Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 7:2

"For the woman that hath a husband is bound by law to the husband while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband." — Romans 7:2 (ASV)

For the woman. This verse is a specific illustration of the general principle found in Romans 7:1: that death dissolves those connections and relations that make law binding in life.

It is a simple illustration. If this simplicity had been kept in mind, it would have averted much of the perplexity felt by many commentators and many of their wild and fanciful notions in attempting to show that "men are the wife, the law the former husband, and Christ the new one," or that "the old man is the wife, sinful desires the husband, and sins the children." (Views from Beza. See also Stuart.)

Such expositions are sufficient to humble us and to make us mourn over the childish and fanciful interpretations that even wise and good people often give to the Bible.

Is bound by the law, etc. See the same sentiment in 1 Corinthians 7:39.

To her husband. She is united to him and is under his authority as the head of the household. To him, the headship of the family is particularly committed, and the wife is subject to his law, in the Lord (Ephesians 5:22–23).

She is loosed, etc. The husband no longer has authority. The connection from which obligation resulted is dissolved.