The Meaning of Romans 7:3 Explained

Romans 7:3

KJV: So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

YLT: so, then, the husband being alive, an adulteress she shall be called if she may become another man's; and if the husband may die, she is free from the law, so as not to be an adulteress, having become another man's.

Darby: so then, the husband being alive, she shall be called an adulteress if she be to another man; but if the husband should die, she is free from the law, so as not to be an adulteress, though she be to another man.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

So then  if,  while [her] husband  liveth,  she be married  to another  man,  she shall be called  an adulteress:  but  if  her husband  be dead,  she is  free  from  that law;  so that she  is  no  adulteress,  though she be married  to another  man. 

What does Romans 7:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Romans 7:1-13 - The Law Makes Sin Known
To make his meaning clear the Apostle now enters upon a parable drawn from domestic life. He says that we are married to the Law as our first husband, and seek, through union with it, to bring forth fruit unto God. Every convert earnestly endeavors, in the first impulse of the new life, to be good and to form, by incessant effort, a life that is pleasing to God. Like Cain we bring the fruit of the ground, extorted from the soil by the sweat of the brow.
But we are soon disappointed in the result. Our laborious care ends in failure. Sinful desires are too masterful. As Luther said, "The old Adam is too strong for the young Melanchthon." Then we see that the Cross has put death between us and our painful effort. We learn that the marriage contract which bound us to our first husband, the Law, has been dissolved. We are set free to enter into marriage union with the blessed Lord, and He, by His indwelling Spirit, effects in us what our own energies have failed to produce. We are joined to Him that was raised up from the dead, and bring forth fruit unto God. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 7

1  No law has power over a man longer than he lives
4  But we are dead to the law
7  Yet is not the law sin;
12  but holy, just and good;
16  as I acknowledge, who am grieved because I cannot keep it

Greek Commentary for Romans 7:3

While the husband liveth [ζωντος του ανδρος]
Genitive absolute of present active participle of ζαω — zaō [source]
She shall be called [χρηματισει]
Future active indicative of χρηματιζω — chrēmatizō old verb, to receive a name as in Acts 11:26, from χρημα — chrēma business, from χραομαι — chraomai to use, then to give an oracle, etc. An adulteress (μοιχαλις — moichalis). Late word, in Plutarch, lxx. See note on Matthew 12:39. If she be joined Third class condition, “if she come to.” So that she is no adulteress (tou mē einai autēn moichalida). It is a fact that εαν γενηται — tou and the infinitive is used for result as we saw in Romans 1:24. Conceived result may explain the idiom here. [source]
An adulteress [μοιχαλις]
Late word, in Plutarch, lxx. See note on Matthew 12:39. [source]
If she be joined [ean genētai)]
Third class condition, “if she come to.” So that she is no adulteress (tou mē einai autēn moichalida). It is a fact that εαν γενηται — tou and the infinitive is used for result as we saw in Romans 1:24. Conceived result may explain the idiom here. [source]
So that she is no adulteress [tou mē einai autēn moichalida)]
It is a fact that εαν γενηται — tou and the infinitive is used for result as we saw in Romans 1:24. Conceived result may explain the idiom here. [source]
She shall be called [χρηματίσει]
See on Acts 11:26. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 7:3

