Romans 7:2
For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὕπανδρος
which hath an husband
G5220
ὕπανδρος
which hath an husband
Strong's:
G5220
Word #:
3 of 20
in subjection under a man, i.e., a married woman
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δέδεται
is bound
G1210
δέδεται
is bound
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
8 of 20
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
νόμου
by the law
G3551
νόμου
by the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
9 of 20
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
10 of 20
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατήργηται
she is loosed
G2673
κατήργηται
she is loosed
Strong's:
G2673
Word #:
15 of 20
to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
16 of 20
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμου
by the law
G3551
νόμου
by the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
18 of 20
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:39The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.1 Corinthians 7:4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
Historical Context
Roman marriage law, like Jewish law, recognized death as the definitive termination of marital obligations. Both cultures understood that remarriage after a spouse's death involved no legal or moral impropriety. Paul uses this universal legal principle to explain the radical transition from law to grace accomplished through believers' union with Christ's death.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that death—not law modification—brings freedom change your understanding of your relationship to God's commands?
- What aspects of 'law-marriage' might you unconsciously treat as still binding despite your union with Christ in His death?
- How does this analogy help you understand the finality of Christ's work in liberating you from law-condemnation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law—The verb deō (δέω, "bind") describes legal obligation, used throughout Scripture for binding oaths and covenants. Paul illustrates v. 1's principle with marriage law, universally understood across cultures. So long as he liveth establishes the temporal limitation of legal jurisdiction.
But if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband—The verb katargeō (καταργέω, "loosed/released") means to nullify, abolish, or render inoperative. This same verb describes believers being "delivered from the law" (v. 6). Death doesn't modify the law; it removes the person from the law's jurisdiction. The woman isn't less married; she's no longer under marriage's binding authority because death dissolved the relationship. This parallels how Christ's death dissolved believers' relationship to law-condemnation.