Audio Download

The Book of Romans, Part 15 – Married to Another

[Study Aired October 3, 2023]

Rom 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 
Rom 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. 
Rom 7:3 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. 
Rom 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. 
Rom 7:5 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. 
Rom 7:6 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.

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Romans 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

In this verse, Paul addresses his fellow believers in Rome, acknowledging that he is speaking to those who are familiar with the Jewish law. He begins by emphasizing that the law has authority over a person if they are alive. This means that individuals are bound to follow the requirements and regulations of the law of Moses throughout their lives.

Paul states the following. “(for I speak to them that know the law,)”. He is speaking to the “Jews” who know the law of Moses. As Christians, being non-Jews, are we to take what Paul is explaining as doctrine? There are denominations in the Christian assembly that state these messages do not apply to non-Jews. We must understand that Paul’s writings just as the writings of the Old Testament are types and shadows. We are warned to not be “carnally minded” and that “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Rom 8:5-8 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

With this in mind. Who is a Jew? We were told this in Romans 2 and also other verses.

Rom 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it because of the evil of your doings.

Who are the circumcised of the heart?

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

How are we circumcised of the heart?

Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.

We must always keep in mind Paul is teaching the law of Christ which is a spiritual law.

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.

Paul uses a marital analogy here to illustrate his point. Just as a woman is bound by the law of marriage to her husband if he is alive. As carnal believers we were once bound by a law. The law of “another Jesus”. However, if the husband (another Jesus) dies, the woman (bride of Christ) is freed from that marital obligation.

Romans 7:3 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.

Continuing the analogy, Paul explains that if a married woman marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is considered an adulteress because she is violating the marital covenant. However, if her husband dies, she is no longer bound by the law of marriage and can marry another man without being labeled an adulteress.

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.

In this verse, Paul draws a spiritual parallel. He tells us that, through the death of Christ (His sinful flesh), we have been released from the bondage of the Mosaic law (carnal commandments). This freedom allows us to be joined to Christ, who was raised from the dead. The purpose of this union is to bear fruit for God, which refers to living a righteous and godly life.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Joh 15:1-8 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Romans 7:5-6 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. 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.

Paul explains that when we were living according to the flesh and under the law, sinful desires were aroused by the law’s restrictions, leading to sinful actions that ultimately resulted in spiritual death. However, through faith in Christ, and presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice we have been released from the law’s hold, enabling us to serve God with renewed minds and a focus on the spiritual intent of the law rather than merely obeying its letter.

Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

In summary, this passage from Romans 7 explores the freedom found in Christ. We have been released from the carnal law by dying to the flesh. Paul uses the analogy of marriage and the death of a spouse to illustrate how we are freed from the law’s dominion through our union with Christ, enabling us to live a life that brings forth fruit for God.

1Co 15:26-34 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? And why are they then baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.