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Romans 7

Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

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.

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

What does Romans 7:4 mean?

Explanation

Romans 7:4 speaks to the transformative relationship between believers and the law through their union with Christ.

The verse suggests that Christians are no longer bound by the old Mosaic Law but are free to serve God in a new way through the life and death of Jesus Christ.

The statement "dead to the law" indicates that the legalistic requirements that once defined righteousness are no longer the primary means by which believers are to relate to God.

The metaphor of marriage is used to describe this shift: just as a woman is no longer bound to a deceased husband, Christians are no longer tied to the law because they are "married" to Christ, who was raised from the dead.

The purpose of this new union is to "bring forth fruit unto God," which means to live a life characterized by righteous deeds and spiritual growth.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Romans 7:4 is part of a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian church in Rome during the middle of the first century AD.

Paul addresses both Jewish and Gentile converts, speaking to the tensions between adherence to Jewish law and the new faith in Christ.

The early church grappled with how to integrate the Old Testament law with the new teachings of Jesus.

The idea of dying to the law was revolutionary and had significant implications for how believers practiced their faith and understood their relationship with God.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse raises several key points.

From a Protestant perspective, it has been interpreted to mean that the believer is justified by faith rather than works of the law.

It underscores the doctrine of grace espoused by the Reformation, suggesting a freedom from legalistic requirements through faith in Christ's atoning death and resurrection.

Within Catholicism, while agreeing that salvation is not earned by the law, the importance of works in conjunction with faith is emphasized, reflecting a more synergistic approach to salvation.

The Eastern Orthodox Church might focus on theosis, the process of becoming more like God, which is made possible through this union with Christ.

Practical Applications

The teaching that believers are "dead to the law" can encourage individuals to shift from a mindset of rule-following to one of living out a relational faith centered on love for God and others.

This change in focus emphasizes inner transformation and genuine expressions of faith rather than mere external compliance.

Believers are encouraged to pursue moral and ethical living, not out of fear of legal consequence, but because it is the natural outgrowth of a life united with Christ.

Cross-References

Romans 6:14: "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
Galatians 2:19: "For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God."
Colossians 2:14: "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross."

Language Study

"Dead" (Greek: ἐθανατώθητε, ethanatōthēte) is a key word in Romans 7:4, conveying a sense of finality and separation from the law. This term is used in a metaphorical sense to illustrate a complete break from something that once held authority.

"Married" (Greek: γὰρ ἤρμοσται, ἠρμόσθητε, ērmosthe) connotes a strong bonding or union, indicating a complete transfer of allegiance from the law to Christ.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient religions and cultures, the concept of an individual's obligation to the law or gods was irrevocable and could not be severed by any means.

The idea of dying to an old way of life to take on a new form of relationship with the divine is somewhat unique to Christianity, with some parallels seen in mystery religions that involved ritualistic death and rebirth scenarios.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically speaking, the metaphor of dying and rising with Christ does not refer to a physical process but to a spiritual and psychological one.

Psychology might examine the concepts of identity, moral development, and community values that can shift when one adopts a new belief system or worldview.

Commentaries

Modern biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of Romans 7:4.

N.T.

Wright emphasizes the new life Christians lead through the Spirit rather than the written code of the law.

Douglas Moo may discuss the implications of this verse for understanding Christian freedom from the law's condemnation.

John Stott might discuss the spiritual union with Christ and the ethical outcomes that arise from this bond.

These are just a few examples, and specific commentary on this verse will vary by author and theological background.

Romans 7

Romans 7

What does Romans 7:4 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 7:4 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?