Romans 7 2

Romans 7:2 kjv

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.

Romans 7:2 nkjv

For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.

Romans 7:2 niv

For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him.

Romans 7:2 esv

For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.

Romans 7:2 nlt

For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her.

Romans 7 verses

Romans 7 2 Meaning

This verse describes the condition of believers after experiencing spiritual union with Christ. The believer is no longer bound to the Law in the same way as an unbeliever. The "husband" represents the Law, and the "wife" represents the believer. Through faith in Christ, the believer has been freed from the condemnation and penalty of the Law.

Romans 7 2 Context

Romans chapter 7 delves into the believer's relationship with the Law after their conversion. Paul uses a marital analogy to illustrate the cessation of obligation to the Law as a governing authority. The preceding verse (7:1) establishes the premise: just as the Law governs a person until death, so too has Christ’s death freed believers from the Law’s dominion. This verse, Romans 7:2, elaborates on the immediate consequence of this release, explaining the implication of the "death" that frees the believer from their former marital tie to the Law. The historical context involves the ongoing discussion within Judaism and early Christianity about the Law’s role for believers, particularly Gentile believers.

Romans 7 2 Word Analysis

• G5771 - ἔτι (eti): "yet," "still," "even yet." Indicates a continuation or emphasis.
• G1063 - γὰρ (gar): "for," "because." A causal conjunction, introducing the reason or explanation.
• G3739 - οὐ (ou): "not." A negative particle.
• G1315 - βλασφημέω (blasphemeō): "to revile," "to speak evil of," "to blaspheme." Here, it signifies that a woman married to another man would be considered an adulteress if she united with a different man while her husband lived.
• G1325 - βλέπω (blepō): "to see," "to look."
• G3749 - οὐ (ou): "not."
• G1253 - διά (dia): "through," "by means of," "because of."
• G4441 - πρῶτος (prōtos): "first," "former."
• G4441 - πρῶτος (prōtos): "first," "former."
• G233 - ἄνθρωπος (anthropos): "man," "human being," "person."
• G3739 - οὐ (ou): "not."
• G1613 - ἐὰν (ean): "if," "in case that." A conditional particle.
• G3743 - οὐχί (ouchi): "not." A stronger negative.
• G430 - ἀνήρ (anēr): "man," "husband."
• G430 - ἀνήρ (anēr): "man," "husband."
• G2576 - καί (kai): "and," "even." A conjunction.
• G2698 - χρήομαι (chrēomai): "to use," "to employ."
• G4408 - προτοίχιος (protosichios): This word is not in the New Testament. The text actually says, "...that she may be called an adulteress, unless while her husband lives, she is freed from the law of her husband." There appears to be a misunderstanding in the provided words. The key concept is being freed from the Law. The original Greek for the condition of being freed is likely related to a different word in a more precise rendition of the verse’s core idea. The Law of the husband here represents the binding claims and power of the Law over the individual.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "For I speak to those who know the law": Paul addresses those who understand the Mosaic Law.
• "that the law is binding on a person as long as he lives": The Law’s authority over an individual continues until their physical death.
• "so that she is no adulteress, though she marries another man": This clause explains the consequence of the husband’s death on the wife’s marital status concerning the Law.
• "unless while her husband lives, she is freed from the law of her husband": The condition for not being an adulteress by marrying another man is to be released from the bond of the first husband, which is what the Law of her husband implies.

Romans 7 2 Bonus Section

The Law, in this analogy, represents the system of earning salvation through adherence to its commands. The death that frees the believer is the death to sin and the flesh accomplished through union with Christ's death (Rom. 6:2-7). This release from the Law is foundational for understanding the "new life in the Spirit" described in Romans 8. It’s crucial to grasp that this freedom is not a license for sin, but a liberation to live righteously, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The believer’s obligation shifts from the "letter of the law" which kills, to the "spirit of life in Christ Jesus" which liberates (2 Cor. 3:6).

Romans 7 2 Commentary

This verse, through the marital analogy, forcefully illustrates the believer's emancipation from the Law's reign. When Christ died, His followers spiritually died with Him, thus severing the legal tie to the Law. This is not a repeal of the Law, but a release from its damning power and obligation for salvation. The Law’s accusations are silenced by Christ's sacrifice. Consequently, the believer is now free to be united with Christ, as if married to a new Husband. This union is one of grace, not legal obligation or condemnation. It frees believers to live in the Spirit, fulfilling the Law’s righteous intent through love, rather than under its penalty.