Romans 7:4

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“Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that you should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”

Does this verse say that the law is dead—no longer in effect? This scripture trips up many people. It is helpful to recognize that the passage is actually an extension of the first three verses, covered in the previous explanation.

The point being made by Paul is that people become dead to the law—it is not the law that becomes dead. How does this happen? Notice Romans 6:2, 7 and 23 for illustration and comparison. These verses reveal that people, once converted, become dead to sin, and Rom 6:7 shows that “he that is dead is freed from sin.” Rom 6:23 shows that this means freed from the penalty of sin—death!

Let’s now apply this to Rom 7:4. Notice that it refers to “brethren.” Again, it must mean that the Roman brethren were dead to the penalty of the law, because brethren are converted, sanctified people! Rom 6:6 shows that Christians are delivered from the law—its penalty—and have been freed from death. So, Rom 6:7 concludes that the law is not sin, rather it shows people what sin is—the law points out sin.

This becomes the answer to those who read Rom 6:6 and say, “God has delivered us from keeping that horrible law.”