ROM 7:6 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) but now that we’re released from the law which held us—released by dying to it—we can serve in new ways guided by the spirit instead of by the letter of the law.

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT But now we have been released from the law, having died to that by which we were being held, so that we might serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

UST But now that we trust in Jesus, God cancels what his laws require us to do. The laws God gave the Jews no longer control us as if we were prisoners. As a result, we now serve God in the new way that comes from the Holy Spirit. We no longer serve God in the old way that the written rules God gave the Jews require.

BLB But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that which we were bound, in order for us to serve in newness of the Spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.

AICNT But now we have been released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

OEB But now we are set free from the Law, because we are dead to that which once kept us under restraint; and so we serve under new, spiritual conditions, and not under old, written regulations.

WEBBE 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.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET But now we have been released from the law, because we have died to what controlled us, so that we may serve in the new life of the Spirit and not under the old written code.

LSV and now we have ceased from the Law, that being dead in which we were held, so that we may serve in newness of spirit, and not in oldness of letter.

FBV But now we've been set free from the law, and have died to what kept us in chains, so that we can serve in the newness of the spirit and not the old letter of the law.

TCNT But now we have been released from the [fn]law, having died to that by which we were held, so that we may serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

7:6 law, having died to that by which we were held ¦ law since that by which we were held has died SCR

T4T But now we are freed {free} from having to obey all the Jewish rituals— it is as though we have died. The result is that now we are not controlled by those rituals {those rituals do not control us now}. So we serve God, not by having to obey those rituals, which is the old way, but in the new way, as God’s Spirit helps us to serve him.

LEB But now we have been released from the law, because we[fn] have died to that by which we were bound, so that we may serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter of the law.

7:6 *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“have died”) which is understood as causal

BBE But now we are free from the law, having been made dead to that which had power over us; so that we are servants in the new way of the spirit, not in the old way of the letter.

Moff but now we are done with the Law, we have died to what once held us, so that we can serve in a new way, not under the written code as of old but in the Spirit.

Wymth But seeing that we have died to that which once held us in bondage, the Law has now no hold over us, so that we render a service which, instead of being old and formal, is new and spiritual.

ASV But 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.

DRA But now we are loosed from the law of death, wherein we were detained; so that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

YLT and now we have ceased from the law, that being dead in which we were held, so that we may serve in newness of spirit, and not in oldness of letter.

Drby but now we are clear from the law, having died in that in which we were held, so that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in oldness of letter.

RV But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that wherein we were holden; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.
(But 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. )

SLT And now we were left inactive from the law, having died in what we were held; so that we serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Wbstr But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead by which we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

KJB-1769 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

KJB-1611 But now wee are deliuered from the law, [fn]that being dead wherein we were held, that we should serue in newnesse of spirit, and not in the oldnesse of the letter.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

7:6 Or, being dead to that.

Bshps But nowe are we delyuered from the lawe, and dead vnto it whervnto we were in bondage, that we shoulde serue in newenesse of spirite, and not in the oldnesse of the letter.
(But now are we delivered from the law, and dead unto it whereunto we were in bondage, that we should serve in neweness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.)

Gnva But now we are deliuered from the Lawe, he being dead in whom we were holden, that we should serue in newnesse of Spirite, and not in the oldnesse of the letter.
(But now we are delivered from the Law, he being dead in whom we were held, that we should serve in newness of Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. )

Cvdl But now are we lowsed from the lawe, and deed vnto it, that helde vs captyue, so that we shulde serue in a new conuersacion of the sprete, and not in the olde conuersacion of the letter.
(But now are we lowsed from the law, and deed unto it, that held us captive, so that we should serve in a new conversacion of the spirit, and not in the old conversacion of the letter.)

TNT But now are we delivered from the lawe and deed from that whervnto we werein bondage that we shuld serve in a newe conversacion of the sprete and not in the olde conversacion of the letter.
(But now are we delivered from the law and deed from that whereunto we werein bondage that we should serve in a new conversacion of the spirit and not in the old conversacion of the letter. )

Wycl But now we ben vnboundun fro the lawe of deth, in which we weren holdun, so that we seruen in newnesse of spirit, and not in eldnesse of lettre.
(But now we been unboundun from the law of death, in which we were held, so that we seruen in newness of spirit, and not in eldness of lettre.)

Luth Nun aber sind wir vom Gesetz los und ihm abgestorben, das uns gefangenhielt, also daß wir dienen sollen im neuen Wesen des Geistes und nicht im alten Wesen des Buchstabens.
(Now but are we/us from_the law go/loose/off and him abgestorben, the us/to_us/ourselves caughthielt, also that we/us serve/be_of_service should in_the new beings the spirit and not in_the old beings the letterss.)

ClVg Nunc autem soluti sumus a lege mortis, in qua detinebamur, ita ut serviamus in novitate spiritus, et non in vetustate litteræ.[fn]
(now however loose we_are from lawfully of_death, in/into/on which detinebamur, so/thus as serviamus in/into/on he_knowsate spirit, and not/no in/into/on old_age letters. )

7.6 Nunc autem, etc. AUG. In præcedenti similitudine tria sunt: vir, etc., usque ad quod eum non vincant. A lege mortis. Aucta est enim concupiscentia cum lex prohiberet ubi non erat fides, et ad cumulum peccatorum, prævaricationis crimen adjectum est; quia ubi non est lex, nec prævaricatio. In novitate spiritus. Operibus novi hominis, quæ non nostris viribus vel lege attingimus, sed gratia, scilicet spiritus in quibus sic est immorandum, ut nihil addatur de legis operibus, quæ vetusta sunt.

7.6 now however, etc. AUG. In they_will_precedei likeness three are: man, etc., until to that him not/no vincant. From lawfully of_death. Aucta it_is because desire when/with the_law to_prohibitt where not/no was faith, and to cumulum of_sins/sinners, transgressedonis crime adyectum it_is; because where not/no it_is the_law, but_not transgressedo. In he_knowsate spirit. Operibus new of_man, which not/no ours with_strength or lawfully attingimus, but grace, namely spirit in/into/on to_whom so it_is immorandum, as nothing be_added from/about law works, which old/agedta are.

UGNT νυνὶ δὲ κατηργήθημεν ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου, ἀποθανόντες ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα, ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμᾶς ἐν καινότητι Πνεύματος, καὶ οὐ παλαιότητι γράμματος.
(nuni de kataʸrgaʸthaʸmen apo tou nomou, apothanontes en hō kateiⱪometha, hōste douleuein haʸmas en kainotaʸti Pneumatos, kai ou palaiotaʸti grammatos.)

SBL-GNT νυνὶ δὲ κατηργήθημεν ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου, ἀποθανόντες ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα, ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμᾶς ἐν καινότητι πνεύματος καὶ οὐ παλαιότητι γράμματος.
(nuni de kataʸrgaʸthaʸmen apo tou nomou, apothanontes en hō kateiⱪometha, hōste douleuein haʸmas en kainotaʸti pneumatos kai ou palaiotaʸti grammatos.)

RP-GNT Νυνὶ δὲ κατηργήθημεν ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου, ἀποθανόντες ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα, ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμᾶς ἐν καινότητι πνεύματος, καὶ οὐ παλαιότητι γράμματος.
(Nuni de kataʸrgaʸthaʸmen apo tou nomou, apothanontes en hō kateiⱪometha, hōste douleuein haʸmas en kainotaʸti pneumatos, kai ou palaiotaʸti grammatos.)

TC-GNT Νυνὶ δὲ κατηργήθημεν ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου, [fn]ἀποθανόντες ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα, ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμᾶς ἐν καινότητι πνεύματος, καὶ οὐ παλαιότητι γράμματος.
(Nuni de kataʸrgaʸthaʸmen apo tou nomou, apothanontes en hō kateiⱪometha, hōste douleuein haʸmas en kainotaʸti pneumatos, kai ou palaiotaʸti grammatos. )

7:6 αποθανοντες ¦ αποθανοντος SCR

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 7:1–6: Believers must follow the new way of the Holy Spirit

In this section, Paul used the example of marriage and the husband dying to show that believers are no longer under the laws of Moses. They are under the new covenant with Jesus. We have died to sin and God has released us from the law of Moses so that we can serve God as the Holy Spirit guides and empowers us.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

We were released from the Law of Moses to serve God in the new way of the Holy Spirit

Dead to the Law, Alive to Serve in the Spirit

Serve^(plur) God in the new way of the Holy Spirit

7:6a

But now, having died to what bound us,

But now, because we have died to those things that had held us captive,
But now, we have become as/like dead to them. Before we believed, they were like a prison for us.

