Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Romans 7:4. It’s a pretty profound and challenging one, so let’s tackle it piece by piece. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: “When I spoke to you about the law, I urged you not to love it, but to put it away. Now, I’m telling you this: we have become disconnected from God's ways – specifically, the law of Moses – by being united with Christ. Think of it like this: we’re married to someone, and that person is Jesus Christ. We want to follow him, but we’ve become so focused on our own desires and wants that we’ve forgotten about God's will for us.” Let's unpack the key parts: “Wherefore, my brethren…” (Why, friends…) : This is a way of introducing a serious message. It's like saying, "Listen closely..." “…ye also are become dead to the law…” : This is the core of the verse. “Dead” doesn’t mean lifeless, but rather detached . We’ve stopped wanting to obey God’s laws and rules. We’ve become driven by our own desires – our wants, our impulses, our passions – instead of following what God has shown us. We're not striving for good behavior; we're pursuing things that we think are good. “…by the body of Christ…” : This refers to Jesus Christ – the central figure of God’s law and way of life. It emphasizes that we are now linked to him through faith in Him. “That ye should be married to another, [even] to him who is raised from the dead…” : This is a very striking image. Marriage implies a commitment, a partnership, and a shared destiny. But here’s the crucial part: “He who is raised from the dead” refers to Jesus Christ – he has conquered sin and death! We are now married to him, not in the way we used to be, but in a new, deeper relationship. “that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” : This means that our lives – our actions, our thoughts, our choices – should produce good results or “fruit” for God. It's about living a life that pleases Him and reflects His will. In essence, the verse is saying: We have become spiritually enslaved to our desires and wants instead of to God’s law and guidance. We need to actively reject those desires and strive to follow Christ’s teachings. By embracing his love and righteousness, we can begin to live a life that pleases God and produces good fruit – a life that is pleasing to Him. It's a call to repentance: The verse is urging us to recognize this state of disconnection and actively choose to turn away from our own desires and embrace God’s will. --- Do you want me to: Explain any particular part in more detail? Connect this verse to a specific biblical story or concept?