For sin shall not have dominion over you—hamartia gar hymōn ou kyrieusei (ἁμαρτία γὰρ ὑμῶν οὐ κυριεύσει). The future kyrieusei (κυριεύσει, shall lord over, exercise mastery) contains assurance: sin's tyranny is broken and will not reassert itself because of believers' new position. This isn't prediction but promise based on the reality Paul has expounded. The verb kyrieuō (κυριεύω) indicates total mastery, lordship—sin no longer has legal authority over those justified in Christ.
For ye are not under the law, but under grace—ou gar este hypo nomon alla hypo charin (οὐ γὰρ ἐστε ὑπὸ νόμον ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ χάριν). The prepositional phrase hypo (ὑπό, under) indicates dominion, jurisdiction. Believers have changed jurisdictions: from under law (which condemns but cannot empower) to under grace (which justifies and empowers). This doesn't mean lawlessness but new covenant empowerment. The law's jurisdiction ended at death (Romans 7:1-6); believers died in Christ, escaping law's condemnation and entering grace's realm where the Spirit enables obedience. Paul's logic: law-keeping for righteousness produces sin's dominion (because law reveals but doesn't remedy sin); grace-reliance breaks sin's dominion by providing both forgiveness and the Spirit's power.
Historical Context
Jewish Christians struggled with the law's role post-Messiah. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) debated Gentile circumcision; Paul consistently taught that covenant identity comes through faith in Christ, not law-keeping. 'Under law' meant under the Mosaic covenant's jurisdiction—both its promises and curses. Roman legal system also operated jurisdictionally; Paul's metaphor of changing jurisdictions (from law to grace) would resonate. Grace (charis) in Greco-Roman culture meant patron-client favor; Paul transforms this: God's grace isn't quid pro quo but freely given, enabling transformed life.
Questions for Reflection
How does understanding that you're 'not under law but under grace' affect your battle with habitual sin?
Where might you be living as though still 'under law,' trying to earn righteousness rather than living from grace?
What does 'sin shall not have dominion over you' mean practically when you still experience temptation and failure?
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Analysis & Commentary
For sin shall not have dominion over you—hamartia gar hymōn ou kyrieusei (ἁμαρτία γὰρ ὑμῶν οὐ κυριεύσει). The future kyrieusei (κυριεύσει, shall lord over, exercise mastery) contains assurance: sin's tyranny is broken and will not reassert itself because of believers' new position. This isn't prediction but promise based on the reality Paul has expounded. The verb kyrieuō (κυριεύω) indicates total mastery, lordship—sin no longer has legal authority over those justified in Christ.
For ye are not under the law, but under grace—ou gar este hypo nomon alla hypo charin (οὐ γὰρ ἐστε ὑπὸ νόμον ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ χάριν). The prepositional phrase hypo (ὑπό, under) indicates dominion, jurisdiction. Believers have changed jurisdictions: from under law (which condemns but cannot empower) to under grace (which justifies and empowers). This doesn't mean lawlessness but new covenant empowerment. The law's jurisdiction ended at death (Romans 7:1-6); believers died in Christ, escaping law's condemnation and entering grace's realm where the Spirit enables obedience. Paul's logic: law-keeping for righteousness produces sin's dominion (because law reveals but doesn't remedy sin); grace-reliance breaks sin's dominion by providing both forgiveness and the Spirit's power.