But now: There is contrast to the old life where the law stirred our thinking to sin to now God having set us free from that way of life.

having died to what bound us: The phrase died to is a figure of speech that indicates that the law no longer has any power over us. When we began believing in Jesus, we were no longer under the laws of Moses. Some languages must change this metaphor into a simile. For example:

having become as a dead person to what bound us

became as if dead to what bound us by telling us what to do

became as if dead to the commands that bound us

See how you translated the words died to in 6:2.

having died: This clause tells the reason or means for being released from the law. For example:

because we died (GNT)

by dying (NIV)

to what bound us: This phrase further describes the laws of Moses. It does not separate these laws of Moses from other laws of Moses. For the correct meaning in some languages, translators must avoid the word what. For example:

now we are released from the law, having died to it. It bound us. We are released so that…

what bound us: The Greek word that the BSB translates as bound refers to holding something so that it cannot leave. Being in prison is one example of the meaning here, but the meaning is more general than that. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

to that which held us captive (ESV)

the law held us like prisoners (NCV)

7:6b

we have been released from the law,

we^(incl) are free from the rule of the laws of Moses,
God has freed us from the control of the laws that he gave to Moses.

we have been released from the law: In contrast to what was true before (7:5), we have been released from the law is true in the present. Translate this word with that meaning.

released from the law: Here the word released indicates that the laws of Moses no longer rule over us. We are free to follow the Holy Spirit. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

untied from the law

no longer required to submit ourselves to the law

The clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

God has released us from the law

See how you translated released from in 7:2.

the law: Here the law refers to the laws of Moses.

General Comment on 7:6a–b

In some languages it is more natural to have the main clause (7:6b) before the reason clause (7:6a). For example:

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive (ESV)

But the Law no longer rules over us. We are like dead people, and it cannot have any power over us (CEV)

7:6c

so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit,

and so we are serving God in a new way that is produced by the Holy Spirit
Therefore we do the work of God in a new way by means of his Spirit helping us,

so that we serve: The phrase so that introduces the purpose of being released from the laws of Moses (7:6b). It does not connect to being bound (7:6a). In some languages that connection will need to be made clear. For example:

we were released so that we serve

This purpose has already begun. In some languages a result clause must be used for that meaning. For example:

and so we serve

we were released therefore we serve

we serve: Paul implied here that we serve God. Some languages must add who is served. For example:

we can serve God (NLT)

serve: Here this word refers to doing things that God wants people to do. This includes worship, praying, giving tithes, helping others, and doing whatever work that God has given to that person. Here are other ways to translate this word:

do his will

do the things that he commands us to do

See how you translated this word in 1:9.

in the new way: As believers, we serve God in a new way. That new way comes from the Holy Spirit. He leads us so we can serve God in that new way. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

in the new way of living in the Spirit (NLT)

based on the new way-of-life that comes from the Holy SpiritKankanaey Back Translation on TW.

the Spirit: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the BSB translates as Spirit:

It refers to the Holy Spirit. The BSB and other English versions indicate that meaning by capitalizing the word. (BSB, RSV, NIV, GNT, NASB, ESV, NLT, CEV, NET, NCV)
It refers to the believer’s spirit. For example:
the spirit (NJB) (NJB, KJV, NABRE, GW, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), but it is difficult to choose, as scholars on both sides make good points about why they choose their interpretation.Witherington (page 177), who supports interpretation (1), says it refers to the new covenant, which is connected with the Holy Spirit, and the old covenant, which is connected with the Law and letter of it. Lenski (page 455), who supports interpretation (2), says this verse is in contrast to the “flesh” (7:5) and so it should refer to the spirit of a person. Morris (on TW) says it means both. Many scholars do not explain their choice.