Acts 11:26 Were called Christians [χρηματίσαι Χριστιανούς]
The former of these two words, rendered were called, meant, originally, to transact business, to have dealings with; thence, in the course of business, to give audience to, to answer, from which comes its use to denote the responses of an oracle; a divine advice or warning. See Acts 10:22; and compare Matthew 2:12; Hebrews 11:7. Later, it acquires the meaning to bear a name; tobe called, with the implication of a name used in the ordinary transactions and intercourse of men; the name under which one passes. This process of transition appears in the practice of naming men according to their occupations, as, in English, “John the Smith,” “Philip the Armorer;” a practice which is the origin of many familiar family names, such as Butler, Carpenter, Smith, Cooper. Compare in New Testament Alexander the coppersmith (2 Timothy 4:14); Matthew the publican (Matthew 10:3); Luke the physician (Colossians 4:14); Erastus the chamberlain (Romans 16:23); Rahab the harlot (Hebrews 11:31). In the same line is the use of the word calling, to denote one's business. The meaning of the word in this passage is illustrated by Romans 7:3. The disciples were called. They did not assume the name themselves. It occurs in only three passages in the New Testament: here; Acts 26:28; and 1 Peter 4:16; and only in the last-named passage is used by a Christian of a Christian. The name was evidently not given by the Jews of Antioch, to whom Christ was the interpretation of Messiah, and who wouldn't have bestowed that name on those whom they despised as apostates. The Jews designated the Christians as Nazarenes (Acts 24:5), a term of contempt, because it was a proverb that nothing good could come out of Nazareth (John 1:47), The name was probably not assumed by the disciples themselves; for they were in the habit of styling each other believers, disciples, saints, brethren, those of the way. It, doubtless, was bestowed by the Gentiles. Some suppose that it was applied as a term of ridicule, and cite the witty and sarcastic character of the people of Antioch, and their notoriety for inventing names of derision; but this is doubtful. The name may have been given simply as a distinctive title, naturally chosen from the recognized and avowed devotion of the disciples to Christ as their leader. The Antiochenes mistook the nature of the name, not understanding its use among the disciples as an official title- the Anointed - but-DIVIDER-
using it as apersonal name, which they converted into a party name. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Acts 10:22 Well reported of [marturoumenos)]
Present passive participle as in Acts 6:3. Cf. the other centurion in Luke 7:4. Nation (ethnous). Not laou for the speakers are Gentiles. Was warned First aorist passive of chrēmatizō old word for doing business, then consulting an oracle, and here of being divinely (word God not expressed) warned as in Matthew 2:12, Matthew 2:22; Luke 2:26; Hebrews 11:7. Then to be called or receive a name from one‘s business as in Acts 11:26; Romans 7:3. [source]
Acts 10:22 Was warned [echrēmatisthē)]
First aorist passive of chrēmatizō old word for doing business, then consulting an oracle, and here of being divinely (word God not expressed) warned as in Matthew 2:12, Matthew 2:22; Luke 2:26; Hebrews 11:7. Then to be called or receive a name from one‘s business as in Acts 11:26; Romans 7:3. [source]
Acts 11:26 They were gathered together with the church [συναχτηναι εν τηι εκκλησιαι]
First aorist passive infinitive of συναγω — sunagō old verb, probably here to meet together as in Matthew 28:12. In Acts 14:27 the verb is used of gathering together the church, but here εν τηι εκκλησιαι — en tēi ekklēsiāi excludes that idea. Barnabas met together “in the church” (note first use of the word for the disciples at Antioch). This peculiar phrase accents the leadership and co-operation of Barnabas and Saul in teaching And that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (χρηματισαι τε πρωτως εν Αντιοχειαι τους ματητας Χριστιανους — chrēmatisai te prōtōs en Antiocheiāi tous mathētas Christianous). This first active infinitive χρηματισαι — chrēmatisai is also a subject of εγενετο — egeneto and is added as a separate item by the use of τε — te rather than και — kai For the word itself in the sense of divine command, see note on Matthew 2:12, note on Matthew 2:22; note on Luke 2:26; and note on Acts 10:22. Here and in Romans 7:3 it means to be called or named (assuming a name from one‘s business, χρημα — chrēma from χραομαι — chraomai to use or to do business). Polybius uses it in this sense as here. Τους ματητας — Tous mathētas (the disciples) is in the accusative of general reference with the infinitive. Χριστιανους — Christianous (Christians) is simply predicate accusative. This word is made after the pattern of εροδιανυς — Herodianus (Matthew 22:16, ερωιδιανοι — Herōidianoi followers of Herod), Χαεσαριανυς — Caesarianus a follower of Caesar (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 377, gives papyri examples of the genitive Καισαρος — Kaisaros meaning also “belonging to Caesar” like the common adjective Χαεσαριανυς — Caesarianus). It is made thus like a Latin adjective, though it is a Greek word, and it refers to the Hebrew belief in a Messiah (Page). The name was evidently given to the followers of Christ by the Gentiles to distinguish them from the Jews since they were Greeks, not Grecian Jews. The Jews would not call them Christians because of their own use of Χριστος — Christos the Messiah. The Jews termed them Galileans or Nazarenes. The followers of Christ called themselves disciples (learners), believers, brethren, saints, those of the Way. The three uses of Christian in the N.T. are from the heathen standpoint (here), Acts 26:28 (a term of contempt in the mouth of Agrippa), and 1 Peter 4:16 (persecution from the Roman government). It is a clear distinction from both Jews and Gentiles and it is not strange that it came into use first here in Antioch when the large Greek church gave occasion for it. Later Ignatius was bishop in Antioch and was given to the lions in Rome, and John Chrysostom preached here his wonderful sermons. [source]
Acts 11:26 And that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch [χρηματισαι τε πρωτως εν Αντιοχειαι τους ματητας Χριστιανους]
This first active infinitive χρηματισαι — chrēmatisai is also a subject of εγενετο — egeneto and is added as a separate item by the use of τε — te rather than και — kai For the word itself in the sense of divine command, see note on Matthew 2:12, note on Matthew 2:22; note on Luke 2:26; and note on Acts 10:22. Here and in Romans 7:3 it means to be called or named (assuming a name from one‘s business, χρημα — chrēma from χραομαι — chraomai to use or to do business). Polybius uses it in this sense as here. Τους ματητας — Tous mathētas (the disciples) is in the accusative of general reference with the infinitive. Χριστιανους — Christianous (Christians) is simply predicate accusative. This word is made after the pattern of εροδιανυς — Herodianus (Matthew 22:16, ερωιδιανοι — Herōidianoi followers of Herod), Χαεσαριανυς — Caesarianus a follower of Caesar (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 377, gives papyri examples of the genitive Καισαρος — Kaisaros meaning also “belonging to Caesar” like the common adjective Χαεσαριανυς — Caesarianus). It is made thus like a Latin adjective, though it is a Greek word, and it refers to the Hebrew belief in a Messiah (Page). The name was evidently given to the followers of Christ by the Gentiles to distinguish them from the Jews since they were Greeks, not Grecian Jews. The Jews would not call them Christians because of their own use of Χριστος — Christos the Messiah. The Jews termed them Galileans or Nazarenes. The followers of Christ called themselves disciples (learners), believers, brethren, saints, those of the Way. The three uses of Christian in the N.T. are from the heathen standpoint (here), Acts 26:28 (a term of contempt in the mouth of Agrippa), and 1 Peter 4:16 (persecution from the Roman government). It is a clear distinction from both Jews and Gentiles and it is not strange that it came into use first here in Antioch when the large Greek church gave occasion for it. Later Ignatius was bishop in Antioch and was given to the lions in Rome, and John Chrysostom preached here his wonderful sermons. [source]
