Romans 7:2 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul illustrates his principle with marriage: a wife is bound to her husband by law only while he lives.
What Does Romans 7:2 Mean?
To make the principle concrete, Paul reaches for the marriage bond, an image his hearers would grasp at once. A wife is held to her husband by law for as long as he lives. The illustration is not yet the lesson; it is the picture that will carry the lesson.
The accent falls on the word loosed. When death comes, the binding obligation simply ends, with no fault to anyone. Paul is teaching that endings in death are not betrayals but releases. He will soon turn this everyday truth toward the believer's freedom, where a death has already opened the way to a new and rightful belonging.
Romans 7:2 in the Original Language
dedetai (δέδεται), 'is bound' -- to be tied or fastened, in a perfect tense marking a settled, ongoing bond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 7:2
What does Romans 7:2 mean?
Paul illustrates his principle with marriage: a wife is bound to her husband by law only while he lives.