{Until the law} (achri nomou). Until the Mosaic law. Sin
was there before the Mosaic law, for the Jews were like Gentiles
who had the law of reason and conscience ( 2:12-16 ), but the
coming of the law increased their responsibility and their guilt
( 2:9 ). {Sin is not imputed} (hamartia de ouk ellogeitai).
Present passive indicative of late verb elloga(935c) (-e(935c)) from
en and logos, to put down in the ledger to one's account,
examples in inscription and papyri. {When there is no law} (m(880a)ontos nomou). Genitive absolute, no law of any kind, he means.
There was law _before_ the Mosaic law. But what about infants and
idiots in case of death? Do they have responsibility? Surely not.
The sinful nature which they inherit is met by Christ's atoning
death and grace. No longer do men speak of "elect infants."