Romans 7:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 7:6 articulates a profound transformation in the believer's relationship with God's Law, marking a decisive shift from a legalistic adherence to an external code to a vibrant, Spirit-empowered service. Paul declares that believers have been decisively "delivered from the law," signifying a liberation from its power to condemn and a release from the futile endeavor of seeking righteousness through its demands. This deliverance enables a new mode of service, one characterized by the "newness of spirit," which flows from an inner renewal by the Holy Spirit, rather than the "oldness of the letter," which represents a mere outward conformity to written regulations that ultimately highlighted sin and brought death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 7:6 serves as a pivotal conclusion to Paul's intricate argument concerning the Law's role in the life of a justified believer, building directly on the preceding chapters and setting the stage for the triumphant declaration of freedom in Romans 8. In [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ"), Paul establishes 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")). He then addresses the Law in [Romans 7](/romans/7 "Romans 7 - The Law and Sin"), using the analogy of marriage in [Romans 7:1-4](/romans/7-1-4 "Romans 7:1-4 - Analogy of Marriage and the Law") to illustrate how death dissolves a legal bond. Just as a woman is released from the law of her husband upon his death, believers have "died to the Law through the body of Christ" ([Romans 7:4](/romans/7-4 "Romans 7:4 - Died to the Law")) so that they might be united with Christ and "bear fruit for God." Verse 5 then highlights the negative outcome of living "in the flesh" under the Law, where sinful passions were aroused. Therefore, verse 6 presents the glorious resolution: deliverance from this old bond, enabling a new, Spirit-led life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in Rome included both Jewish and Gentile believers, many of whom were grappling with the implications of the Mosaic Law in light of the Gospel. For Jewish Christians, the Law had been central to their identity and covenant relationship with God for centuries. They understood the Law not merely as a set of rules but as a divine revelation, a guide for righteous living, and a marker of God's chosen people. However, Paul consistently argues that while the Law is holy and good ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy")), it was never intended as a means of justification ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - By the Law no one is Justified")) but rather to expose sin ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - Law Reveals Sin")) and lead to Christ ([Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian")). The cultural context also involved a tension between legalistic adherence (often associated with some Jewish factions) and the radical freedom proclaimed by Christ. Paul clarifies that freedom from the Law's condemnation does not equate to lawlessness, but rather a higher form of obedience empowered by the Spirit, contrasting with the external, performance-based righteousness prevalent in some religious circles.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Romans and Paul's theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Liberation and Deliverance**, emphasizing that believers are no longer enslaved to sin's power or the Law's condemnation, but are set free by Christ's work. Secondly, it highlights the **Inadequacy of the Law for Justification and Sanctification**, demonstrating that the Law, while good, cannot impart life or transform the heart; it only reveals sin. This leads to the theme of **New Covenant vs. Old Covenant**, contrasting the "oldness of the letter" (Mosaic Law as a written code) with the "newness of spirit" (the Spirit-empowered life under the new covenant, as seen in [2 Corinthians 3:6](/2_corinthians/3-6 "2 Corinthians 3:6 - The Spirit Gives Life")). Finally, it introduces the critical theme of **Spirit-Empowered Living**, asserting that true service to God flows from an internal work of the Holy Spirit, leading to genuine righteousness and fruitfulness, a concept further developed in [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **delivered (Greek, _katargéō'_):** From G2673, meaning "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." Here, it signifies that the Law's power to hold believers in bondage to sin and condemnation has been rendered inoperative or nullified. It's not that the Law itself is destroyed in its moral essence, but its dominion over the believer as a source of condemnation has been abolished.
* **newness (Greek, _kainótēs'_):** From G2538, meaning "renewal (figuratively):--newness." This term denotes a qualitative newness, something fresh, superior, and unprecedented, rather than merely new in time. It speaks to a profound spiritual renovation, a transformation of the inner being that enables a fundamentally different way of relating to God and serving Him.
* **letter (Greek, _grámma'_):** From G1121, meaning "a writing, i.e. a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning:--bill, learning, letter, scripture, writing, written." In this context, "letter" refers to the written code of the Mosaic Law. Paul contrasts the external, written demands of the Law, which when divorced from the Spirit's power, only reveal sin and bring condemnation, with the internal, life-giving work of the Spirit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But now we are delivered from the law":** This clause marks a decisive turning point, emphasizing a present reality for believers. The Greek word for "delivered" (katargéō) conveys the idea of being rendered inoperative or nullified. It means that the Law's power to condemn and hold us captive to sin has been abolished for those in Christ. This is not an abolition of the Law's moral principles, but of its dominion over us as a means of righteousness or a source of condemnation.
* **"that being dead wherein we were held":** This phrase clarifies the mechanism of deliverance. The "that" refers to the Law's power or dominion over us. The "being dead" (apothnḗskō) refers to the believer's identification with Christ's death, through which we "died to the law" ([Romans 7:4](/romans/7-4 "Romans 7:4 - Died to the Law")). The "wherein we were held" signifies the former state of being enslaved or bound by the Law's demands, which, apart from Christ, led to sin and death. Our death with Christ breaks this bond.
* **"that we should serve in newness of spirit":** This clause states the positive purpose of our deliverance. The word "serve" (douleúō) implies a willing, devoted service, now undertaken not out of compulsion or fear, but from a transformed heart. "Newness of spirit" (kainótēs pneûma) indicates a qualitatively new way of living and serving God, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This service is internal, vibrant, and flows from a renewed inner being, contrasting sharply with external performance.
* **"and not [in] the oldness of the letter":** This final clause provides a stark contrast to the preceding one. "Oldness" (palaiótēs) suggests something antiquated, worn out, or obsolete for the purpose of granting life. "Letter" (grámma) refers to the written code of the Law. Serving in the "oldness of the letter" means attempting to obey God through mere external adherence to rules, without the enabling power of the Spirit. Such service, Paul implies, is futile for achieving true righteousness and only highlights human inadequacy.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several significant literary devices in Romans 7:6. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, or **Contrast**, which is central to the verse's meaning. He starkly contrasts "newness of spirit" with "oldness of the letter," highlighting two fundamentally different modes of relationship with God and service to Him. This contrast emphasizes the radical shift brought about by Christ's work. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Metaphor** and **Personification** carried over from the preceding verses, particularly the analogy of marriage in [Romans 7:1-4](/romans/7-1-4 "Romans 7:1-4 - Analogy of Marriage and the Law"). While not explicitly stated in verse 6, the idea of the Law as a "husband" that held believers in a binding relationship, now "dead" to them, subtly undergirds the concept of being "delivered from the law." The "letter" itself is also a **Metonymy** for the Mosaic Law as a system of external rules, distinct from the life-giving "spirit." The verse's concise phrasing also exhibits **Conciseness**, packing profound theological truth into a few powerful phrases.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 7:6 is a cornerstone of Pauline theology, articulating the profound implications of Christ's work for the believer's relationship with the Mosaic Law. It underscores that salvation is not merely a change in legal status (justification) but a radical transformation of one's operating principle (sanctification). The Law, while holy and good, was never intended to be the source of life or the means of righteousness. Instead, it exposed sin and revealed humanity's inability to perfectly obey God, thus serving as a "tutor" to lead us to Christ. Through Christ's death and resurrection, believers are freed from the Law's condemnation and its power to arouse sin, enabling them to live by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. This new life is characterized by an internal, Spirit-driven obedience that fulfills the righteous requirements of the Law, rather than a burdensome, external adherence to a written code that only highlighted sin.