7:6d

and not in the old way of the written code.

and not in the old/obsolete letters.
and we do not do the work of God in an old way by means of the/those written laws.

and not in the old way of the written code: The phrase “we serve (God)” is implied here. In some languages it is more natural to repeat it here. For example:

we do not serve God in the old way of the written code

the old way of the written code: The Greek word that the BSB translates as old way refers to something that is old and no longer useful. The laws of Moses belong to the old covenant, but Jesus has given us a new covenant. The word of indicates that the written code described that old way to serve God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the old way of obeying the letter of the law (NLT)

an old way dictated by written words (GW)

the obsolete way described in the written Law

the written code: The Greek word is literally “letter.” It can refer to a single letter of the alphabet or a long written document like the book of Romans. Here it refers to the Old Testament. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the letter (NASB)

a written law (GNT)

the letter of the law (NLT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

νυνὶ δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: νυνί Δέ κατηργήθημεν ἀπό τοῦ νόμου ἀποθανόντες ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμάς ἐν καινότητι Πνεύματος καί οὒ παλαιότητι γράμματος)

See how you translated this phrase in [6:22](../06/22.md).

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

κατηργήθημεν ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου & ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα

˱we˲_˓were˒_released (Some words not found in SR-GNT: νυνί Δέ κατηργήθημεν ἀπό τοῦ νόμου ἀποθανόντες ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμάς ἐν καινότητι Πνεύματος καί οὒ παλαιότητι γράμματος)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [God has released us from the law … to that which was holding us]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

κατηργήθημεν ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου & ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα

Here Paul speaks of the law as if it were a slave-master from which someone must be released and who can hold people captive. Paul means that Christians do not have to obey the laws God gave the Jews. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: [we no longer have to obey the law … to that which we used to be required to obey] or [we are like slaves who have been released from the law … to that which we used to have to obey like slaves]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα

in which ˱we˲_˓were_being˒_kept

The phrase that by which we were being held refers to the law. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [to the law by which we were being held]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἀποθανόντες ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα

˓having˒_died_off in which ˱we˲_˓were_being˒_kept

Paul speaks of the law as if it were a location where Christians could die. Here, died to the law refers to the idea that Christians no longer have to obey the requirements of the laws God gave the Jews. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [no longer being required to obey that by which we were being held]

Note 6 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμᾶς

so_that ˓to_be˒_serving (Some words not found in SR-GNT: νυνί Δέ κατηργήθημεν ἀπό τοῦ νόμου ἀποθανόντες ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμάς ἐν καινότητι Πνεύματος καί οὒ παλαιότητι γράμματος)

Here, so that indicates that what follows is the result of Christians having died to the law. Use the natural way in your language to indicate result. Alternate translation: [the result being that we might serve]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

δουλεύειν ἡμᾶς

˓to_be˒_serving (Some words not found in SR-GNT: νυνί Δέ κατηργήθημεν ἀπό τοῦ νόμου ἀποθανόντες ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμάς ἐν καινότητι Πνεύματος καί οὒ παλαιότητι γράμματος)

Paul is leaving out a word that a clause would need in many languages to be complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could supply this word from the context. Alternate translation: [we might serve God]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐν καινότητι & οὐ παλαιότητι

in in newness & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: νυνί Δέ κατηργήθημεν ἀπό τοῦ νόμου ἀποθανόντες ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμάς ἐν καινότητι Πνεύματος καί οὒ παλαιότητι γράμματος)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of newness and oldness, you could express the same ideas in another way. These words indicate different ways in which peopleserve God. Alternate translation: [in the new way … not in the old way]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ἐν καινότητι Πνεύματος

in in newness ˱of˲_Spirit

Paul uses the possessive form to describe the newness that is produced by the Spirit. Paul means that the Holy Spirit enables Christians to live in a new way that pleases God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [in a new way that comes from the Holy Spirit]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

παλαιότητι γράμματος

˱in˲_oldness ˱of˲_letter

Paul uses the possessive form to describe the oldness that is determined by the letter. Paul means that Christians do not live in the old way that the law of Moses requires. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [in the old way that the letter requires]

Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

γράμματος

˱of˲_letter