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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 7:4 reveals the profound theological truth that believers, through their spiritual identification with Christ's death on the cross, have been irrevocably freed from the Law's dominion. This liberation is not an end in itself but serves a divine purpose: to enable a new, life-giving union with the resurrected Christ, a spiritual marriage intended to produce genuine, God-honoring fruit that reflects His character and glory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 7:4 serves as the climactic conclusion to Paul's intricate marriage analogy, which begins in [Romans 7:1](/romans/7-1 "Romans 7:1 - The Law's Dominion"). In the preceding verses ([Romans 7:1-3](/romans/7-1-3 "Romans 7:1-3 - The Marriage Analogy")), Paul uses the example of a woman bound to her husband by law until his death, after which she is free to marry another. He applies this legal principle to the believer's relationship with the Mosaic Law, establishing that just as death dissolves a legal bond, so too has the believer "died" to the Law's power. This passage immediately follows the robust discussion in [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ"), where Paul asserts that believers are "dead to sin" and "alive to God in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 6:11](/romans/6-11 "Romans 6:11 - Alive to God in Christ Jesus")). Romans 7:4 thus bridges the themes of freedom from sin's dominion and freedom from the Law's condemnation, grounding both in Christ's death and resurrection.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers, would have been familiar with the concept of marriage as a legally binding covenant. For Jewish believers, the Mosaic Law was central to their identity and relationship with God, and the idea of being "dead to the law" would have been revolutionary, even scandalous, without proper explanation. Paul is addressing a common misunderstanding that freedom from the Law meant license to sin, or that the Law itself was inherently evil. He clarifies that the Law is holy and good ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy")), but it cannot justify or impart life. The cultural understanding of legal contracts and the sanctity of marriage provides a relatable framework for Paul to explain the profound shift in covenantal relationship brought about by Christ.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several foundational themes within Romans and Pauline theology. It highlights the **Supremacy of Christ's Work**, emphasizing that our liberation from the Law's condemning power is solely "by the body of Christ," referring to His atoning death. It underscores the **New Covenant Reality**, where believers are no longer under the old covenant of Law but are now "married to another," signifying a new, intimate, and life-giving union with the resurrected Christ. This union is the wellspring of **Spiritual Transformation and Fruitfulness**, as the ultimate purpose of this new relationship is "that we should bring forth fruit unto God." This contrasts sharply with the "fruit unto death" that the Law, through sin, produced ([Romans 7:5](/romans/7-5 "Romans 7:5 - Fruit Unto Death")). The theme of **Justification by Faith** is implicitly reinforced, as freedom from the Law's demands points away from human effort and towards God's grace in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dead (Greek, _thanatóō'_):** From G2289, meaning "to kill" (literally or figuratively); "to become dead, (cause to be) put to death, kill, mortify." In this context, it signifies a decisive, spiritual severance or rendering inoperative. Believers are not merely "released" from the Law, but have undergone a death to its dominion, a radical break from its power to condemn or define their standing before God. This death is not the annihilation of the Law itself, but the believer's cessation of being under its authority as a means of righteousness.
* **married (Greek, _gínomai'_):** From G1096, meaning "to cause to be," "to become," or "come into being." Here, it is specifically translated "to be married." This word emphasizes a new state of being, a profound and active transition into a new covenantal relationship. It's not a passive state but an active becoming, signifying the initiation of a deep, intimate, and legally recognized union between the believer and Christ.
* **bring forth fruit (Greek, _karpophoréō'_):** From G2592, meaning "to be fertile" (literally or figuratively); "to be (bear, bring forth) fruit(-ful)." This term highlights the natural and expected outcome of the new union with Christ. Just as a marriage is intended to be fruitful, so too is the believer's union with Christ meant to produce spiritual "fruit" – a life characterized by righteousness, good works, and the character of God, which ultimately brings glory to Him. It implies productivity and spiritual vitality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ;":** Paul addresses his audience as "brethren," emphasizing their shared spiritual family. The phrase "ye also are become dead to the law" asserts a completed action: believers have undergone a decisive break from the Law's authority as a means of salvation or condemnation. This "death" is explicitly achieved "by the body of Christ," referring to Christ's physical death on the cross. His crucifixion is the means by which believers are spiritually identified with Him in death, thereby fulfilling the Law's demands and releasing them from its binding power.
* **"that ye should be married to another, [even] to him who is raised from the dead,":** The purpose (indicated by "that") of this death to the Law is not merely freedom, but a new, positive relationship. The analogy shifts to a spiritual "marriage" to "another," specifically identified as "him who is raised from the dead." This highlights the essential role of Christ's resurrection. It is not to a dead Christ that believers are united, but to the living, resurrected Lord, signifying a union that is life-giving, dynamic, and eternal, forming a new covenantal bond.
* **"that we should bring forth fruit unto God.":** This final clause states the ultimate teleological purpose of the entire process: the production of spiritual fruit. The union with the resurrected Christ is not an end in itself, but a means to a transformed life that yields "fruit unto God." This fruit is not merely human effort or moralism, but the natural outflow of the Holy Spirit's work within those united to Christ, reflecting God's character and purposes, and ultimately bringing Him glory.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs **Analogy** throughout [Romans 7:1-4](/romans/7-1-4 "Romans 7:1-4 - The Marriage Analogy and Freedom from the Law"), specifically the **Marriage Analogy**, to explain a complex theological truth in a relatable way. The legal dissolution of a marriage through death provides a clear parallel for the believer's release from the Law's dominion. The **Personification** of the Law as a "husband" underscores its former binding authority over individuals. Furthermore, the concept of "death to the law" and "married to another" involves **Metaphor**, where spiritual realities are described using terms from physical life and relationships. The phrase "bring forth fruit unto God" is also a **Metaphor** for spiritual productivity and righteous living, drawing on the natural imagery of a fruitful vine or tree. These devices work together to illuminate the radical shift from legal bondage to a vibrant, life-producing union with Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 7:4 is a pivotal verse, articulating the believer's new covenant reality and the profound implications of union with Christ. It clarifies that the Law, while holy and good, was never intended to justify or sanctify; rather, it exposed sin and condemned. Through Christ's death, believers are liberated from this condemnation and the Law's power as a master, enabling them to enter into an intimate, life-giving relationship with the resurrected Christ. This union is the source of true righteousness and spiritual fruit, shifting the basis of relationship with God from legal performance to gracious union, thus fulfilling God's redemptive purpose.

