Romans 7:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Therefore, while the husband is alive, she will be called an adulteress if she marries another man; but if the husband dies, she is free from that part of the Torah; so that if she marries another man, she is not an adulteress.

Berean Standard Bible:

So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress, even if she marries another man.

American Standard Version:

So then if, while the husband liveth, she be joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if the husband die, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she be joined to another man.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

So then^{{G686}{G3767}} if^{G1437}, while her husband^{G435} liveth^{G2198}, she be married^{G1096} to another^{G2087} man^{G435}, she shall be called^{G5537} an adulteress^{G3428}: but^{G1161} if^{G1437} her husband^{G435} be dead^{G599}, she is^{G2076} free^{G1658} from^{G575} that law^{G3551}; so that she^{G846} is^{G1511} no^{G3361} adulteress^{G3428}, though she be married^{G1096} to another^{G2087} man^{G435}.

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Commentary for Romans 7:3

Romans 7:3 is a verse in 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 law and its relationship to sin and grace. In the historical context, Paul is addressing a Jewish Christian audience familiar with the Torah, particularly the commandments regarding marriage and adultery.

In this verse, Paul uses a marriage analogy to illustrate a theological principle. He explains that a woman is bound to her husband by the law as long as he lives. If she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she commits adultery according to the law. However, if her husband dies, the law no longer binds her to him, and she is free to marry another without being considered an adulteress.

The broader theme Paul is conveying is the believer's relationship to the law of Moses. He draws a parallel between the marriage bond and the believer's former bondage to the law, suggesting that, just as a woman is released from the law concerning her husband upon his death, so too are Christians released from the law through the death of Christ. Through Christ's sacrifice, believers have "died" to the law and are now free to be "married" to another, which is to live in the newness of the Spirit. This metaphor serves to explain the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant, where faith in Jesus Christ frees believers from the obligations and condemnation of the law, allowing them to live in a new relationship with God characterized by grace and life in the Spirit.

This verse reflects the early Christian struggle to understand their identity and relationship with Jewish law and tradition. Paul's teaching here is foundational for the doctrine of justification by faith and the belief that in Christ, believers are no longer under the law but under grace.

*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: G686
   There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄρα
   Transliteration: ára
   Pronunciation: ar'-ah
   Description: probably from αἴρω (through the idea of drawing a conclusion); a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows):--haply, (what) manner (of man), no doubt, perhaps, so be, then, therefore, truly, wherefore. Often used in connection with other particles, especially γέ or οὖν (after) or εἰ (before). Compare also ἆρα.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1096
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γίνομαι
   Transliteration: gínomai
   Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
   Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2087
   There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἕτερος
   Transliteration: héteros
   Pronunciation: het'-er-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; (an-, the) other or different:--altered, else, next (day), one, (an-)other, some, strange.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5537
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: χρηματίζω
   Transliteration: chrēmatízō
   Pronunciation: khray-mat-id'-zo
   Description: from χρῆμα; to utter an oracle (compare the original sense of χράομαι), i.e. divinely intimate; by implication, (compare the secular sense of χρεία) to constitute a firm for business, i.e. (generally) bear as a title:--be called, be admonished (warned) of God, reveal, speak.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3428
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μοιχαλίς
   Transliteration: moichalís
   Pronunciation: moy-khal-is'
   Description: a prolonged form of the feminine of μοιχός; an adulteress (literally or figuratively):--adulteress(-ous, -y).
   
10. 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).
    
11. 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).
    
12. Strong's Number: G2076
    There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐστί
    Transliteration: estí
    Pronunciation: es-tee'
    Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1658
    There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐλεύθερος
    Transliteration: eleútheros
    Pronunciation: el-yoo'-ther-os
    Description: probably from the alternate of ἔρχομαι; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e. (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or liability):--free (man, woman), at liberty.
    
14. 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.
    
15. 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.
    
16. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
17. Strong's Number: G1511
    There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἶναι
    Transliteration: eînai
    Pronunciation: i'-nahee
    Description: present infinitive from εἰμί; to exist:--am, was. come, is, X lust after, X please well, there is, to be, was.
    
18. Strong's Number: G3361
    There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μή
    Transliteration: mḗ
    Pronunciation: may
    Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.