Romans 7 · Verse 12

Romans 7:12

Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Romans 7:12, King James Version

Romans 7:12 in other translations

BSBSo then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
WEBTherefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, righteous, and good.
ASVSo that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.
YLTso that the law, indeed, is holy, and the command holy, and righteous, and good.
DARBYSo that the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
BBEBut the law is holy, and its orders are holy, upright, and good.
WebsterWherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

What does Romans 7:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 7:12-13
12-13. Wherefore--"So that." the law is--"is indeed" good, and the commandment--that one so often referred to, which forbids all lusting. holy, and just, and good.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 12. Wherefore. So that. The conclusion to which we come is, that the law is not to be blamed, though these are its effects under existing circumstances. The source of all this is not the law, but the corrupt nature of man. The law is good; and yet the position of the apostle is true, that it is not adapted to purify the heart of fallen man. Its tendency is to excite increased guilt, conflict, alarm, and despair. This verse contains an answer to the question in Rom 7:7, "Is the law sin?"

Is holy. Is not sin. Comp. Rom 7:7.

It is pure in its nature.

And the commandment. The word commandment is here synonymous with the law. It properly means that which is enjoined.

Holy. Pure.

Just. Righteous in its claims and penalties. It is not unequal in its exactions.

Good. In itself good; and in its own nature tending to produce happiness. The sin and condemnation of the guilty is not the fault of the law. If obeyed, it would produce happiness everywhere. See a most beautiful description of the law of God in Ps 19:7-11.

(r) "the law is holy" Ps 19:7-9.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 12 Wherefore the law is holy - As if he had said, to soothe his countrymen, to whom he had been showing the absolute insufficiency of the law either to justify or save from sin: I do not intimate that there is any thing improper or imperfect in the law as a rule of life: it prescribes what is holy, just, and good; for it comes from a holy, just, and good God. The Law, which is to regulate the whole of the outward conduct, is holy; and the Commandment, Thou shalt not covet, which is to regulate the heart, is not less so. All is excellent and pure; but it neither pardons sin nor purifies the heart; and it is because it is holy, just, and good, that it condemns transgressors to death.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 7:7-13

There is no way of coming to that knowledge of sin, which is necessary to repentance, and therefore to peace and pardon, but by trying our hearts and lives by the law. In his own case the apostle would not have known the sinfulness of his thoughts, motives, and actions, but by the law. That perfect standard showed how wrong his heart and life were, proving his sins to be more numerous than he had before thought, but…

Read the full comment on Romans 7:7-13 →

Romans 7:12 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὥστεhōsteSoG5620
ὁho<the>G3588
μὲνmenindeedG3303
νόμοςnomosthe law [is]G3551
ἅγιοςhagiosholyG40
καὶkaiandG2532
ἡhētheG3588
ἐντολὴentolēcommandment [is]G1785
ἁγίαhagiaholyG40
καὶkaiandG2532
δικαίαdikaiarighteousG1342
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀγαθή.agathēgood.G18

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 7:12

  • 1 Timothy 1:8

    But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

  • Psalms 119:137

    צ TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments.

  • Psalms 19:7-12

    The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. …

  • Romans 7:14

    For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

  • Psalms 119:172

    My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

  • Nehemiah 9:13

    Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:

  • Romans 3:31

    Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

  • Deuteronomy 4:8

    And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

  • Psalms 119:140

    Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

  • Psalms 119:127

    Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

  • Romans 12:2

    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

  • Romans 7:16

    If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the law.
14; 3:31; 12:2; De 4:8; 10:12; Ne 9:13; Ps 19:7-12; 119:38,86,127,137
Ps 119:140,172; 1Ti 1:8
the commandment.
7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Romans 7:11

    For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

  • Romans 7:12

    Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

  • Romans 7:13

    Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Read all of Romans 7

Romans 7:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		De manera que la ley á la verdad es santa, y el mandamiento santo, y justo, y bueno.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		La loi donc est sainte, et le commandement est saint, et juste, et bon.
German
Elberfelder 1871		So ist also das Gesetz heilig und das Gebot heilig und gerecht und gut.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Itaque lex quidem sancta, et mandatum sanctum, et justum, et bonum.