Definition: For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Romans 7:5. It’s a really important and often confusing passage about temptation and our relationship with sin. Here's a simplified explanation: What it says: “For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.” Let’s unpack it word-by-word: “When we were in the flesh…” – This refers to our lives before we made a conscious choice to follow God. We lived as people who were influenced by temptation and the desire to do wrong. “…the motions of sins…” – “Sins” are actions that go against God’s will, like lying, stealing, or cheating. "Motion" means activity or action. So, these “motions of sins” are all the things we did in our lives that were not right. “…which were by the law…” – This is key! The laws (rules and commandments) given to us by God were a major cause of temptation and wrongdoing. The Bible says these laws were designed to keep us from following God. “…did work in our members…” - “Members” refers to our bodies, specifically our souls – the part of us that is connected to God. "...to bring forth fruit unto death." – This is the shocking part! “Fruit” means a result or outcome. "To bring forth" means to cause something to happen. "Death" represents our separation from God, our inability to follow His will, and our path towards eternal separation from Him. So, putting it all together: The verse is saying that before we were truly free – before we made a conscious choice to obey God – the laws of the world (including temptation) caused our bodies (our souls) to do things that ultimately led us away from God and towards destruction – death. It’s like a seed trying to grow into something poisonous. What does it mean for us ? This verse is about our struggle with sin and our tendency to turn back to what we want rather than what we should . It's a reminder that we are constantly tempted, and that the choices we make – even small ones – can have long-term consequences. It’s about recognizing and resisting temptation to live according to God's will. In short: The verse talks about how our bodies (our souls) were actively working against God when we weren't fully free, leading us down a path of sin and ultimately towards death. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or example? Explore the concept of "fallen nature"?