7:6a
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
-or-
became as if dead to what bound us by ⌊telling us what to do⌋
-or-
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 (Good News Translation)
-or-
by dying (New International Version)
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 Berean Standard Bible 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 (English Standard Version)
-or-
the law held us like prisoners (New Century Version)
7:6b
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
-or-
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 (English Standard Version)
-or-
But the Law no longer rules over us. We are like dead people, and it cannot have any power over us (Contemporary English Version)
7:6c
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
-or-
⌊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 (New Living Translation (2004))
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
-or-
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 (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
based on the new way-of-life that comes from the Holy Spirit
the Spirit: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Spirit :
(1) It refers to the Holy Spirit. The Berean Standard Bible and other English versions indicate that meaning by capitalizing the word.
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New Century Version)
(2) It refers to the believer’s spirit. For example:
the spirit (New Jerusalem Bible)
(New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, God’s Word, Revised English Bible)
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.
7:6d
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 Berean Standard Bible 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 (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
an old way dictated by written words (God’s Word)
-or-
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 (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
a written law (Good News Translation)
-or-
the letter of the law (New Living Translation (2004))
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