Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Greek word used here implies that a woman is deliberately labeled an adulteress, suggesting this is a formal, publicly recognized status. This highlights that the "law" being referenced isn't just a casual expectation, but a binding legal or social tie that carries significant consequences.
Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is using the law of marriage to illustrate how believers are freed from the law. He explains that a wife is bound to her husband only as long as he lives; if he dies, she is no longer under that obligation and can remarry without committing adultery. This sets up the argument that Christians, through Christ's death, have also died to the law and are therefore free to be joined to Christ.
What makes an action adultery? It's not just a feeling or a personal choice, but is defined by a binding commitment.
Paul uses the familiar concept of marriage to illustrate a profound spiritual truth. The law states clearly that if a woman is married and then takes another husband, she is considered an adulteress. This isn't about her intentions, but about violating the established legal and social bond of marriage.
The Binding Nature of Marriage
Death ends all earthly ties. How does this seemingly grim reality unlock incredible freedom?
The passage pivots dramatically with the mention of the husband's death. This is the key that dissolves the marriage bond.
The Law's Release Clause
Ask a follow-up
If death breaks earthly ties, what ultimate reality breaks the bond between us and the law, ushering in a new, vibrant union?
Paul uses this marriage analogy to explain our relationship with God and His law. Just as death frees a wife to remarry, Christ's death and resurrection free believers from the law's dominion.
The Believer's New Marriage
Understand the original words
moichalis · Greek Noun
One who violates the marriage covenant through sexual unfaithfulness. In Scripture, it is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual unfaithfulness to God, who is the true husband of His people.
eleutheros · Greek Adjective
The state of being exempt from a previous legal constraint. In the New Testament, it represents the liberty purchased by Christ that releases the believer from the condemnation and mastery of the Law.
Jesus directly addresses the concept of adultery and remarriage, aligning with the legal and moral principles Paul is exploring in Romans 7.
1 Corinthians 7:39This passage explicitly states that a wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives but is free to remarry if he dies, directly echoing the analogy used in Romans 7:3.
Galatians 3:26-28Paul discusses how believers are united with Christ, becoming 'one in Christ Jesus,' which parallels the idea of being freed from an old union (like marriage or the law) to be joined to a new one.
Romans 7:4This verse immediately follows, applying the marriage analogy to believers' relationship with Christ, explaining how they have died to the law to be united with Him.
cambridgeRomans 7:3: "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."
3 . she shall be called ] The Gr. verb indicates a deliberate “calling;” the winning of a title . Same word as Acts 11:26 . that law ] Lit. the law ; i.e. of her husband. married ] Lit., in this ver. and 4, the verb is merely be, or become: if she be [joined…
barnesRomans 7:3: "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."
So then if ... - compare Matthew 5:32 . She shall be called - She will be. The word used here χρηματίσει chrēmatisei is often used to denote being called by an oracle or by divine revelation. But it is here employed in the simple sense of being commonly c…
The Greek word used here implies that a woman is deliberately labeled an adulteress, suggesting this is a formal, publicly recognized status. This highlights that the "law" being referenced isn't just a casual expectation, but a binding legal or social tie that carries significant consequences.
Paul is using the law of marriage to illustrate how believers are freed from the law. He explains that a wife is bound to her husband only as long as he lives; if he dies, she is no longer under that obligation and can remarry without committing adultery. This sets up the argument that Christians, through Christ's death, have also died to the law and are therefore free to be joined to Christ.
Paul is using the law of marriage to illustrate how believers are freed from the law. He explains that a wife is bound to her husband only as long as he lives; if he dies, she is no longer under that obligation and can remarry without committing adultery. This sets up the argument that Christians, through Christ's death, have also died to the law and are therefore free to be joined to Christ.
"Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress." — The Greek word used here implies that a woman is deliberately labeled an adulteress, suggesting this is a formal, publicly recognized status. This highlights that the "law" being referenced isn't j…
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Last reviewed October 2026