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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 7:1 Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/7-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/45_Rom_07_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 7:1 - Release from the Law" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/romans/7-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/7-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/romans/">Romans</a> > <a href="/romans/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/6-23.htm" title="Romans 6:23">◄</a> Romans 7:1 <a href="/romans/7-2.htm" title="Romans 7:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/romans/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/romans/7.htm">New International Version</a> Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? <a href="/nlt/romans/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> Now, dear brothers and sisters—you who are familiar with the law—don’t you know that the law applies only while a person is living? <a href="/esv/romans/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? <a href="/bsb/romans/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? <a href="/blb/romans/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Or are you ignorant brothers (for I speak to those knowing the law), that the law rules over the man for as long as the time he is alive? <a href="/kjv/romans/7.htm">King James Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nkjv/romans/7.htm">New King James Version</a> Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? <a href="/nasb_/romans/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Or do you not know, brothers and sisters (for I am speaking to those who know the Law), that the Law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? <a href="/nasb/romans/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? <a href="/nasb77/romans/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? <a href="/lsb/romans/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is master over a person as long as he lives? <a href="/amp/romans/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Or do you not know, brothers and sisters (for I am speaking to those who know the Law), that the Law has jurisdiction [to rule] over a person as long as he lives? <a href="/csb/romans/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Since I am speaking to those who know the law, brothers and sisters, don’t you know that the law rules over someone as long as he lives? <a href="/hcsb/romans/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Since I am speaking to those who understand law, brothers, are you unaware that the law has authority over someone as long as he lives? <a href="/asv/romans/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law hath dominion over a man for so long time as he liveth? <a href="/cev/romans/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> My friends, you surely understand enough about law to know that laws only have power over people who are alive. <a href="/erv/romans/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to men that know the law), how that the law hath dominion over a man for so long time as he liveth? <a href="/gwt/romans/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Don't you realize, brothers and sisters, that laws have power over people only as long as they are alive? (I'm speaking to people who are familiar with Moses' Teachings.) <a href="/gnt/romans/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> Certainly you will understand what I am about to say, my friends, because all of you know about law. The law rules over people only as long as they live. <a href="/isv/romans/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> Don't you realize, brothers—for I am speaking to people who know the Law—that the Law can press its claims over a person only as long as he is alive? <a href="/msb/romans/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? <a href="/net/romans/7.htm">NET Bible</a> Or do you not know, brothers and sisters (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law is lord over a person as long as he lives? <a href="/nheb/romans/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Or do you not know, brothers (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a person for as long as he lives? <a href="/wbt/romans/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law) that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? <a href="/wey/romans/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Brethren, do you not know--for I am writing to people acquainted with the Law--that it is during our lifetime that we are subject to the Law? <a href="/web/romans/7.htm">World English Bible</a> Or don’t you know, brothers (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man for as long as he lives? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Are you ignorant, brothers—for to those knowing law I speak—that the law has lordship over the man as long as he lives? <a href="/blb/romans/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Or are you ignorant brothers (for I speak to those knowing the law), that the law rules over the man for as long as the time he is alive? <a href="/ylt/romans/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Are ye ignorant, brethren -- for to those knowing law I speak -- that the law hath lordship over the man as long as he liveth? <a href="/slt/romans/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Know ye not brethren, (for I speak to them knowing law,) that law rules over man as much time as he lives?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> KNOW you not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) that the law hath dominion over a man, as long as it liveth? <a href="/cpdv/romans/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Or do you not know, brothers, (now I am speaking to those who know the law) that the law has dominion over a man only so long as he lives? <a href="/nabre/romans/7.htm">New American Bible</a> Are you unaware, brothers (for I am speaking to people who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over one as long as one lives? <a href="/nrsvce/romans/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only during that person’s lifetime?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> DO you not know, my brethren, I speak to them who know the law, that the law has authority over a person as long as he lives? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Or do you not know, my brethren, for I speak to those who know The Written Law, that The Written Law has authority over a man as long as he lives,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Know you not, brethren, for I speak to you that are acquainted with law, that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? <a href="/godbey/romans/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Whether are you ignorant, O brethren, for I speak to those knowing the law, for the law hath dominion over a man for so long time as he may live? <a href="/haweis/romans/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> ARE you unacquainted, brethren, (for I am speaking to those who know the law,) that the law exercises dominion over a person for as long time as he liveth? <a href="/mace/romans/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to Jews acquainted with the law) that the law hath authority over a man, till it be abrogated? <a href="/wey/romans/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Brethren, do you not know--for I am writing to people acquainted with the Law--that it is during our lifetime that we are subject to the Law? <a href="/worrell/romans/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Or, are ye ignorant, brethren, (for I am speaking to those who know law), that the law has dominion over the man as long as he lives? <a href="/worsley/romans/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Are ye ignorant, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law) that the law hath power over a man, only so long as it liveth? <a href="/parallel/romans/7-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=1529" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/7.htm">Release from the Law</a> 1<a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: Ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than."