Romans 7:6

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not [in] the oldness of the letter.

But {G1161} now {G3570} we are delivered {G2673} from {G575} the law {G3551}, that being dead {G599}{G599} wherein {G1722}{G3739} we were held {G2722}; that {G5620} we {G2248} should serve {G1398} in {G1722} newness {G2538} of spirit {G4151}, and {G2532} not {G3756} in the oldness {G3821} of the letter {G1121}.

But now we have been released from this aspect of the Torah, because we have died to that which had us in its clutches, so that we are serving in the new way provided by the Spirit and not in the old way of outwardly following the letter of the law.

But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that wherein we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.

Romans 7:6 succinctly articulates a pivotal shift in the believer's relationship with God's Law, emphasizing a transition from serving under the old covenant's written code to living by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Paul declares that believers are "delivered from the law," no longer bound by its power to condemn, but are now free to serve God with a transformed heart and renewed purpose.

Context

This verse is a crucial part of Paul's intricate argument in Romans, particularly in chapters 6-8, where he addresses the implications of justification by faith. Having established that believers are "dead to sin" through identification with Christ's death and resurrection (Romans 6), Paul then tackles the Law's role. In Romans 7:1-5, he uses the analogy of marriage to illustrate how a person is bound to their spouse by law until death dissolves that bond. Similarly, believers "died to the law" through Christ's body, freeing them to be "married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead," so that they might "bring forth fruit unto God." Verse 6, therefore, summarizes this liberation, setting the stage for the glorious freedom in the Spirit described in Romans 8:1-2, where there is "no condemnation" for those in Christ Jesus.

Key Themes

  • Deliverance from the Law's Dominion: The verse highlights that believers are no longer under the Law's condemning power. The Law's function was to reveal sin, not to save, and it held people captive in their inability to perfectly fulfill its demands. Through Christ, that dominion is broken.
  • Death to the Law: The phrase "that being dead wherein we were held" refers to the Law's power over the believer being rendered inoperative. It's not that the Law itself is dead or abolished in its moral principles, but its power to accuse and condemn those who are in Christ has been nullified.
  • Newness of Spirit: This contrasts sharply with the "oldness of the letter." "Newness of spirit" signifies a life lived by the Holy Spirit's power and guidance, resulting in genuine, internal transformation and a willing obedience that springs from a loving relationship with God. This is the essence of the new covenant, where the Spirit gives life.
  • Oldness of the Letter: This refers to the Mosaic Law as a written code, which, when approached merely as external rules without the Spirit's enabling power, only revealed sin and brought condemnation. Serving in the "oldness of the letter" is a performance-based obedience that cannot achieve true righteousness.
  • Serving God: The ultimate purpose of this deliverance is not lawlessness but a new, more profound service to God. This service is characterized by an inner transformation, driven by the Spirit, rather than an outward adherence to rules.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Delivered" (KJV) / "Released" (ESV, NIV): The Greek word is katērgēthēmen (κατηργήθημεν), which means 'to be rendered inoperative,' 'abolished,' 'discharged,' or 'made ineffective.' It signifies that the Law's power to hold believers captive to sin and condemnation has been nullified through Christ's work.
  • "Newness of Spirit" (ἐν καινότητι πνεύματος - en kainotēti pneumatos): The word kainotēs (newness) implies a qualitative newness, something fresh and superior, not merely new in time. This "newness" is empowered by the Pneuma (Spirit), referring to the Holy Spirit who indwells believers and empowers them to live a righteous life.
  • "Oldness of the Letter" (παλαιότητι γράμματος - palaiotēti grammatos): Palaiotēs (oldness) suggests something worn out, obsolete, or ineffective for the purpose of granting life. Gramma (letter) refers to the written code of the Law. This phrase emphasizes the Law's inability to bring about inner transformation or true righteousness when followed externally without the Spirit.

Practical Application

Romans 7:6 offers profound liberation for believers today. It reminds us that our relationship with God is not based on perfectly following a set of external rules, which inevitably leads to frustration and condemnation, but on the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. This verse encourages us to:

  • Embrace Freedom: Understand that we are no longer under the burden of trying to earn God's favor through our own efforts. Our standing before God is secure in Christ.
  • Walk in the Spirit: Actively rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance, strength, and transformation. True Christian living is not about willpower, but about yielding to the Spirit's leading, allowing Him to produce His fruit in us (see Galatians 5:22-23).
  • Live from the Inside Out: Our obedience should flow from a renewed heart, not from a fear of punishment or a desire for external approval. This "newness of spirit" results in a joyful, willing service to God that truly honors Him.
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.

  • Galatians 3:23

    But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

  • Galatians 3:25

    But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:6

    ¶ Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

  • 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.

  • Romans 6:4

    Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

  • Galatians 4:4

    But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

  • Galatians 4:5

    To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

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