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Romans 7:3

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 7:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Romans 7:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law hath dominion over a man for so long time as he liveth?
2For the woman that hath a husband is bound by law to the husband while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband.
3So 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.
4Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, [even] to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God.
5For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that wherein we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.
← Romans 7:2Romans 7:4 →
← Full Chapter 7 Romans Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“So then if while her husband liveth, etc..] True indeed it is, that whilst her husband is alive, if she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; she will be noted and accounted of as such everybody, except in the above mentioned cases: but if her husband be dead; then there can be no exception to her marriage: she is free from the law; of marriage, by which she was before bound: so that she is no adulteress; nor will any reckon her such; she is clear from any such imputation: though she be married to another man; hence it appears that second marriages are lawful.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“she be married--"joined." So Rom 7:4.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 called, or of being so regarded. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“So then: Exo 20:14; Lev 20:10; Num. 5:13-31; Deu 22:22-24; Mat 5:32; Mar 10:6-12; Joh 8:3-5 though: Rut 2:13; Sa1 25:39-42; Ti1 5:11-14 Romans 7:4”
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Related study paths

Read Romans 7 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification