What is the 'body of Christ' that Paul refers to in Romans 7:4?
In Romans 7:4, the 'body of Christ' refers to His physical body of flesh, the crucified body, not the invisible body or organism of believers baptized into Christ. By that crucified body, believers become dead to the Mosaic law so they can be married to the risen Christ and bring forth fruit unto God.
Les explains that in Romans 7:4 Paul is speaking to believers who have become dead to the law of Moses, the Mosaic system, by the body of Christ. He clarifies that this body is not the invisible body or organism of believers baptized into Christ, but Christ's body of flesh with which He was crucified. The result is that believers should be married to another, even Him who was raised from the dead, so they should bring forth fruit unto God. Les compares this to a husband and wife being held together by law, such as income tax filing jointly or separately.
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
More Questions
What does Paul mean when he says believers are dead to the law in Romans 7:4?
In Romans 7:4 Paul is telling believers that they have become dead to the law of Moses, meaning the Mosaic system, and this happened by the body of Christ, specifically His physical body of flesh that was crucified.
How do believers become dead to the law in Romans 7:4?
Believers become dead to the Mosaic law through the body of Christ mentioned in Romans 7:4.
What does Romans 7:4 teach about believers being married to Christ?
The marriage picture in Romans 7:4 teaches that believers are married to the risen Christ in order to bring forth fruit to God.