Romans 7:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For example, a married woman is bound by Torah to her husband while he is alive; but if the husband dies, she is released from the part of the Torah that deals with husbands.

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

For the woman that hath a husband is bound by law to the husband while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For^{G1063} the woman^{G1135} which hath an husband^{G5220} is bound^{G1210} by the law^{G3551} to her husband^{G435} so long as he liveth^{G2198}; but^{G1161} if^{G1437} the husband^{G435} be dead^{G599}, she is loosed^{G2673} from^{G575} the law^{G3551} of her husband^{G435}.

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Commentary for Romans 7:2

Romans 7:2 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, written by the Apostle Paul to the early Christian community in Rome. This verse is part of a larger argument Paul is making about the relationship between the law and the believer in Christ. In the historical context, Paul is addressing the role of the Jewish law in the lives of both Jewish and Gentile Christians, clarifying how faith in Jesus Christ has changed the believers' relationship to the law.

The verse uses a marriage analogy to illustrate the binding nature of the law. Paul explains that a married woman is legally bound to her husband for as long as he lives. This reflects the Jewish understanding of marriage as a covenantal relationship, regulated by the Torah (the law of Moses), which prescribes fidelity and exclusive commitment between husband and wife. The analogy serves to illustrate the binding nature of the law over an individual during their lifetime.

However, Paul states that if the husband dies, the woman is no longer bound by the law that pertains to her husband. This signifies that with the death of her spouse, her marital status changes, and she is free to marry another. In the allegorical sense Paul is conveying, the "death" of the husband represents the believer's death to the law through their union with Christ, who fulfilled the law's requirements. Through Christ's death and resurrection, believers are released from the law's hold and are now free to be joined to Christ in a new covenantal relationship characterized by grace.

In summary, Romans 7:2 uses the metaphor of marriage and the legal status of a widow to communicate the theological principle that, through Christ's death, believers have died to the law and are now free to live in a new relationship with God, one that is not based on adherence to the law but on faith in Jesus Christ. This verse is central to Paul's teaching on the liberating effect of the gospel and the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G1135
   There are 200 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γυνή
   Transliteration: gynḗ
   Pronunciation: goo-nay'
   Description: probably from the base of γίνομαι; a woman; specially, a wife:--wife, woman.
   
3. Strong's Number: G5220
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὕπανδρος
   Transliteration: hýpandros
   Pronunciation: hoop'-an-dros
   Description: from ὑπό and ἀνήρ; in subjection under a man, i.e. a married woman:--which hath an husband.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1210
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέω
   Transliteration: déō
   Pronunciation: deh'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively):--bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind. See also δεῖ, δέομαι.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3551
   There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: νόμος
   Transliteration: nómos
   Pronunciation: nom'-os
   Description: from a primary (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.
   
6. Strong's Number: G435
   There are 279 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀνήρ
   Transliteration: anḗr
   Pronunciation: an'-ayr
   Description: a primary word (compare ἄνθρωπος); a man (properly as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2198
   There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ζάω
   Transliteration: záō
   Pronunciation: dzah'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively):--life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
9. Strong's Number: G1437
   There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐάν
   Transliteration: eán
   Pronunciation: eh-an'
   Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή.
   
10. Strong's Number: G599
    There are 99 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀποθνήσκω
    Transliteration: apothnḗskō
    Pronunciation: ap-oth-nace'-ko
    Description: from ἀπό and θνήσκω; to die off (literally or figuratively):--be dead, death, die, lie a-dying, be slain (X with).
    
11. Strong's Number: G2673
    There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καταργέω
    Transliteration: katargéō
    Pronunciation: kat-arg-eh'-o
    Description: from κατά and ἀργέω; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively:--abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void.
    
12. Strong's Number: G575
    There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀπό
    Transliteration: apó
    Pronunciation: apo'
    Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.