Romans 7:4-6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:6

Verse 6 6.But now we have been loosed from the law, etc. He pursues the argument derived from the opposite effect of things, — “If the restraint of the law availed so little to bridle the flesh, that it became rather the exciter of sin; then, that we may cease from sin, we must necessarily be freed from the law.” Again, “If we are freed from the bondage of the law for this end, that we may serve God; then, perversely do they act who hence take the liberty to indulge in sin; and falsely do they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 7:1-6

Here comes in the third illustration of the moral obligation of the baptized. It rests on the recognized principle that death cancels the claims of human law on a person (cf. Romans 6:7 ); and this with especial reference to the law of marriage, as being peculiarly applicable to the subject to be illustrated, since the Church is elsewhere regarded as married to Christ. As has been observed above, it is from the Law that Christians are now said to be emancipated in the death of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 7:1-6

The two unions. The apostle has spoken of freedom from the Law, and of the new reign of grace; but lest this freedom should be disputed, he here establishes it. The Mosaic Law, as such, touches only this present life; death does away with its claims. Christ, therefore, by his death, is freed from its demands; and we, by our spiritual fellowship with him, are likewise free. Free from the old union, to enter on the new. Such is the argument of these verses. I. DEAD TO THE LAW .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 7:1-6

The two marriages of the soul. In the preceding chapter we saw how justification leads of necessity to sanctification. Once we realize that we have died in Jesus for sin, we are spiritually prompted to enter with a risen Saviour into newness of life. We realize our consecration to God. We give up the slavery to sin, and become slaves to God; and our fruit is found unto holiness, and our end everlasting life. The apostle, moreover, has affirmed that" we are not under Law, but under grace" (... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 7:1-17

The position of the Law under the New Testament. The apostle is here continuing his discussion of the immoral suggestion to which he alluded in the previous chapter ( Romans 7:15 ), "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the Law, but under grace?" I. THE RELATION OF THE LAW TO THE CHRISTIAN . 1. he Christian's union with Christ involves his freedom from the Law. 2. But this union with Christ and freedom from the Law do not imply that he is free... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 7:2-4

For (this is an instance of the application of the general principle, adduced as suiting the subject in band) the woman that hath an husband ( ὕπανδρος , implying subjection, meaning properly, that is under an husband ) is bound to her living husband; but if the husband die, she is loosed ( κατήργηται ; cf. Romans 7:6 and Galatians 5:4 . The word expresses the entire abolition of the claim of the husband's law over her) from the law of the husband. So then if,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 7:5

For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins which were through the Law did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death . In the flesh, to which might be opposed in the Spirit (cf. Romans 8:9 ), denotes our state when under the power of sin, before we had risen to a new life in Christ; it is virtually the same as what is meant by being under the Law, as is shown by the opposed expression in Romans 7:6 , κατηργήθημεν ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου . What is signified by "the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 7:6

But now (meaning, as things are, not at the present time, as is shown by the aorist following) we have been (properly, we were ) delivered ( κατηργήθημεν , the same verb as in Romans 7:2 ; see note on that verse) 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 . In the word "serve" ( δουλεύειν ) we observe a resumption of the idea of Romans 6:16 , seq., where we were regarded under... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 7:6

The new spirit of Christian service. What God creates he creates for a purpose. When he gives life, there is a special career before the living creature; thus the fish is for the water, the bird for the air. When he imparts spiritual renewal, it is with a view to a new spiritual life. In re-creating human natures in the likeness of his own Son, God has it, so to speak, in his purpose that they should serve him, and that in "newness of the spirit." I. CHRISTIANS HAVE A NEW LORD ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 7:6

"Newness of spirit." The apostle never tires of contrasting the Sinaitic with the gospel dispensation, to the exaltation of the latter. He thinks of the former as a thraldom. "We were holden," that is, cribbed, confined by the Law. I. AN ESSENTIAL TO DELIVERANCE FROM Law. 1. Death must have intervened. Death is the great liberator, exhausting the penalty of the Law, and giving quittance from its captivity. The wife is released from spousal obligations by the death of... read more

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