Romans 7:11

For sin. The “for” introduces an explanation of v. 10. The first part of the verse is similar to v. 8, but a different word order in Greek gives emphasis to the fact that it was not the commandment but sin that deceived and “slew me.” Sin is again personified, and is represented as exercising the power to tempt and destroy that is normally attributed to Satan.

By the commandment. These words may be connected with “taking occasion,” or with “deceived me” (cf. on v. 8). The following “and by it slew me” may indicate that the second connection is to be preferred. The passage would then read, “For sin, taking occasion, deceived me by the commandment.” The barrier that the law erects against sin is made the occasion for suggesting the commission of sin.

Deceived. Gr. exapatad, meaning basically, “to make one lose his way.” It is used in the NT only by Paul (see Rom. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:18; 2 Cor. 11:3; 2 Thess. 2:3). In the Garden of Eden sin took advantage of the commandment, “Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Gen. 3:3), to inspire evil desire. As Eve stood before the forbidden tree she questioned why God had withheld its fruit from her (see PP 54). This was Satan’s opportunity, and he used the divine prohibition to beguile Eve into transgression. Sin’s deceit consists in presenting the object of sinful desire as a good thing. However, when obtained, it later proves to be evil (James 1:14, 15; cf. Heb. 3:13, 17). Satan urged that, by partaking of the forbidden fruit, Eve would attain to a more exalted sphere of existence and obtain a wider knowledge (see PP 54). In this deceitful manner Satan used the commandment as a provocation to sin. And when his evil purpose had been accomplished, he used the same commandment as a means of condemnation. For not only is Satan man’s tempter; he is also his accuser (Rev. 12:10; cf. Job 1:9-11; 2:4, 5). Thus Eve discovered to her bitter sorrow that what she had once desired as a thing of delight brought her only condemnation and death.

No being in the universe is more deluded than a sinner in indulging in forbidden desire (see Prov. 7:21-23).

By it. That is, by the commandment.

Slew me. Compare “I died” (v. 9). The commandment, though in itself holy and designed to bring life, became the occasion not only of sin but also of death as its consequence. And all this came about through delusion. The thing desired was not really good, but the lust and covetousness inspired by the tempter caused it to seem so. One great purpose of the transforming power of God’s grace is to dispel this destroying delusion, to bring men back to the true view of things, and so to life and peace with God.