Romans 4:15
New International Version
because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

New Living Translation
For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)

English Standard Version
For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.

Berean Standard Bible
because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

Berean Literal Bible
For Law brings wrath; and where there is no Law, neither is transgression.

King James Bible
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

New King James Version
because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

New American Standard Bible
for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.

NASB 1995
for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.

NASB 1977
for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

Legacy Standard Bible
for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no trespass.

Amplified Bible
For the Law results in [God’s] wrath [against sin], but where there is no law, there is no violation [of it either].

Christian Standard Bible
because the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

American Standard Version
for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

Contemporary English Version
God becomes angry when his Law is broken. But where there isn't a law, it cannot be broken.

English Revised Version
for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The laws in Moses' Teachings bring about anger. But where laws don't exist, they can't be broken.

Good News Translation
The Law brings down God's anger; but where there is no law, there is no disobeying of the law.

International Standard Version
for the Law produces wrath. Now where there is no Law, neither can there be any violation of it.

Majority Standard Bible
because the law brings wrath. For where there is no law, there is no transgression.

NET Bible
For the law brings wrath, because where there is no law there is no transgression either.

New Heart English Bible
For the law works wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience.

Webster's Bible Translation
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Weymouth New Testament
For the Law inflicts punishment; but where no Law exists, there can be no violation of Law.

World English Bible
For the law produces wrath; for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for the Law works wrath; for where law is not, neither [is] transgression.

Berean Literal Bible
For Law brings wrath; and where there is no Law, neither is transgression.

Young's Literal Translation
for the law doth work wrath; for where law is not, neither is transgression.

Smith's Literal Translation
For the law works wrath: for where is no law, no transgression.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the law worketh wrath. For where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the law works unto wrath. And where there is no law, there is no law-breaking.

New American Bible
For the law produces wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

New Revised Standard Version
For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the law causes provocation; for where there is no law, there is no transgression.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For The Written Law is the worker of wrath, for where there is no Written Law, neither is there a violation of The Written Law.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
for the law inflicts punishment; for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Godbey New Testament
For the law works out wrath: for where there is no law, there is no transgression.

Haweis New Testament
for the law causeth wrath: for where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

Mace New Testament
because the effect of the law is punishment: for if there had been no law, there could have been no transgression.

Weymouth New Testament
For the Law inflicts punishment; but where no Law exists, there can be no violation of Law.

Worrell New Testament
for the law works wrath; but where there is no law, there is no transgression.

Worsley New Testament
Now the law worketh wrath; for where there is no law, there is no transgression.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abraham Receives the Promise
14For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, 15because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. 16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.…

Cross References
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.”

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.

1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

James 2:10
Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Galatians 3:21-22
Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law. / But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

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.

Romans 7:7-11
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.” / But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead. / Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ...

2 Corinthians 3:7-9
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, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!

Hebrews 7:18-19
So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless / (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 10:1
For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.

Galatians 2:16
know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 5:4
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Ephesians 2:15
by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace

Colossians 2:14
having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!


Treasury of Scripture

Because the law works wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Because.

Romans 1:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 2:5,6
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; …

Romans 3:19,20
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God…

where.

Romans 2:12,13
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; …

Romans 5:13
(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

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Broken Disobedience Exists Inflicts Law Outcome Punishment Transgression Violation Work Worketh Works Wrath
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Broken Disobedience Exists Inflicts Law Outcome Punishment Transgression Violation Work Worketh Works Wrath
Romans 4
1. Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness;
10. before he was circumcised.
13. By faith only he and his seed received the promise.
16. Abraham is the father of all who believe.
24. Our faith also shall be credited to us as righteousness.














because the law
The term "law" in this context refers to the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites. The Greek word used here is "νόμος" (nomos), which encompasses not only the written commandments but also the broader legal and moral expectations of the Jewish tradition. Historically, the law was seen as a guide to righteous living, but it also highlighted human inability to achieve perfection. The law serves as a mirror, reflecting humanity's sinful nature and need for a Savior.

brings wrath
The phrase "brings wrath" indicates the consequence of failing to uphold the law. The Greek word for "wrath" is "ὀργή" (orgē), which signifies a strong, passionate response to injustice or sin. In a biblical context, it often refers to God's righteous anger against sin. The law, by defining sin, inevitably leads to wrath because it exposes human shortcomings and the just penalty for sin. This underscores the need for grace, as the law alone cannot save.

And where there is no law
This phrase suggests a condition or state where the law is absent. The absence of law implies a lack of defined boundaries or standards. In the Greek, "where there is no law" is "οὗ δὲ οὐκ ἔστιν νόμος" (hou de ouk estin nomos). This highlights the idea that without a codified standard, there can be no accountability to that standard. Historically, this can be seen in the context of Gentiles who were not given the Mosaic Law, yet were still accountable to God's moral law written on their hearts.

there is no transgression
The term "transgression" comes from the Greek "παράβασις" (parabasis), meaning a violation or overstepping of a boundary. Transgression implies a willful act of disobedience against a known law. Without the law, there can be no transgression because there is no defined line to cross. This does not mean there is no sin, but rather that sin is not accounted as a legal violation without the law. This highlights the purpose of the law: to reveal sin and point to the necessity of faith and grace for salvation.

(15) But in reality the Law is unable to admit them to this. It has an entirely contrary function--namely, to call down punishment upon the offences that it reveals. The Law and faith, therefore, mutually exclude each other, and faith is left to be the sole arbiter of salvation.

Where no law is.--Transgression is ex vi termini the transgression or breach of law, and therefore has no existence in that age of unconscious morality which precedes the introduction of law.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
because
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Law
νόμος (nomos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

brings
κατεργάζεται (katergazetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2716: From kata and ergazomai; to work fully, i.e. Accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion.

wrath.
ὀργὴν (orgēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3709: From oregomai; properly, desire, i.e., violent passion (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment.

And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

where
οὗ (hou)
Adverb
Strong's 3757: Where, whither, when, in what place. Genitive case of hos as adverb; at which place, i.e. Where.

there is
ἔστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

no
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

law,
νόμος (nomos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

[there is] no
οὐδὲ (oude)
Adverb
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

transgression.
παράβασις (parabasis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3847: A transgression, overstepping, deviation. From parabaino; violation.


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