Romans 7:1
Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
Original Language Analysis
ἀγνοεῖτε
Know ye not
G50
ἀγνοεῖτε
Know ye not
Strong's:
G50
Word #:
2 of 17
not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination)
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
3 of 17
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
γινώσκουσιν
to them that know
G1097
γινώσκουσιν
to them that know
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
4 of 17
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
γὰρ
(for
G1063
γὰρ
(for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
νόμος
the law
G3551
νόμος
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
6 of 17
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ὅτι
how that
G3754
ὅτι
how that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
8 of 17
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμος
the law
G3551
νόμος
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
10 of 17
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐφ'
as long as
G1909
ἐφ'
as long as
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
Cross References
Romans 6:14For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.Romans 7:6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.Romans 6:3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?Proverbs 6:23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:Romans 10:1Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.Romans 9:3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:1 Corinthians 9:8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?Galatians 4:21Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Historical Context
Written around AD 57 from Corinth, Romans was Paul's systematic presentation of the gospel to a church he had not yet visited. Chapter 7 follows his discussion of sanctification (ch. 6) and addresses Jewish-Christian concerns about the law's role in salvation. The Roman church included both Jewish and Gentile believers navigating questions about Torah observance under the new covenant.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding death's role in dissolving legal obligations help you grasp your freedom from law-based righteousness?
- In what ways might you still be trying to establish dominion over your own spiritual life rather than surrendering to Christ's lordship?
- What 'laws' or external religious standards might still hold illegitimate dominion over your conscience?
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Analysis & Commentary
Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,)—Paul addresses those familiar with nomos (νόμος, "law"), likely Jewish converts who understood Torah principles. The Greek verb ginōskō (γινώσκω, "know") implies experiential knowledge, not mere intellectual awareness. Paul assumes his audience grasps legal binding principles.
How that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?—The verb kyrieuō (κυριεύω, "have dominion") denotes lordship or mastery. Death dissolves legal obligations, a principle foundational to the marriage analogy that follows. This introduces Paul's argument that believers have died to the law's jurisdiction through union with Christ's death (v. 4), enabling them to live under grace's reign rather than law's condemning authority.