Romans 7:7-12 - Knowledge Of Sin Comes Through The Law

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law of Moses sinful? Certainly not! For I would not have known what sin was if it had not been for the law. For [example]; I would not have known [what it meant] to covet [i.e., have a strong desire for what belongs to someone else] except that the law said [Ex. 20:17], "You must not covet." ⁸ So, through that commandment, sin found an opportunity to produce in my heart all kinds of improper desires for what belonged to others. For until there was the law, sin was dead [i.e., it did not stimulate excitement and activity as much]. ⁹ And I was [once] alive before being aware of the law [i.e., complacent and without a sense of guilt]; but when [awareness of] the commandment [not to sin] came, sin sprang to life, ¹⁰ and I died [i.e., came under its power]. And [so] the commandment, which was [intended] to bring [spiritual] life, actually brought [spiritual] death. ¹¹ For by means of God's commandment [against sinning], sin found an opportunity to deceive me and [even] kill me [spiritually]. ¹² So, the law of Moses itself is holy and the commandment [against sinning] is holy and just and good.