Found its chance translates the same phrase found in Rom 7.8, and the exegesis of this verse is similar to that of verse 8. In the Genesis account the serpent plays the part of the deceiver; for Paul it is sin that deceived him. Found its chance and deceived me may be combined into a single expression, “found a way to deceive me.”

By working through the commandment may be translated as “it used the commandment.” Similarly, in the last clause, one may say “sin used the commandment in order to kill me.”

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 .