Νυνὶ δὲ κατηργήθημεν ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου, ἀποθανόντες ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα, ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμᾶς ἐν καινότητι πνεύματος καὶ οὐ παλαιότητι γράμματος. (Romans 7:6)
A Transition of Covenantal Existence
In Romans 7:6, Paul describes a radical shift: believers are released from the Law, having died to the binding force that once held them, so that they may now serve in a new way. The grammar of this verse captures this redemptive movement with precision, using:
– A perfective aorist passive verb for release
– A temporal-causal participle to describe spiritual death
– A passive imperfect to depict previous bondage
– A result clause with ὥστε
– A dative of manner contrast: newness of Spirit vs. oldness of letter
Let’s explore how these structures unfold Paul’s theology of liberation and renewal.
1. Aorist Passive Indicative: κατηργήθημεν
The verb κατηργήθημεν (“we were released” or “we were rendered inoperative”) is:
– Aorist passive indicative, 1st person plural
– From καταργέω, meaning “to abolish, nullify, make powerless”
This passive form emphasizes:
– Action done to us, not by us
– A completed event: we have been freed from the Law’s binding authority
The verb signals a covenantal severance — the Law no longer holds judicial power over those in Christ.
Prepositional Phrase
– ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου (“from the Law”) — ἀπό + genitive indicates separation or departure
– Grammatically, this means the Law is no longer the covenantal framework we live under
2. Aorist Active Participle: ἀποθανόντες
The participle ἀποθανόντες (“having died”) is:
– Aorist active participle, nominative masculine plural
– From ἀποθνῄσκω (“to die”)
It modifies the subject we (implied in κατηργήθημεν) and introduces the means or condition of that release:
“Having died in that by which we were held…”
Enclitic Prepositional Clause
– ἐν ᾧ κατειχόμεθα = “in that by which we were held”
– This structure implies that our death (through union with Christ) is what freed us from bondage to the Law
The participle is temporal-causal in force: because we died, we were released.
3. Imperfect Passive: κατειχόμεθα
The verb κατειχόμεθα (“we were being held”) is:
– Imperfect passive indicative, 1st person plural
– From κατέχω (“to hold fast, restrain, bind”)
This verb depicts our former state: ongoing bondage under the Law’s rule. The imperfect tense suggests continued experience in the past.
We were continually held, not momentarily detained.
4. Result Clause with ὥστε + Infinitive
Paul now draws a conclusion using ὥστε:
– ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμᾶς = “so that we might serve”
– δουλεύειν = present active infinitive, “to serve” or “to be enslaved”
– ἡμᾶς = accusative subject of the infinitive
This is a natural result clause: the release from the Law leads to new service.
Semantic Force
The infinitive δουλεύειν usually implies bondage or servitude, but in Paul’s theology, this new service is not one of fear but of freedom in the Spirit.
5. Manner Contrast in the Dative: καινότητι vs. παλαιότητι
Paul concludes with a profound contrast:
– ἐν καινότητι πνεύματος – “in newness of Spirit”
– οὐ παλαιότητι γράμματος – “not in oldness of letter”
These are dative singulars of manner, expressing how we now serve:
Contrast of Service: Spirit vs. Letter
| Phrase | Greek Form | Function | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| καινότητι πνεύματος | Dative of manner | Sphere of new life | “newness belonging to the Spirit” |
| παλαιότητι γράμματος | Dative of manner | Outdated method | “oldness belonging to the letter [of the Law]” |
The contrast is not between Law vs. chaos, but letter vs. Spirit, old bondage vs. new empowerment.
Grammar Table: Romans 7:6 Structures
| Greek Expression | Grammar | Function | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| κατηργήθημεν | Aorist Passive Indicative (1st Pl.) | Main Verb | “we were released / nullified” |
| ἀποθανόντες | Aorist Active Participle (Nom. Pl.) | Means / Cause | “having died” |
| κατειχόμεθα | Imperfect Passive Indicative (1st Pl.) | Past State | “we were being held” |
| ὥστε δουλεύειν ἡμᾶς | Result Clause with Infinitive | Purpose / Outcome | “so that we serve” |
| ἐν καινότητι πνεύματος | Dative of Manner | Sphere of Service | “in newness of Spirit” |
| οὐ παλαιότητι γράμματος | Dative of Manner (Negated) | Contrastive Sphere | “not in oldness of letter” |
From Death to Service: A Syntax of Spiritual Rebirth
Romans 7:6 is more than a declaration of release — it’s a grammatical resurrection:
– Aorist passive: We are freed from what once held us.
– Participial logic: Our death with Christ precedes all.
– Result clause: We serve, not slavishly, but spiritually.
– Datives of contrast: Old covenant vs. new covenant service.
Paul’s Greek here shows that freedom from the Law is not lawlessness, but redirection — from the letter to the Spirit, from external code to internal life.
The Spirit changes not just what we do, but how we do it — and grammar reveals the whole journey.
