Audio commentary on this verse

Note 3 at Ro 4:15: The Law of God released the wrath of God (see note 4 at Joh 3:36). Without the Law, there was no wrath because without the Law, there was no transgression. 1Jo 3:4 says, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." Therefore, before the Law of God was given, people's sins were not being held against them (see note 2 at Ro 5:13).

This was why Abraham was not killed for marrying his half sister (see note 5 at Ro 4:3) and Jacob for marrying his wife's sister (Le 18:18). God had not given the Law concerning these things yet, and therefore there was no willful transgression on the part of these men. So when the Law of God was introduced, sin revived and we died (see notes 3 and 4 at Ro 7:9). The Law produced death by releasing God's wrath against our sins (see note 4 at Ro 3:19).

Those who seek to keep the Law of God for the purpose of being justified in God's sight will also release the wrath of God in their lives. Praise God for Jesus who brought us out from under the Law and put us under grace (Ro 6:14).