Romans 5:18 So then [αρα ουν]
Conclusion of the argument. Cf. Romans 7:3, Romans 7:25; Romans 8:12, etc. Paul resumes the parallel between Adam and Christ begun in Romans 5:12 and interrupted by explanation (Romans 5:13.) and contrast (Romans 5:15-17). [source]
1 Timothy 3:2 The husband of one wife [μιᾶς γυναικὸς ἄνδρα]
Comp. 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:6. Is the injunction aimed (a) at immoralities respecting marriage - concubinage, etc., or (b) at polygamy, or (c) at remarriage after death or divorce? The last is probably meant. Much of the difficulty arises from the assumption that the Pastorals were written by Paul. In that case his views seem to conflict. See Romans 7:2, Romans 7:3; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 1 Corinthians 8:8, 1 Corinthians 8:9, where Paul declares that widows are free to marry again, and puts widows and virgins on the same level; and comp. 1 Timothy 5:9, according to which a widow is to be enrolled only on the condition of having been the wife of but one man. The Pauline view is modified in detail by the writer of the Pastorals. Paul, while asserting that marriage is right and honorable, regards celibacy as the higher state (1 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Corinthians 7:7, 1 Corinthians 7:26, 1 Corinthians 7:34, 1 Corinthians 7:37, 1 Corinthians 7:38). In this the Pastoral writer does not follow him (see 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 3:4, 1 Timothy 3:12; 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 5:10, 1 Timothy 5:14). The motive for marriage, namely, protection against incontinency, which is adduced by Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:2, 1 Corinthians 7:9, is given in 1 Timothy 5:11-14. As in Paul, the married state is honorable, for Bishops, Deacons, and Presbyters are married (1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:6), and the honor of childbearing conferred upon the mother of our Lord is reflected in the Christian woman of later times (1 Timothy 2:15). While Paul advises against second marriages (1 Corinthians 7:8, 1 Corinthians 7:9, 1 Corinthians 7:27, 1 Corinthians 7:39, 1 Corinthians 7:40), in the Pastorals emphasis is laid only on the remarriage of church-officers and church-widows. In the Pastorals we see a reflection of the conditions of the earlier post-apostolic age, when a non-Pauline asceticism was showing itself (see 1 Timothy 4:3, 1 Timothy 4:4, 1 Timothy 4:8; Titus 1:15). The opposition to second marriage became very strong in the latter part of the second century. It was elevated into an article of faith by the Montanists, and was emphasized by Tertullian, and by Athenagoras, who called second marriage “a specious adultery” ( εὐπρεπής μοιχεία )|Vigilant ( νηφάλιον )|Only in the Pastorals. See 1 Timothy 3:11, and Titus 2:2. olxx. The kindred verb νήφειν means to be sober with reference to drink, and, in a metaphorical sense, to be sober and wary; cool and unimpassioned. Thus Epicharmus, νᾶφε καὶ μέμνας ἀπιστεῖν bewary and remember not to be credulous. See on 1 Thessalonians 5:6. In N.T. the meaning of the verb is always metaphorical, to be calm, dispassionate, and circumspect. The A.V. vigilant is too limited. Wise caution may be included; but it is better to render sober, as A.V. in 1 Timothy 3:11and Titus 2:2, in the metaphorical sense as opposed to youthful levity.|Of good behavior ( κόσμιον )|oP. Only here and 1 Timothy 2:9, see note. Rend. orderly.|Given to hospitality ( φιλόξενον )|oP. Comp. Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9. See note on pursuing hospitality, Romans 12:13.|Apt to teach ( διδακτικόν )|oP. Only here and 2 Timothy 2:24. olxx, oClass. In the Pastorals the function of teaching pertains to both Bishops and Elders (see 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:9). It is at this point that the tendency to confound and identify the two reveals itself. Bishops and Presbyters are not identical. Earlier, the teaching function does not seem to have attached to the position of ἐπίσκοπος. The office acquired a different character when it assumed that function, which is not assigned to it in Clement's Epistle to the Corinthians. In the Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (about 100 a.d.) the ministry of teaching is to be assumed by the Bishops only in the absence of the Prophets and Teachers (xiii., xv).| [source]
Hebrews 11:5 That he should not see death [τοῦ μὴ ἰδεῖν θάνατον]
This may signify the purpose of his translation, but probably refers to the result. He was translated so that he did not see death. Comp. Matthew 21:32; Acts 7:19; Romans 7:3. [source]
Hebrews 11:5 Was translated [μετετετη]
First aorist passive indicative of μετατιτημι — metatithēmi old verb to transpose, to change as in Hebrews 7:12; Acts 7:16. That he should not see death Here again του — tou with the infinitive usually expresses purpose, but in this case result is the idea as in Matthew 21:23; Romans 1:24; Romans 7:3, etc. (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1002). He was not found Imperfect passive of ευρισκω — heuriskō from Genesis 5:24. Was still not found. Translated First aorist active of same verb as μετετετη — metetethē just before. Translation Substantive from the same verb μετατιτημι — metatithēmi used already in Hebrews 7:12 for change. See also Hebrews 12:27. Our very word “metathesis.” He hath had witness borne him Perfect passive indicative of μαρτυρεω — martureō stands on record still, “he has been testified to.” That he had been well-pleasing unto God Perfect active infinitive of ευαρεστεω — euaresteō late compound from ευαρεστος — euarestos (well-pleasing), in N.T. only in Hebrews 11:5.; Hebrews 13:16. With dative case τεωι — theōi Quoted here from Genesis 5:22, Genesis 5:24. The word is common of a servant pleasing his master. [source]
James 4:4 Ye adulteresses [μοιχαλιδες]
Μοιχοι και — Moichoi kai (ye adulterers) is spurious (Syrian text only). The feminine form here is a common late word from the masculine μοιχοι — moichoi It is not clear whether the word is to be taken literally here as in Romans 7:3, or figuratively for all unfaithful followers of Christ (like an unfaithful bride), as in 2 Corinthians 11:1.; Ephesians 5:24-28 (the Bride of Christ). Either view makes sense in this context, probably the literal view being more in harmony with the language of James 4:2. In that case James may include more than Christians in his view, though Paul talks plainly to church members about unchastity (Ephesians 5:3-5). [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 7:3 mean?