* [Galatians 5:18](/galatians/5-18 "Galatians 5:18 - Led by the Spirit")
* [2 Corinthians 3:6](/2_corinthians/3-6 "2 Corinthians 3:6 - The Spirit Gives Life")
* [Romans 8:2-4](/romans/8-2-4 "Romans 8:2-4 - The Law of the Spirit of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 7:6 offers profound liberation and a clear directive for Christian living. It challenges us to examine the source and motivation of our obedience to God. Are we striving to earn His favor or maintain our standing through external performance, fearing condemnation if we fail? This would be serving in the "oldness of the letter," a path that inevitably leads to frustration, legalism, and a sense of inadequacy. Instead, Paul calls us to embrace the glorious freedom found in Christ, recognizing that we are truly "delivered from the law" as a means of righteousness. Our service to God is now to flow from the "newness of spirit," meaning it is empowered, guided, and transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. This calls for a daily reliance on the Spirit, yielding to His promptings, and allowing Him to produce genuine righteousness and fruit in our lives. It's a call to live from the inside out, where our obedience is a joyful response of love and gratitude, rather than a burdensome obligation. This Spirit-led life is the true essence of Christian freedom and the path to genuine spiritual vitality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find yourself still trying to earn God's favor or prove your worth through your own efforts, rather than resting in the finished work of Christ?**
* **How does understanding your deliverance from the Law's condemnation change your perspective on sin, obedience, and your relationship with God?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to more intentionally "serve in newness of spirit," relying on the Holy Spirit's power rather than your own willpower or external rules?**
* **How can you discern the difference between serving God out of the "oldness of the letter" versus the "newness of spirit" in your daily walk?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to be "delivered from the law"?**

Answer: To be "delivered from the law" (Greek: *katargéō*) means that the Law's power to condemn us and hold us captive to sin has been rendered inoperative or nullified for those who are in Christ. It does not mean that the moral principles of the Law are abolished or that believers are now free to live lawlessly. Rather, it signifies that our relationship to the Law as a means of justification or a source of condemnation has ended. We are no longer under its dominion in that sense, because we have "died to the law through the body of Christ" ([Romans 7:4](/romans/7-4 "Romans 7:4 - Died to the Law")), and are now united with Him. This freedom allows us to serve God not out of fear or obligation, but out of love and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

**What is the difference between "newness of spirit" and "oldness of the letter"?**

Answer: This contrast highlights two distinct ways of relating to God and serving Him. "Oldness of the letter" refers to attempting to obey God through mere external adherence to the written code of the Mosaic Law, without the internal transformation and enabling power of the Holy Spirit. This approach, Paul argues, only highlights sin and leads to condemnation because no one can perfectly fulfill the Law's demands on their own strength ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - By the Law no one is Justified")). In contrast, "newness of spirit" describes a life lived by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers. This results in an internal, qualitative transformation that produces genuine righteousness and a willing, joyful obedience that flows from a renewed heart, rather than from external compulsion. This is the essence of the new covenant, where the Spirit gives life ([2 Corinthians 3:6](/2_corinthians/3-6 "2 Corinthians 3:6 - The Spirit Gives Life")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 7:6 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who perfectly fulfilled the Law, not only in His sinless life but also in His atoning death, thereby becoming "the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ the End of the Law")). Through His crucifixion, believers are mystically united with Him, dying to the Law's dominion and being raised with Him to new life ([Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - Baptized into Christ's Death")). Christ's resurrection inaugurates the "newness of spirit," as He pours out the Holy Spirit upon His followers, enabling them to live in a way that the "oldness of the letter" could never achieve. The Law, which could only condemn, is now superseded by the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "Romans 8:2 - The Law of the Spirit of Life")), freeing us from the law of sin and death. Thus, our deliverance from the Law is not a permission for lawlessness, but a divine empowerment through Christ to live a life truly pleasing to God, characterized by love and obedience that flows from an indwelling Spirit, fulfilling the righteous requirements of the Law from the heart ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled")).

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

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.