Romans 7:1-4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 7:1-6

Among other arguments used in the foregoing chapter to persuade us against sin, and to holiness, this was one (Rom. 6:14), that we are not under the law; and this argument is here further insisted upon and explained (Rom. 7:6): We are delivered from the law. What is meant by this? And how is it an argument why sin should not reign over us, and why we should walk in newness of life? 1. We are delivered from the power of the law which curses and condemns us for the sin committed by us. The... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 7:1-6

7:1-6 You are bound to know, brothers--for I speak to men who know what law means--that the law has authority over a man only for the duration of his life. Thus, a married woman remains bound by law to her husband as long as he is alive; but, if her husband dies, she is completely discharged from the law concerning her husband. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she marries another man while her husband is still alive; but, if her husband dies, she is free from the law, and she... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:1

Know ye not, brethren ,.... The apostle having asserted, Romans 6:14 , that the believing Romans were "not under the law"; which he knew would be displeasing to many, and excepted to by them, especially the Jews that were among them, who though they believed in Christ, yet were zealous of the law, takes it up again, and explains and defends it. That they were the Jewish converts at Rome he here particularly addresses, appears partly from his calling them "brethren", for they were so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:2

For the woman which hath an husband ,.... The former general rule is here illustrated by a particular instance and example in the law of marriage; a woman that is married to a man, is bound by the law to her husband ; to live with him, in subjection and obedience to him, so long as he liveth ; except in the cases of adultery, Matthew 19:9 , and desertion, 1 Corinthians 7:15 , by which the bond of marriage is loosed, and for which a divorce or separation may be made, which are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:3

So then if while her husband liveth ,.... True indeed it is, that whilst her husband is alive, if she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress ; she will be noted and accounted of as such everybody, except in the above mentioned cases: but if her husband be dead ; then there can be no exception to her marriage: she is free from the law ; of marriage, by which she was before bound: so that she is no adulteress ; nor will any reckon her such; she is clear... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:4

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also ,.... Here the apostle accommodates the foregoing instance and example to the case in hand, showing, that the saints were not under the law, the power and dominion of it; since that, as when a man is dead, the woman is loosed from that law by which she was bound whilst he lived, that she may lawfully marry another man, and bear children to him without the imputation of adultery; so believers being dead to the law, and the law dead to them, which is all one,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:1

For I speak to them that know the law - This is a proof that the apostle directs this part of his discourse to the Jews. As long as he liveth? - Or, as long as It liveth; law does not extend its influence to the dead, nor do abrogated laws bind. It is all the same whether we understand these words as speaking of a law abrogated, so that it cannot command; or of its objects being dead, so that it has none to bind. In either case the law has no force. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:2

For the woman which hath a husband - The apostle illustrates his meaning by a familiar instance. A married woman is bound to her husband while he lives; but when her husband is dead she is discharged from the law by which she was bound to him alone. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:3

So then, if, while her husband liveth - The object of the apostle's similitude is to show that each party is equally bound to the other; but that the death of either dissolves the engagement. So - she is no adulteress, though she be married to another - And do not imagine that this change would argue any disloyalty in you to your Maker; for, as he has determined that this law of ordinances shall cease, you are no more bound to it than a woman is to a deceased husband, and are as free to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:4

Wherefore, my brethren - This is a parallel case. You were once under the law of Moses, and were bound by its injunctions; but now ye are become dead to that law - a modest, inoffensive mode of speech, for, The law, which was once your husband, is dead; God has determined that it shall be no longer in force; so that now, as a woman whose husband is dead is freed from the law of that husband, or from her conjugal vow, and may legally be married to another, so God, who gave the law under which... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 7:1-6

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 7:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 7:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 7:4

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