In the phrase sin found its chance the word chance translates a term which originally was used by the military to mean “a base of operation.” But in New Testament times the word was used frequently in a metaphorical sense with the meaning of “opportunity (to do something).” It should be noted that Paul clearly distinguishes between law and sin; law was not intended to be the means by which sin would launch its attack, but sin took advantage of this opportunity to attack man. Found its chance may be rendered as “found a way” or “discovered how.”

To stir up all kinds of covetousness may be rendered as “to cause me to desire all kinds of things” or “to cause me to desire those things I should not want.”

By working through the commandment may often be expressed as a separate sentence—for example, “sin did this by using the commandment” or “sin did this by reminding me of the commandment not to covet.”

The meaning of the last sentence in this verse, for sin is a dead thing apart from law, is difficult. Paul seems to mean that apart from law sin is inactive, that is, powerless (see the related thoughts in 4.15 and 5.13). In some languages sin is a dead thing apart from law may be expressed as “if there is no law, sin has no power” or “where the law does not exist sin can do nothing.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .