Romans 7:4 – “So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”

Extended Explanation

Paul is making a key point here: believers in Christ have “died to the law.” He has been using the illustration of marriage to explain this—just as a woman is free to remarry when her husband dies, Christians are free from the law because they have “died” with Christ.

Before knowing Jesus, people were bound to the Old Testament Law, which exposed sin but couldn’t save anyone. The law was like a strict teacher, showing people their failures but never offering a solution. However, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, believers are no longer under the law’s authority. Instead, they now “belong to another”—Jesus Christ.

This isn’t just about freedom from rules; it’s about a new purpose. The goal is not just to be released from the law but to “bear fruit for God.” That means living in a way that reflects God’s character, loving others, and growing spiritually—not through personal effort alone, but by the power of Christ in us.

Historical Context

Paul was writing to a mix of Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome. Many Jewish believers still felt tied to the Mosaic Law, struggling to understand their new relationship with God. For centuries, Israel had been taught that following the law was the path to righteousness. But now, Paul was telling them that through Christ, they had “died” to the law and were under a new way of living.

In Jewish culture, a woman could not remarry while her husband was alive—this was considered adultery (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). Likewise, many Jews believed they still had to “stay married” to the law even after trusting in Christ. Paul was correcting this misunderstanding. He was making it clear: their old bond to the law was broken because they had died to it through Christ.

For Gentiles, who had lived under different legal systems, this concept still made sense. Roman law also bound people to legal contracts, but death ended those obligations. The message was clear for all: Christ’s death changed everything.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches an important truth—believers in Jesus are no longer under the law’s rule. Instead, they are united with Christ.

• Dying to the Law: The law’s purpose was to show people their sin (Romans 3:20), but it could never save them. When Jesus died, those who trust in Him spiritually “died” with Him, meaning they are no longer under the law’s demands.
• Belonging to Christ: This is about relationship, not religion. Instead of living under a system of rules, believers now live in a personal relationship with Jesus.
• Bearing Fruit for God: True righteousness comes not from following rules but from a transformed heart. When believers abide in Christ, they naturally produce good fruit—love, kindness, and obedience to God, not out of obligation but out of love.

This means Christianity is not about keeping score with God. It’s about belonging to Him and letting His Spirit work in and through us.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s language here is personal and relational. He calls his readers “brothers and sisters,” showing his affection and emphasizing that this truth applies to all believers.

The phrase “died to the law through the body of Christ” is key. Paul is saying that Christ’s physical death had real consequences for believers. It wasn’t just symbolic—His death changed their spiritual standing before God.

The phrase “that you might belong to another” highlights the shift from law-based living to relationship-based faith. The contrast is clear: before, people were “married” to the law, but now they are united with Christ, who was raised from the dead.

The final phrase, “in order that we might bear fruit for God,” introduces the purpose of this new life. Freedom from the law isn’t an excuse to live carelessly; it’s an opportunity to live fruitfully.

Biblical Cross-References

• Romans 6:6-7 – “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.”
• Romans 7:6 – “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.”
• Galatians 2:19-20 – “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
• John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Many people today still struggle with legalism—trying to earn God’s approval by keeping rules. This verse reminds us that righteousness isn’t about following laws; it’s about belonging to Christ.

It also reminds believers that salvation isn’t just about being saved from sin but about being saved for something—to bear fruit for God. This means growing in love, obedience, and good works—not because we have to, but because we are now spiritually alive in Christ.

This verse also challenges Christians to consider where they are placing their identity. Are they still trying to live under the old system of rules and guilt, or are they fully embracing the new life they have in Jesus?

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the way He provides freedom from the law’s demands. He never intended for people to carry the burden of trying to earn His love. Instead, He sent Jesus to set them free.

This verse also shows God’s desire for relationship. Instead of leaving people bound by rules, He brings them into a personal relationship with Jesus, where they can grow and thrive.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is at the center of this verse. Without His death and resurrection, believers would still be under the law’s rule. But because He died and rose again, they have been set free and now belong to Him.

• Romans 8:1-2 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
• Colossians 2:14 – “Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”
• Hebrews 8:6 – “But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.”

Jesus is the one who makes this freedom possible. He fulfilled the law, took its penalty on Himself, and now invites believers to walk in grace, bearing fruit through Him.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does it mean to “die to the law”? How does this change your relationship with God?
2. Are there areas in your life where you still feel trapped by rules or religious expectations? How does this verse challenge that mindset?
3. What does it mean to “belong to Christ”? How does that impact the way you live?
4. In what ways are you bearing fruit for God? How can you grow in this?
5. How does understanding your freedom in Christ lead to greater joy and spiritual growth?

This passage is a powerful reminder that through Jesus, believers are no longer bound to the law. They are now free to live in relationship with Him, bearing fruit through His grace and power.