Romans 7:4 kjv
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.
Romans 7:4 nkjv
Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another?to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.
Romans 7:4 niv
So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.
Romans 7:4 esv
Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.
Romans 7:4 nlt
So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God.
Romans 7 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 6:1-2 | So we are buried with him through baptism into death... Shall we continue in sin? | Freedom from sin's power |
| Gal 5:1 | For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore... | Christian liberty |
| Gal 3:24-25 | So the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came... | Law as schoolmaster |
| Gal 2:19 | For through the law I died to the law... | Dying to the law |
| Rom 7:6 | But now we are released from the law, having died to that by which we were held. | Release from the law |
| Rom 8:1-2 | There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. | No condemnation |
| John 8:36 | So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. | Freedom in Christ |
| 1 Cor 7:39 | A wife is bound to her husband as long as he is alive... | Marriage bond illustration |
| Heb 7:23-24 | Those priests were too numerous, for death prevented their continuing in office, but he, because he abides forever, has a priesthood that will not be transferred to another. | Christ's permanent priesthood |
| Col 2:13-14 | And you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him... And your trespasses, and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, he canceled out the handwriting by its legal decrees... | Forgiveness and debt canceled |
| Eph 2:14-15 | For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility... by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man from the two, thus making peace. | Breaking down hostility, peace |
| 2 Cor 11:2 | For I am jealous of you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. | Presentation as a pure bride |
| 1 Peter 1:18-19 | knowing that you were redeemed... with precious blood, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. | Redemption |
| Phil 3:9 | and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. | Righteousness through faith |
| John 15:4-5 | Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. | Abiding in Christ |
| Rom 6:3 | Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? | Baptism into Christ's death |
| Acts 13:38-39 | Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. | Freedom from Mosaic law sins |
| 1 Cor 9:20-21 | To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. ... To those outside the law I became as one outside the law... so that I might win those outside the law. | Adapting for Gospel's sake |
| 2 Cor 5:14-15 | For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. | Love of Christ compels service |
Romans 7 verses
Romans 7 4 Meaning
Believers, through Christ, are freed from the dominion of sin and are no longer bound to the Law as a means of righteousness. Just as a wife is freed from the marriage bond upon her husband's death, allowing her to marry another, believers are liberated from the Law's requirements when joined to Christ through his death, enabling them to belong to Him.
Romans 7 4 Context
Romans chapter 7 discusses the believer's struggle with sin and the Law. In the preceding verses, Paul uses the analogy of marriage to explain how believers are no longer under the jurisdiction of the Law. This verse continues that analogy, emphasizing freedom from the Law's binding power through union with Christ. The broader context of Romans 5-8 explores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the security of believers in Christ. This specific verse is a pivotal point in the argument, showing the result of union with Christ.
Romans 7 4 Word Analysis
- οὕτως (houtōs): "Thus," "so," "in this way." This adverb emphasizes the manner or result described.
- καὶ (kai): "And." A common conjunction used here to connect the preceding analogy with the resultant state.
- ὑμεῖς (hymeis): "You" (plural). Addresses the believers directly.
- ἐθανατώθητε (ethanatōthēte): "You were made to die" (passive voice, aorist tense). This indicates a past, completed action that happened to them.
- τῷ (tō): "To/in/by" the. Dative case.
- σώματι (sōmati): "Body." Refers to the physical self, but here more metaphorically to the entire person as it relates to the Law.
- Χριστοῦ (Christou): "Christ's." Belonging to Christ.
- ἵνα (hina): "So that," "in order that." Introduces a purpose clause.
- γένησθε (genēsthe): "You might become," "you might be" (subjunctive mood, aorist tense). Expresses a potential result or purpose.
- ἑτέρῳ (heterō): "Another" (masculine dative singular of heteros, meaning "other of a different kind"). Contrasts with the first husband.
- τῷ (tō): "To/in/by" the. Dative case.
- ἐκ (ek): "Out of," "from."
- νεκρῶν (nekrōn): "The dead" (genitive plural). Refers to Christ who was raised from the dead.
- ἐγηγερμένῳ (egegermenō): "Having been raised" (perfect participle, passive voice). Emphasizes Christ's resurrection.
Group of words analysis:
- "to the body of Christ": This phrase signifies union with Christ. Believers died "in" or "with" the body of Christ, signifying their identification with His death.
- "that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead": This highlights the new relationship established through Christ's resurrection. Being "raised" signifies new life and a new Lord. Belonging to Christ supersedes any former obligation to the Law.
Romans 7 4 Bonus Section
The concept of "dying to the Law" through the "body of Christ" is a powerful theological statement. It suggests that believers died to the Law in their union with Christ, participating in His death. The passive voice emphasizes that this was an act accomplished by God. The choice of "heterō" (another of a different kind) instead of "allos" (another of the same kind) suggests a qualitative change – not just a new master, but a Master of a completely different order than the Law. The focus on Christ being "raised from the dead" is crucial, as it underscores that the new life believers now possess is a result of His victory over death. This new allegiance is not to an abstract principle, but to a resurrected person.
Romans 7 4 Commentary
This verse solidifies the teaching on Christian freedom from the Law's condemnation. The believer's old relationship, bound by the Law, ended at the cross because Christ died. Now, through union with Christ, who was raised from the dead, believers are liberated to serve a new Master, Christ Himself, and live under the new covenant of grace. This is not an invitation to lawlessness, but a release from legalistic striving to the joyful obedience of one deeply loved and forgiven.