The word ἠλευθέρωσέν inflects as the word ἐλευθερόω which is transliterated
as eleutheróō . The term is a verb and can be found in the indicative aorist active 3rd
person singular. The word appears 7 times within the KJV in the following texts: John
8:32, 36; Romans 6:18, 22; 8:2, 21; Galatians 5:1. Thayer’s Lexicon defines
ἠλευθέρωσέν as “to make free, set at liberty.” The following English verses show the
usage of the term within the context of each verse in the KJV and ESV translations:
1. John 8:32 KJV, “…make…free…” | 8:32 ESV, “…will set…free…”
2. John 8:36 KJV, “…make…free…” | 8:36 ESV, “…sets…free…”
3. Romans 6:18 KJV, “…made free…” | 6:18 ESV,”…set free…”
4. Romans 6:22 KJV, “…made free…” | 6:22 ESV,” …set free…”
5. Romans 8:2 KJV, “…hath made…free…” | 8:2 ESV, “…has set…free…”
6. Romans 8:21 KJV, “…shall be delivered…” | 8:21 ESV, “…will…set free…”
7. Galatians 5:1 KJV,” …hath made…free…” | 5:1 ESV,” …has set…free…”
Contextually, these English translations denote liberation, but the verses reveal
differences. For example, (Romans 8:21) refers to creation being delivered from the
bondage of sin, and (Romans 6:18, 22) reveals individuals free from the bondage of sin;
additionally, (John 8: 32, 36) deals with a person free from the control of another.
(Galatians 5:1) reveals a person maintaining their freedom in Christ. Finally, (Romans
8:2) reveals persons set free from the dominion of sin. The term ἐλευθερόω in
1.
the context of Romans 8:2 in the KJV shows action in the past tense and not the present
tense. The term can also be found in the (LXX) Septuagint within the passages of
Leviticus 19:20 and Proverbs 25:11. In the (LXX), the context of (Leviticus 19:20)
imposes a judicial act of man on other men by freeing them from the consequences of
death that the criminal act can carry. This parallels the legal act of making one free from
death concerning sin in Romans 8:2; additionally, (Proverbs 25:11) in the (LXX) does
not contextualize the idea of freedom from sin as seen here, “A word fitly spoken is like
apples of gold in pictures of silver…”
In summary, (Romans 8:2) could be seen as a benefit deriving from citizenship.
ἐλευθερόω, as seen in the (NIDNTTE) uses the definition “free” as a benefit from
citizenship. The verse as a legal proclamation reads, “For the law of the Spirit of life
inEChristEJesusEhathEmadeEmeEfreeEfrom the lawEofEsinEandEdeath” (Romans 8:2 KJV).
Christ has completed the work through his death, burial, and resurrection. Therefore,
“…hath made…free” is correct in the context of the KJV instead of “has…set free” in
the ESV. Christ is not working to free believers because he has already done it.
2.
