Bible Strands
Romans 4:15
because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul to the Roman church, mid-argument that Abraham was counted righteous by faith before the Mosaic law existed (4:1–12), now turning to what the law actually does.
The words — κατεργάζεται (katergazetai, G2716) is a strong verb meaning "brings about, effects, produces," not a neutral "brings"; the BSB softens it. The law is an active agent that generates wrath, not a passive rulebook.
The thread — Romans 5:13 states sin is "not taken into account" without law; Galatians 3:10 ties reliance on law-works to a curse; Romans 3:19 says the law silences every mouth. All three treat the law as exposing and charging, not as a path to innocence.
Why it lands — It removes the option of using the law as a means of standing before God. A reader who has been treating obedience as a currency must reckon that the same law which defines sin also defines the debt.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Cross-references
- Romans 5:13 For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law.
- Galatians 3:10 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
- Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
- 1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
- Romans 7:7 What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
- John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
- Galatians 3:19 Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.
- 2 Corinthians 3:7 Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory,
- Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
- 1 John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness.