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To men that know the law (γινωσκουσιν νομον). Dative plural of present active participle of γινωσκω. The Romans, whether Jews or Gentiles, knew the principle of law. A man (του ανθρωπου). "The person," generic term ανθρωπος, not ανηρ.

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The wife that hath a husband (η υπανδρος γυνη). Late word, under (in subjection to) a husband. Here only in N.T. Is bound (δεδετα). Perfect passive indicative, stands bound. By law (νομω). Instrumental case. To the husband while he liveth (τω ζωντ ανδρ). "To the living husband," literally. But if the husband die (εαν δε αποθανη ο ανηρ). Third class condition, a supposable case (εαν and the second aorist active subjunctive). She is discharged (κατηργητα). Perfect passive indicative of καταργεω, to make void. She stands free from the law of the husband. Cf. Romans 6:6.

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While the husband liveth (ζωντος του ανδρος). Genitive absolute of present active participle of ζαω. She shall be called (χρηματισε). Future active indicative of χρηματιζω, old verb, to receive a name as in Acts 11:26, from χρημα, business, from χραομα, to use, then to give an oracle, etc. An adulteress (μοιχαλις). Late word, in Plutarch, LXX. See on Matthew 12:39. If she be joined (εαν γενητα). Third class condition, "if she come to." So that she is no adulteress (του μη εινα αυτην μοιχαλιδα). It is a fact that του and the infinitive is used for result as we saw in Romans 1:24. Conceived result may explain the idiom here.

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Ye also were made to the law (κα υμεις εθανατωθητε). First aorist indicative passive of θανατοω, old verb, to put to death (Matthew 10:21) or to make to die (extinct) as here and Romans 8:13. The analogy calls for the death of the law, but Paul refuses to say that. He changes the structure and makes them dead to the law as the husband (Romans 6:3-6). The relation of marriage is killed "through the body of Christ" as the "propitiation" (Romans 3:25) for us. Cf. Colossians 1:22. That we should be joined to another (εις το γενεσθα ετερω). Purpose clause with εις το and the infinitive. First mention of the saints as wedded to Christ as their Husband occurs in 1 Corinthians 6:13; Galatians 4:26. See further Ephesians 5:22-33. That we might bring forth fruit unto God (ινα καρποφορησωμεν τω θεω). He changes the metaphor to that of the tree used in Romans 6:22.

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In the flesh (εν τη σαρκ). Same sense as in Romans 6:19 and Romans 7:18; Romans 7:25. The "flesh" is not inherently sinful, but is subject to sin. It is what Paul means by being "under the law." He uses σαρξ in a good many senses. Sinful passions (τα παθηματα των αμαρτιων). "Passions of sins" or marked by sins. Wrought (ενεργειτο). Imperfect middle of ενεργεω, "were active." To bring forth fruit unto death (εις το καρποφορησα τω θανατω). Purpose clause again. Vivid picture of the seeds of sin working for death.

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But now (νυν δε). In the new condition. Wherein we were holden (εν ω κατειχομεθα). Imperfect passive of κατεχω, picture of our former state (same verb in Romans 1:18). In newness of spirit (εν καινοτητ πνευματος). The death to the letter of the law (the old husband) has set us free to the new life in Christ. So Paul has shown again the obligation on us to live for Christ.

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Is the law sin? (ο νομος αμαρτια?). A pertinent query in view of what he had said. Some people today oppose all inhibitions and prohibitions because they stimulate violations. That is half-baked thinking. I had not known sin (την αμαρτιαν ουκ εγνων). Second aorist indicative of γινωσκω, to know. It is a conclusion of a second class condition, determined as unfulfilled. Usually αν is used in the conclusion to make it plain that it is second class condition instead of first class, but occasionally it is not employed when it is plain enough without as here (John 16:22; John 16:24). See on Galatians 4:15. So as to I had not known coveting (lust), επιθυμιαν ουκ ηιδειν. But all the same the law is not itself sin nor the cause of sin. Men with their sinful natures turn law into an occasion for sinful acts.

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Finding occasion (αφορμην λαβουσα). See 2 Corinthians 5:12; 2 Corinthians 11:12; Galatians 5:13 for αφορμην, a starting place from which to rush into acts of sin, excuses for doing what they want to do. Just so drinking men use the prohibition laws as "occasions" for violating them. Wrought in me (κατειργασατο εν εμο). First aorist active middle indicative of the intensive verb κατεργαζομα, to work out (to the finish), effective aorist. The command not to lust made me lust more. Dead (νεκρα). Inactive, not non-existent. Sin in reality was there in a dormant state.

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