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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 7:6 mean?

Explanation

Romans 7:6 speaks about transitioning from living under the law to living by the Spirit. The 'law' here refers to the Old Testament Law given to the Israelites through Moses.

The verse suggests that the believers are no longer bound by the legalistic requirements of the Mosaic Law because of their new life in Christ.

Being "delivered from the law" implies that through Jesus' death and resurrection, believers are released from the authority of the law, which they were under previously.

The phrase "that being dead wherein we were held" suggests that the law's hold over believers (to condemn and point out sin) is compared to a kind of death.

With Christ's intervention, this hold has been broken.

Now, as believers, they are called to "serve in newness of spirit", indicating that their service to God should be motivated by a renewed inner life guided by the Holy Spirit, rather than merely conforming to the external and written code ("oldness of the letter") of the Law.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Romans is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian church in Rome likely around 57 AD.

The church in Rome at the time was a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers who were navigating the relationship between Jewish law and the new faith in Christ.

Paul's message in Romans seeks to explain the nature of salvation, the righteousness of God, and the proper response of believers.

In the socio-religious context of the time, the Jewish followers of Jesus were struggling with the concept of the Law of Moses and what it meant for their new faith.

However, Paul clarifies that Christ's sacrifice has brought a transformative way of relating to God that supersedes the old covenant which was based on strict adherence to the Law.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Romans 7:6 indicates the difference between the Old Covenant (law) and the New Covenant (grace).

In a Reformed or Calvinist viewpoint, this verse might be seen as evidence of the doctrine of the total depravity of man and the inability to achieve righteousness through the works of the law, hence the need for grace.

A Lutheran interpretation might emphasize the law's role as a mirror to reveal human sinfulness and the comfort found in being delivered by grace.

The Catholic perspective, while recognizing the importance of the law historically, might emphasize the transformational role of grace within the sacramental life of the Church.

The Arminian view might highlight human free will's role in responding to the grace offered by God.

Practical Applications

Romans 7:6 can be applied in daily life by encouraging believers not to revert to legalistic tendencies or to rely on external rules to validate their faith or morality.

Instead, it advocates for a relationship with God that is genuinely spiritual and heart-driven.

This could translate into living ethically and making decisions not just because certain actions are commanded or forbidden, but because of a desire to live in harmony with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the example set forth by Christ.

Cross-References

Romans 8:2 – "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
Galatians 3:23-25 – "But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."

2 Corinthians 3:6 – "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."

Language Study

In the verse Romans 7:6, certain key Greek words used are:

"Delivered" (κατηργήθημεν - katērgēthēmen): from καταργέω, meaning to render inoperative or to discharge from a law. 2.

"Dead" (ἀποθανόντος - apothanontos): meaning having died or to be rendered inactive. 3.

"Held" (ἐκρατούμεθα - ekratoumetha): from κρατέω, suggesting retaining, holding firmly, or being restrained. 4.

"Newness" (καινότητι - kainotēti): refers to newness in quality, innovation, or freshness. 5.

"Spirit" (πνεύματι - pneumati): may refer to the Holy Spirit, the human spirit, or a disposition or influence. 6.

"Oldness" (παλαιότητι - palaiotēti): indicates obsoleteness or old age. 7.

"Letter" (γράμματι - grammation): literally means something written, implying a literal interpretation of the written law.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The tension between the 'letter' and the 'spirit' of the law discussed in Romans 7:6 has parallels in other religious traditions.

For example, in Judaism, the Oral Torah is seen as a component that complements the Written Torah, allowing for adaptation and interpretation.

Similarly, in Islam, there is a distinction between the Sharia (law) and its interpretation through fiqh, which can adapt to new circumstances.

Other ancient legal codes, such as Hammurabi's Code, did not possess the concept of a law 'dying' or being replaced but were rather seen as immutable once set forth by the king or gods.

Scientific Perspectives

Romans 7:6 does not offer much for scientific exploration as it deals primarily with theological and spiritual concepts.

However, modern psychology may provide insight into the human tendency towards legalism and the psychological effects of guilt and condemnation versus the internal motivation and autonomy that could relate to serving in "newness of spirit."

commentaries

Commentaries on Romans 7:6 often highlight the verse's significance in Christian theology, concerning salvation and the role of the law.

For instance, John Stott in his book "The Message of Romans" emphasizes the liberation from the law's condemnation and the new life believers have in the Spirit.

F.F.

Bruce in his commentary on Romans explains that the new way of the Spirit transcends the old written code that couldn't transform the heart.

Douglas Moo, in "The Epistle to the Romans," digs deep into the concept of "newness of the Spirit" as a distinctive of Christian living, contrasting it with the old written law that defines sin but does not empower one to overcome it.

These scholarly insights offer depth to the understanding of Paul's message to the Roman Christians and to believers today.

Romans 7

Romans 7

What does Romans 7:6 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 7:6 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?