Romans 7:4

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.

Wherefore {G5620}, my {G3450} brethren {G80}, ye {G5210} also {G2532} are become dead {G2289} to the law {G3551} by {G1223} the body {G4983} of Christ {G5547}; that {G1519} ye {G5209} should be married {G1096} to another {G2087}, even to him who is raised {G1453} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}, that {G2443} we should bring forth fruit {G2592} unto God {G2316}.

Thus, my brothers, you have been made dead with regard to the Torah through the Messiah’s body, so that you may belong to someone else, namely, the one who has been raised from the dead, in order for us to bear fruit for God.

Therefore, my brothers, 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 to God.

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God.

Romans 7:4 unpacks a profound truth about the believer's relationship with the Law and their new identity in Christ. Paul uses the analogy of marriage to illustrate how believers are freed from the dominion of the Law to enter into a vital union with the resurrected Christ, resulting in a life that produces spiritual fruit for God.

Context

This verse concludes Paul's powerful marriage analogy, which begins in Romans 7:1-3. He explains that just as death dissolves a marriage bond, making the surviving spouse free to marry another, so too has the believer "died" to the Law through their identification with Christ's death. This passage builds upon the themes of being "dead to sin" and "alive unto God" introduced in Romans chapter 6, emphasizing that our freedom from the Law's condemnation is rooted in Christ's finished work.

Key Themes

  • Freedom from the Law's Condemnation: The phrase "dead to the law by the body of Christ" signifies that believers are no longer under the Law as a means of justification or a source of condemnation. Christ's sacrifice fulfilled the Law's demands and broke its power over those who trust in Him.
  • Union with Christ: The core message is a spiritual "marriage" to Christ. This intimate union with "him who is raised from the dead" implies a shared life, identity, and destiny with the risen Savior. This union is the foundation of the Christian life.
  • Bearing Spiritual Fruit: The ultimate purpose of this new union is "that we should bring forth fruit unto God." This fruit is not the result of legalistic adherence to rules, but a natural outflow of the Holy Spirit's work within those united to Christ, reflecting His character and purposes.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "dead to the law" translates the Greek `κατηργήθητε ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου` (katērgēthēte apo tou nomou), which means "you were rendered inoperative from the law" or "you were discharged from the law." It implies being released from its binding power, not that the Law itself is abolished.
  • "Married to another" emphasizes a new covenantal relationship, distinct from the old one under the Law.
  • "Bring forth fruit unto God" uses the Greek word `καρπόν` (karpon), referring to spiritual produce or outcomes. This fruit is evidence of a genuine relationship with God and is produced by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by human effort alone. This contrasts with the "fruit unto death" mentioned later in Romans 7.

Significance and Application

Romans 7:4 offers immense comfort and clarity for believers. It assures us that our salvation and righteousness do not depend on our ability to perfectly keep the Law, but on our union with Christ. This verse frees us from the burden of legalism and striving for acceptance through works, inviting us instead into a relationship of grace.

Practically, this means:

  • Living by Grace: Our freedom is not a license for sin, but an empowerment to live righteously through the Spirit. We are no longer motivated by fear of punishment but by love for our new "husband," Christ.
  • Spiritual Productivity: The purpose of our union with Christ is to bear much fruit. This includes the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), good works, and a life that brings glory to God. This fruit is a natural outcome of abiding in Him.
  • New Identity: Our identity is no longer defined by our adherence to rules or our failures, but by our profound and unbreakable union with the risen Christ. Just as a believer is dead to the Law, they are alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Peter 2:24

    Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

  • Galatians 5:23

    Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

  • Isaiah 54:5

    For thy Maker [is] thine husband; the LORD of hosts [is] his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

  • 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.

  • Ephesians 5:23

    For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

  • Ephesians 5:27

    That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

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