A.T. Robertson Commentary Romans 7
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Romans 7
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Romans 7
"Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law hath dominion over a man for so long time as he liveth?" — Romans 7:1 (ASV)
To men that know the law (γινωσκουσιν νομον). Dative plural of present active participle of γινωσκω. The Romans, whether Jews or Gentiles, knew the principle of law.
A man (του ανθρωπου). "The person," generic term ανθρωπος, not ανηρ.
"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)
The wife that hath a husband (η υπανδρος γυνη). Late word, under (in subjection to) a husband. Here only in N.T.
Is bound (δεδετα). Perfect passive indicative, stands bound.
By law (νομω). Instrumental case.
To the husband while he liveth (τω ζωντ ανδρ). "To the living husband," literally.
But if the husband die (εαν δε αποθανη ο ανηρ). Third class condition, a supposable case (εαν and the second aorist active subjunctive).
She is discharged (κατηργητα). Perfect passive indicative of καταργεω, to make void. She stands free from the law of the husband. Cf. 6:6.
"So then if, while the husband liveth, she be joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if the husband die, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she be joined to another man." — Romans 7:3 (ASV)
While the husband liveth (ζωντος του ανδρος). Genitive absolute of present active participle of ζαω.
She shall be called (χρηματισε). Future active indicative of χρηματιζω, old verb, to receive a name as in Ac 11:26, from χρημα, business, from χραομα, to use, then to give an oracle, etc.
An adulteress (μοιχαλις). Late word, in Plutarch, LXX. See on Mt 12:39.
If she be joined (εαν γενητα). Third class condition, "if she come to."
So that she is no adulteress (του μη εινα αυτην μοιχαλιδα). It is a fact that του and the infinitive is used for result as we saw in 1:24. Conceived result may explain the idiom here.
"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, [even] to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God." — Romans 7:4 (ASV)
Ye also were made to the law (κα υμεις εθανατωθητε). First aorist indicative passive of θανατοω, old verb, to put to death (Matthew 10:21) or to make to die (extinct) as here and Ro 8:13. The analogy calls for the death of the law, but Paul refuses to say that. He changes the structure and makes them dead to the law as the husband (6:3-6). The relation of marriage is killed "through the body of Christ" as the "propitiation" (3:25) for us. Cf. Colossians 1:22.
That we should be joined to another (εις το γενεσθα ετερω). Purpose clause with εις το and the infinitive. First mention of the saints as wedded to Christ as their Husband occurs in 1 Corinthians 6:13; Galatians 4:26. See further Eph 5:22-33.
That we might bring forth fruit unto God (ινα καρποφορησωμεν τω θεω). He changes the metaphor to that of the tree used in 6:22.
"For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto death." — Romans 7:5 (ASV)
In the flesh (εν τη σαρκ). Same sense as in 6:19 and 7:18,25. The "flesh" is not inherently sinful, but is subject to sin. It is what Paul means by being "under the law." He uses σαρξ in a good many senses.
Sinful passions (τα παθηματα των αμαρτιων). "Passions of sins" or marked by sins.
Wrought (ενεργειτο). Imperfect middle of ενεργεω, "were active."
To bring forth fruit unto death (εις το καρποφορησα τω θανατω). Purpose clause again. Vivid picture of the seeds of sin working for death.
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