

AICNT For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions that came through the law were at work in our members, so that we bore fruit for death.

OEB When we were living merely earthly lives, our sinful passions, aroused by the Law, were active in every part of our bodies, with the result that our lives bore fruit for death.

WEBBE For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were through the law worked in our members to bring out fruit to death.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For when we were in the flesh, the sinful desires, aroused by the law, were active in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

LSV for when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, that [are] through the Law, were working in our members, to bear fruit to death;

FBV While we were controlled by old nature, our sinful desires (as revealed by the law) were at work within us and resulted in death.

TCNT For when we were in the flesh, our sinful passions, which were aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit leading to death.

T4T When our self-directed nature controlled us, desires that led us to sin were acting in our bodies. Those desires were increased because of our knowing God’s laws [PRS]. As a result we did evil things [IDM] that caused us to be separated from God.

LEB For when we were in the flesh, sinful desires were working through the law in our members, to bear fruit for death.

BBE For when we were in the flesh, the evil passions which came into being through the law were working in our bodies to give the fruit of death.

Moff For when we were unspiritual, the sinful cravings excited by the Law were active in our members and made us fruitful to Death;

Wymth For whilst we were under the thraldom of our earthly natures, sinful passions— made sinful by the Law—were always being aroused to action in our bodily faculties that they might yield fruit to death.

ASV For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

DRA For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members, to bring forth fruit unto death.

YLT for when we were in the flesh, the passions of the sins, that [are] through the law, were working in our members, to bear fruit to the death;

Drby For when we were in the flesh the passions of sins, which [were] by the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit to death;

RV For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
(For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, wrought/done in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. )

SLT For when we were in the flesh the passions of sins, those by the law, were energetic in our members to bring forth fruit to death.

Wbstr For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit to death:

KJB-1769 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

KJB-1611 For when wee were in the flesh, the [fn]motions of sinnes which were by the law, did worke in our members, to bring foorth fruit vnto death.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

7:5 Gr. passions

Bshps For when we were in the fleshe, the lustes of sinne whiche were by the lawe wrought in our members, to bring forth fruite vnto death.
(For when we were in the flesh, the lusts of sin which were by the law wrought/done in our members, to bring forth fruit unto death.)

Gnva For when we were in ye flesh, the affections of sinnes, which were by the Law, had force in our members, to bring foorth fruit vnto death.
(For when we were in ye/you_all flesh, the affections of sins, which were by the Law, had force in our members, to bring forth fruit unto death. )

Cvdl For whan we were in the flesh, the synfull lustes (which were stered vp by the lawe) were mightie in oure membres to brynge forth frute vnto death.
(For when we were in the flesh, the sinful lusts (which were stered up by the law) were mighty in our membres to bring forth fruit unto death.)

TNT For when we were in the flesshe the lustes of synne which were stered vppe by the lawe raygned in oure membres to bringe forth frute vnto deeth.
(For when we were in the flesh the lusts of sin which were stered uppe by the law raygned in our membres to bring forth fruit unto death. )

Wycl For whanne we weren in fleisch, passiouns of synnes, that weren bi the lawe, wrouyten in oure membris, to bere fruyt to deth.
(For when we were in flesh, passiouns of sins, that were by the law, wrought/done in our members, to bear fruit to death.)

Luth Denn da wir im Fleisch waren, da waren die sündlichen Lüste, welche durchs Gesetz sich erregten, kräftig in unsern Gliedern, dem Tode Frucht zu bringe.
(Because there we/us in_the flesh were, there were the sündlichen desires(n), which through law itself/yourself/themselves excitedn, kräftig in ours limbsn, to_him deaths fruit to/for bring/get.)

ClVg Cum enim essemus in carne, passiones peccatorum, quæ per legem erant, operabantur in membris nostris, ut fructificarent morti.[fn]
(Since because we_would_be in/into/on flesh/meat, passions of_sins/sinners, which through the_law they_were, operabantur in/into/on members ours, as fructificarent death. )

7.5 Cum enim essemus. Hic quatuor actus hominis ponit, ante legem, sub lege, sub gratia: deinde in alia vita ubi nullum bellum.

