King James Version

What Does Romans 7:4 Mean?

Romans 7:4 in the King James Version says “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, ...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 7:4 · King James Version

Context

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.

3

So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

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.

5

For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. motions: Gr. passions

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. that being: or, being dead to that

Read Romans 7 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ—Ethanatōthēte (ἐθανατώθητε, "were put to death") is aorist passive, indicating a completed action done to believers. Through union with Christ's crucified body (dia tou sōmatos tou Christou), believers died to law's jurisdiction. This isn't gradual sanctification but positional identification with Christ's death (Galatians 2:20).

That ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead—The purpose clause (eis to) shows the goal: union with the resurrected Christ. Death to law precedes life in Christ. That we should bring forth fruit unto God—Karpophoreō (καρποφορέω, "bear fruit") contrasts with bearing "fruit unto death" (v. 5). Union with the risen Christ produces life-giving works, impossible under law's condemning ministry.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul wrote to believers struggling with the relationship between Jewish law and Christian faith. His argument—that Christ's death dissolved the law's condemning jurisdiction—was revolutionary. This wasn't antinomianism (lawlessness) but explanation of the new covenant's superior ability to produce genuine godliness through Spirit-empowerment rather than external legal compulsion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing your death to the law 'by the body of Christ' change how you approach obedience and holiness?
  2. What 'fruit' in your life might still be works-righteousness (law-produced) rather than Spirit-produced fruit from union with Christ?
  3. In what ways does understanding this sequential pattern (death to law, then marriage to Christ) help you rest in positional rather than performance-based acceptance?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ὥστε1 of 26

“Wherefore”

G5620

so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)

ἀδελφοί2 of 26

“brethren”

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

μου3 of 26

“my”

G3450

of me

καὶ4 of 26

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὑμεῖς5 of 26

“ye”

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ἐθανατώθητε6 of 26

“are become dead”

G2289

to kill

τῷ7 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμῳ8 of 26

“to the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

διὰ9 of 26

“by”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦ10 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σώματος11 of 26

“the body”

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

τοῦ12 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Χριστοῦ13 of 26

“of Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

εἰς14 of 26

“that”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ15 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γενέσθαι16 of 26

“should be married”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ὑμᾶς17 of 26

“ye”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἑτέρῳ18 of 26

“to another”

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

τῷ19 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐκ20 of 26

“from”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

νεκρῶν21 of 26

“the dead”

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

ἐγερθέντι22 of 26

“even to him who is raised”

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

ἵνα23 of 26

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

καρποφορήσωμεν24 of 26

“we should bring forth fruit”

G2592

to be fertile (literally or figuratively)

τῷ25 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεῷ26 of 26

“unto God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 7:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 7:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Peter 2:24Galatians 5:22-23Isaiah 54:5Romans 8:2Ephesians 5:23-27Romans 7:6

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Romans 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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