Then therefore being alive the husband an adulteress she will be called if she is to man another however should die the husband free she is from law [so as for] not to be her an adulteress having been
ἄρα οὖν ζῶντος τοῦ ἀνδρὸς μοιχαλὶς χρηματίσει ἐὰν γένηται ἀνδρὶ ἑτέρῳ δὲ ἀποθάνῃ ἀνήρ ἐλευθέρα ἐστὶν ἀπὸ νόμου τοῦ μὴ εἶναι αὐτὴν μοιχαλίδα γενομένην

ζῶντος  being  alive 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ζάω  
Sense: to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead).
ἀνδρὸς  husband 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἀνήρ  
Sense: with reference to sex.
μοιχαλὶς  an  adulteress 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: μοιχαλίς  
Sense: an adulteress.
χρηματίσει  she  will  be  called 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: χρηματίζω  
Sense: to transact business, esp. to manage public affairs.
γένηται  she  is 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
ἀνδρὶ  to  man 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀνήρ  
Sense: with reference to sex.
ἑτέρῳ  another 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀλλοιόω 
Sense: the other, another, other.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἀποθάνῃ  should  die 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀποθνῄσκω  
Sense: to die.
ἀνήρ  husband 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀνήρ  
Sense: with reference to sex.
ἐλευθέρα  free 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐλεύθερος  
Sense: freeborn.
ἐστὶν  she  is 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
νόμου  law 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: νόμος  
Sense: anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command.
τοῦ  [so  as  for] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
εἶναι  to  be 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
αὐτὴν  her 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
μοιχαλίδα  an  adulteress 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: μοιχαλίς  
Sense: an adulteress.
γενομένην  having  been 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Middle, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.