7.5 Since because we_would_be. Here/This four action of_man puts, before the_law, under lawfully, under grace: then/next in/into/on other life where none war.

UGNT ὅτε γὰρ ἦμεν ἐν τῇ σαρκί, τὰ παθήματα τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τὰ διὰ τοῦ νόμου ἐνηργεῖτο ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν εἰς τὸ καρποφορῆσαι τῷ θανάτῳ;
(hote gar aʸmen en taʸ sarki, ta pathaʸmata tōn hamartiōn ta dia tou nomou enaʸrgeito en tois melesin haʸmōn eis to karpoforaʸsai tōi thanatōi;)

SBL-GNT ὅτε γὰρ ἦμεν ἐν τῇ σαρκί, τὰ παθήματα τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τὰ διὰ τοῦ νόμου ἐνηργεῖτο ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν εἰς τὸ καρποφορῆσαι τῷ θανάτῳ·
(hote gar aʸmen en taʸ sarki, ta pathaʸmata tōn hamartiōn ta dia tou nomou enaʸrgeito en tois melesin haʸmōn eis to karpoforaʸsai tōi thanatōi;)

RP-GNT Ὅτε γὰρ ἦμεν ἐν τῇ σαρκί, τὰ παθήματα τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τὰ διὰ τοῦ νόμου ἐνηργεῖτο ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν εἰς τὸ καρποφορῆσαι τῷ θανάτῳ.
(Hote gar aʸmen en taʸ sarki, ta pathaʸmata tōn hamartiōn ta dia tou nomou enaʸrgeito en tois melesin haʸmōn eis to karpoforaʸsai tōi thanatōi.)

TC-GNT Ὅτε γὰρ ἦμεν ἐν τῇ σαρκί, τὰ παθήματα τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τὰ διὰ τοῦ νόμου ἐνηργεῖτο ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν εἰς τὸ καρποφορῆσαι τῷ θανάτῳ.
(Hote gar aʸmen en taʸ sarki, ta pathaʸmata tōn hamartiōn ta dia tou nomou enaʸrgeito en tois melesin haʸmōn eis to karpoforaʸsai tōi thanatōi. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 7:1–6: Believers must follow the new way of the Holy Spirit

In this section, Paul used the example of marriage and the husband dying to show that believers are no longer under the laws of Moses. They are under the new covenant with Jesus. We have died to sin and God has released us from the law of Moses so that we can serve God as the Holy Spirit guides and empowers us.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

We were released from the Law of Moses to serve God in the new way of the Holy Spirit

Dead to the Law, Alive to Serve in the Spirit

Serve^(plur) God in the new way of the Holy Spirit

7:5a

For when we lived according to the flesh,

For when we^(incl) earlier lived according to our physical life,
When our physical being was guiding us, before we believed,

For: Here this word introduces an explanation for what Paul said in 7:4. In some languages it is more natural to omit this word and let the context imply that connection.

when we lived according to the flesh: This clause refers to how believers lived before they believed in Jesus.Cranfield (page 337), Dunn (page 363), and Moo (on TW). Here are other ways to translate this clause:

when we lived according to our human nature (GNT)

While we were still living by our natural inclinations (NJB)

When we were controlled by our old nature (NLT)

when we were still obeying our own desireWestern Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation on TW.

Here this clause refers in general to the way all people live, without focusing on sin, although that is implied. Paul made the idea of sin clear in 7:5b.

7:5b

the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies,

sinful desires, through the laws of Moses, were working in the parts of our bodies,
the laws of Moses stirred up our thinking and our desires to do evil caused various parts of our bodies.

the sinful passions…were at work: Paul spoke of these passions as if they were people working. In some languages it is not natural to speak of passions in that way. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning in a natural way. For example:

our sinful passions…were like someone working

our sinful desires…were causing us to be working

the sinful passions: The Greek word that the BSB translates as passions refers to any kind of desire. Here Paul referred to only those desires that are sinful.

were at work: The Greek word that the BSB translates as were at work refers to doing something that produces the desired result. It does not imply that the work is difficult.

