Romans 7:6 - But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.
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What does "Romans 7:6" mean?
Romans 7:6 is a powerful statement about the Christian's relationship with the Law of Moses. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"But now we have been discharged from the law..." This indicates a shift. Paul is contrasting the Christian's current state with a previous one. "Discharged" suggests being released or freed from an obligation or constraint.
"...having died to that in which we were held..." This is the key to the release. Paul uses the metaphor of death. Believers have "died" in relation to the law. This doesn't mean literal death, but a decisive break with the law's condemning power. We were "held" captive by the law, bound by its demands and condemned by its failures (because no one can perfectly keep it). Through our union with Christ (especially in his death and resurrection), we are now dead to that old way of being held. Think of it like a marriage: death dissolves the legal obligations of the marriage covenant.
"...so that we serve in newness of the spirit..." This is the positive consequence of being freed from the law. We don't just become lawless; we are now empowered to serve God in a new way. This new way is "in newness of the Spirit," meaning guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Our motivation and ability to obey come from within, through the indwelling Spirit.
"...and not in oldness of the letter." This contrasts the new way with the old. "Oldness of the letter" refers to serving God through adherence to the literal commands of the law, without the Spirit's power. It's about external conformity without internal transformation. It's about trying to earn God's favor through works, rather than receiving it as a gift.
In Summary:
Romans 7:6 teaches that through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are no longer bound by the Law of Moses in the way they once were. We are no longer under its condemnation because we have "died" to it in Christ. This doesn't mean the law is irrelevant (Paul often quotes and refers to it), but it means our relationship to it has changed.
Instead of trying to earn God's favor by meticulously following the law's commands (which is impossible for flawed humans), we are now empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that pleases God. Obedience flows from a transformed heart, motivated by love and gratitude, and enabled by the Spirit's presence. It's not about legalistic adherence to rules, but about a living, dynamic relationship with God, guided by His Spirit.
Key Implications:
Freedom from legalism: Christians are not meant to live under a burden of trying to perfectly obey a set of rules.
The role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is essential for Christian living. He empowers us to live lives that please God.
Motivation of love: Our obedience should be motivated by love for God, not fear of punishment.
New Covenant: This verse points to the new covenant established through Jesus, which emphasizes inward transformation over outward conformity.
This verse is a cornerstone of understanding Christian freedom and the role of grace in our relationship with God.
Romans 7:6 - But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.
What does "Romans 7:6" mean?
Romans 7:6 is a powerful statement about the Christian's relationship with the Law of Moses. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"But now we have been discharged from the law..." This indicates a shift. Paul is contrasting the Christian's current state with a previous one. "Discharged" suggests being released or freed from an obligation or constraint.
"...having died to that in which we were held..." This is the key to the release. Paul uses the metaphor of death. Believers have "died" in relation to the law. This doesn't mean literal death, but a decisive break with the law's condemning power. We were "held" captive by the law, bound by its demands and condemned by its failures (because no one can perfectly keep it). Through our union with Christ (especially in his death and resurrection), we are now dead to that old way of being held. Think of it like a marriage: death dissolves the legal obligations of the marriage covenant.
"...so that we serve in newness of the spirit..." This is the positive consequence of being freed from the law. We don't just become lawless; we are now empowered to serve God in a new way. This new way is "in newness of the Spirit," meaning guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Our motivation and ability to obey come from within, through the indwelling Spirit.
"...and not in oldness of the letter." This contrasts the new way with the old. "Oldness of the letter" refers to serving God through adherence to the literal commands of the law, without the Spirit's power. It's about external conformity without internal transformation. It's about trying to earn God's favor through works, rather than receiving it as a gift.
In Summary:
Romans 7:6 teaches that through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are no longer bound by the Law of Moses in the way they once were. We are no longer under its condemnation because we have "died" to it in Christ. This doesn't mean the law is irrelevant (Paul often quotes and refers to it), but it means our relationship to it has changed.
Instead of trying to earn God's favor by meticulously following the law's commands (which is impossible for flawed humans), we are now empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that pleases God. Obedience flows from a transformed heart, motivated by love and gratitude, and enabled by the Spirit's presence. It's not about legalistic adherence to rules, but about a living, dynamic relationship with God, guided by His Spirit.
Key Implications:
Freedom from legalism: Christians are not meant to live under a burden of trying to perfectly obey a set of rules.
The role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is essential for Christian living. He empowers us to live lives that please God.
Motivation of love: Our obedience should be motivated by love for God, not fear of punishment.
New Covenant: This verse points to the new covenant established through Jesus, which emphasizes inward transformation over outward conformity.
This verse is a cornerstone of understanding Christian freedom and the role of grace in our relationship with God.