* [Galatians 2:19-20](/galatians/2-19-20 "Galatians 2:19-20 - Crucified with Christ")
* [Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Dead in Sins, Alive in Christ")
* [John 15:4-5](/john/15-4-5 "John 15:4-5 - Abiding in the Vine to Bear Fruit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 7:4 offers immense comfort and profound clarity for every believer. It assures us that our salvation, righteousness, and acceptance before God do not depend on our imperfect efforts to keep the Law, but entirely on our unbreakable union with the resurrected Christ. This truth liberates us from the heavy burden of legalism, self-condemnation, and the endless striving for acceptance through works. Instead, it invites us into a relationship of grace, where our motivation for living righteously springs not from fear of punishment, but from love for our new "Husband," Jesus Christ, and the indwelling power of His Spirit. Our identity is no longer defined by our adherence to rules or our past failures, but by our profound and eternal union with the One who died for us and rose again, empowering us to live a life that naturally produces fruit for God's glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding your "death to the law" through Christ's body change your perspective on your daily spiritual walk and your efforts to please God?**
* **In what ways does your "marriage" to the resurrected Christ manifest in your life, and what "fruit" do you observe being produced for God's glory?**
* **How can you more fully embrace your freedom from legalism and live in the grace and power of your union with Christ?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to be "dead to the law"?**

Answer: To be "dead to the law" means that believers are no longer under the Law's authority as a system for justification, condemnation, or as the primary means by which they relate to God. It does not mean the Law is abolished or evil, but that its power to condemn and its role as a covenantal bond for believers has been rendered inoperative through Christ's death. Just as death dissolves a marriage bond, Christ's death on the cross spiritually "killed" the believer's former relationship with the Law, freeing them from its demands and penalties. This concept is further elaborated in [Galatians 2:19](/galatians/2-19 "Galatians 2:19 - Dead to the Law, Alive to God").

**How does being "married to another" relate to Christian living?**

Answer: Being "married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead" signifies a new, intimate, and covenantal union between the believer and the resurrected Christ. This spiritual marriage is the foundation of Christian living. It implies shared identity, resources, and purpose. Just as a physical marriage aims for fruitfulness, this spiritual union is intended to produce "fruit unto God" – a life characterized by righteousness, love, joy, peace, and other attributes of the Holy Spirit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")). This fruit is not produced by human effort to keep rules, but by the indwelling Spirit working through the believer's intimate connection with Christ, as highlighted in [John 15:4-5](/john/15-4-5 "John 15:4-5 - Abiding in Christ").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 7:4 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is the embodiment of the new covenant and the very means by which believers are freed from the old. His "body of Christ" refers directly to His sacrificial death on the cross, which served as the decisive act that "killed" the believer's old relationship with the Law, fulfilling its righteous demands and breaking its condemning power ([Colossians 2:14](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14 - Cancellation of the Certificate of Debt")). Furthermore, the verse points to Christ's glorious resurrection ("him who is raised from the dead") as the basis for the believer's new, life-giving union. It is through His resurrection that He becomes the living "Husband" to whom His church, the bride, is united ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church as Husband and Wife")). This spiritual marriage is the very purpose of His redemptive work, enabling believers to bear "fruit unto God" – a life transformed by the Spirit, reflecting the character of Christ Himself, and ultimately bringing glory to the Father ([John 15:8](/john/15-8 "John 15:8 - Bearing Much Fruit for God's Glory")). Thus, Christ is not only the agent of our liberation but also the object of our new covenantal union and the source of all spiritual fruitfulness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.