This phrase indicates that the sinful passions worked over a period of time. Here it refers to the whole time before a believer started believing in Jesus. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

were working

aroused by the law: This phrase is literally “through the law.” It indicates that the Laws of Moses helped the sinful passions to be at work in our members. The Laws of Moses pointed out what deeds were bad to do, and our sinful passions then wanted to do them. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

stirred up by the Law (GNT)

the sinful desires, which the Law stirred up, were at work

through the Laws of Moses saying what deeds were evil

our bodies: Here the Greek word that the BSB translates as bodies refers to parts of the body. Here it implies deeds done with the parts of the body. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

any part of yourselves (GNT)

yourselvesYakan Back Translation on TW.

See how you translated “parts” in 6:13.

7:5c

bearing fruit for death.

and so we bore fruit for death.
And our evil deeds benefited/honored death.

bearing fruit for death: Here the phrase bearing fruit is a metaphor that means “doing evil deeds that produce evil results.” These evil results benefit death and the power that death has over people. In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Use a simile. For example:
being like plants that produce fruit for death
Make the meaning more explicit. For example:
producing evil results that honor death
Translate without the figure of speech of bearing fruit. For example:
serving death
doing the work of death
living evil lives that glorified death

for death: Here this phrase is used in a similar way as “to God” was in 7:4. It is a figure of speech that speaks of death as if it were a person who benefits from the evil deeds that people do. See the above examples.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὅτε Γάρ ἦμεν ἐν τῇ σαρκί τά παθήματα τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τά διά τοῦ νόμου ἐνηργεῖτο ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν εἰς τό καρποφορῆσαι τῷ θανάτῳ)

For indicates that what follows this word explains what came before it. For here indicates that what follows in the next two verses explains what Paul said in the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: [In fact,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἦμεν ἐν τῇ σαρκί

˱we˲_were in the flesh

Here Paul speaks of the flesh as if it were a location that someone could be in. He means his readers used to live according to the desires of their sinful natures. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [we were living according to our sinful natures] or [we were doing whatever we wanted to do]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὰ παθήματα τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τὰ διὰ τοῦ νόμου ἐνηργεῖτο

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of passions, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [the desire to sin that was through the law was working]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

τὰ διὰ τοῦ νόμου ἐνηργεῖτο

Paul is leaving out a word that a clause would need in many languages to be complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could supply the word from the context. Paul said something similar about the law causing sin to increase in [5:20](../05/20.md). Alternate translation: [that were increased through the law were working] or [that were stimulated by the law were working]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

διὰ τοῦ νόμου

Here, through indicates the means by which the sinful passions increased. Paul means that the law stimulated people’s desire to sin even more. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [by means of the law]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

ἐνηργεῖτο ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν

˓was˒_working in the members ˱of˲_us

Paul speaks of the sinful passions are if they were people who could work within someone’s body parts. He means that people’s sinful desires caused them to sin with their bodies. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [were causing us to use our members to sin]

Note 7 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

εἰς τὸ καρποφορῆσαι

in_order (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὅτε Γάρ ἦμεν ἐν τῇ σαρκί τά παθήματα τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τά διά τοῦ νόμου ἐνηργεῖτο ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν εἰς τό καρποφορῆσαι τῷ θανάτῳ)

Here, to introduces a result clause. Use a natural way in your language to indicate result. Alternate translation: [which resulted in producing fruit] or [so that they would produce fruit]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

εἰς τὸ καρποφορῆσαι τῷ θανάτῳ

Here Paul uses fruit to refer to the result or outcome of someone’s actions. Paul is using fruit differently than how he used it in the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [so that the outcome was fruit for death]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τῷ θανάτῳ

¬the ˱to˲_death

See how you translated death in [6:16](../06/16.md).

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit