Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 7:5

"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." — Romans 7:5 (ASV)

For when, etc. The illustration in this verse and the following is designed to show more fully the effect of the law, whenever and wherever applied, whether in a state of nature or of grace. It was always the same. It was the occasion of agitation and conflict in a man's own mind. This was true when a sinner was under conviction, and it was true when a man was a Christian.

In all circumstances where the law was applied to the corrupt mind of man, it produced this agitation and conflict. Even in the Christian's mind it produced this agitation (Romans 7:14–24), as it had done and would do in the mind of a sinner under conviction (Romans 7:7–12). Consequently, there was no hope of release but in the delivering and sanctifying power of the gospel (Romans 7:25; Romans 8:1–3).

In the flesh. Unconverted; subject to the controlling passions and propensities of a corrupt nature. Compare to Romans 7:8-9. The context shows that this must be the meaning here, and the design of this illustration is to show the effect of the law before a man is converted (Romans 7:5–12). This is the obvious meaning, and all the laws of interpretation require us to understand it this way.

The motions of sins. (ta pathēmata). This translation is unfortunate. The expression "motions of sins" conveys no idea. The original means simply the passions, the evil affections, the corrupt desires. See the margin. The expression, passions of sins, is a Hebraism, meaning sinful passions, and refers here to the corrupt propensities and inclinations of the unrenewed heart.

Which were by the law. Not that they were originated or created by the law. For a law does not originate evil propensities, and a holy law would not cause sinful passions. Rather, they were excited, called up, and inflamed by the law, which forbids their indulgence.

Did work in our members. In our body; that is, in us. Those sinful propensities made use of our members as instruments to secure gratification. See Barnes on Romans 6:12-13.

Compare to Romans 7:23.

To bring forth fruit unto death. To produce crime, agitation, conflict, distress, and to lead to death. We were brought under the dominion of death, and the consequence of the indulgence of those passions would be fatal. Compare to Barnes on Romans 6:21.