What does 'contraptions' mean in Romans 7:8?
In Romans 7:8, 'contraptions' means immoral or evil thinking. The context explains that sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in Paul all manner of contraptions—that is, evil thoughts. It is not referring to mechanical devices but to the corrupt thinking produced by sin when confronted by the law.
Les explains that in Romans 7:8 the word 'contraptions' is best understood as immoral thinking or evil thinking. Paul writes, 'But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of contraptions.' Les connects this to the preceding verse where Paul says he had not known lust except the law had said, 'Thou shalt not covet.' Coveting is the root that triggers breaking the commandments, and sin uses the commandment to produce all kinds of evil thoughts. Les also notes that without the law, old Adam was dead—not functioning in the spirit realm because he was not paying attention to the law. Paul, formerly a religious Pharisee, is the example of this struggle.
But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.