></a> <a href="/greek/50.htm" title="50: agnoeite (V-PIA-2P) -- To do not know, be ignorant of, sometimes with the idea of willful ignorance. ">Do you not know,</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphoi (N-VMP) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brothers</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">(for</a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lalō (V-PIA-1S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">I am speaking</a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: ginōskousin (V-PPA-DMP) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">to those who know</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">the law),</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomos (N-NMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law</a> <a href="/greek/2961.htm" title="2961: kyrieuei (V-PIA-3S) -- To have authority, rule over. From kurios; to rule.">has authority over</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpou (N-GMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">a man</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: eph’ (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">only</a> <a href="/greek/3745.htm" title="3745: hoson (RelPro-AMS) -- How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.">as long as</a> <a href="/greek/5550.htm" title="5550: chronon (N-AMS) -- A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay."></a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: zē (V-PIA-3S) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">he lives?</a> 2For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Romans 6:14</a> For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. <a href="/galatians/3-23.htm">Galatians 3:23-25</a> Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. / So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. / Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. <a href="/galatians/4-4.htm">Galatians 4:4-5</a> But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, / to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-39.htm">1 Corinthians 7:39</a> A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord. <a href="/galatians/5-18.htm">Galatians 5:18</a> But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-20.htm">1 Corinthians 9:20</a> To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law. <a href="/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19</a> For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God. <a href="/ephesians/2-15.htm">Ephesians 2:15</a> by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace <a href="/colossians/2-14.htm">Colossians 2:14</a> having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! <a href="/hebrews/7-18.htm">Hebrews 7:18-19</a> So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless / (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. <a href="/hebrews/8-13.htm">Hebrews 8:13</a> By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. <a href="/hebrews/9-15.htm">Hebrews 9:15</a> Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-18</a> Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. <a href="/john/1-17.htm">John 1:17</a> For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. <a href="/acts/13-39.htm">Acts 13:39</a> Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Know you not, brothers, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?Know.<a href="/romans/6-3.htm">Romans 6:3</a> Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?brethren.<a href="/romans/9-3.htm">Romans 9:3</a> For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:<a href="/romans/10-1.htm">Romans 10:1</a> Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.them that.<a href="/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17,18</a> Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, … <a href="/ezra/7-25.htm">Ezra 7:25</a> And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.<a href="/proverbs/6-23.htm">Proverbs 6:23</a> For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:the law.<a href="/romans/7-6.htm">Romans 7:6</a> But 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.<a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Romans 6:14</a> For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.a man.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/26-3.htm">Acquainted</a> <a href="/acts/22-4.htm">Binding</a> <a href="/romans/5-8.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Dominion</a> <a href="/luke/23-7.htm">Jurisdiction</a> <a href="/romans/6-15.htm">Law</a> <a href="/romans/6-12.htm">Power</a> <a href="/romans/2-26.htm">Rules</a> <a href="/romans/6-19.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/romans/6-19.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/acts/28-23.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/romans/6-21.htm">Time</a> <a href="/romans/3-5.htm">Using</a> <a href="/romans/4-3.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/1-18.htm">Acquainted</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-2.htm">Binding</a> <a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-24.htm">Dominion</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-7.htm">Jurisdiction</a> <a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Law</a> <a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Power</a> <a href="/romans/11-22.htm">Rules</a> <a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/romans/8-7.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/romans/7-9.htm">Time</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">Using</a> <a href="/romans/10-5.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 7</div>1. <a href="/romans/7-1.htm">No law has power over a man longer than he lives.</a> 4. <a href="/romans/7-4.htm">But we are dead to the law.</a> 7. <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Yet is not the law sin;</a> 12. <a href="/romans/7-12.htm">but holy, just and good;</a> 16. <a href="/romans/7-16.htm">as I acknowledge, who am grieved because I cannot keep it.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Do you not know, brothers This phrase indicates a rhetorical question, suggesting that the audience should already be aware of the principle being discussed. The term "brothers" signifies a familial relationship among believers, emphasizing unity and shared faith. This is consistent with Paul's style in addressing fellow Christians, as seen in other epistles (e.g., <a href="/1_corinthians/1-10.htm">1 Corinthians 1:10</a>).(for I am speaking to those who know the law) Paul is addressing an audience familiar with Jewish law, likely including Jewish Christians or Gentiles well-versed in Jewish customs. This context is crucial, as it implies a foundational understanding of the Mosaic Law, which is central to the argument Paul is making. The law here refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, which were well-known among Jews and early Christians.that the law has authority over a man The concept of the law having authority suggests a binding legal and moral obligation. In Jewish tradition, the law was seen as a covenant between God and His people, providing guidelines for righteous living. This authority is akin to a legal jurisdiction, where the law governs behavior and dictates consequences for transgressions.only as long as he lives? This phrase introduces the idea that the law's jurisdiction is limited to a person's lifetime. It implies that death releases one from legal obligations, a concept understood in both Jewish and Roman law. This principle sets the stage for Paul's later argument about being released from the law through Christ's death and resurrection, drawing a parallel to the believer's spiritual death to sin and new life in Christ (<a href="/romans/6-4.htm">Romans 6:4-7</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> The apostle and author of the Book of Romans, addressing the believers in Rome. 2. <a href="/topical/b/brothers.htm">Brothers</a> Refers to the Christian believers in Rome, both Jews and Gentiles, who are familiar with the law. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a> Refers to the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites and is a central theme in Paul's discussion of sin and grace.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_law's_authority.htm">Understanding the Law's Authority</a> The law's authority is limited to one's lifetime, illustrating the temporal nature of legalistic adherence. <a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a> Believers are released from the law's authority through Christ's death and resurrection, allowing them to live under grace. <a href="/topical/t/the_purpose_of_the_law.htm">The Purpose of the Law</a> The law serves to reveal sin and our need for a Savior, pointing us to Christ. <a href="/topical/l/living_a_new_life.htm">Living a New Life</a> As believers, we are called to live a new life in the Spirit, free from the constraints of the law. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_law_in_sanctification.htm">The Role of the Law in Sanctification</a> While the law cannot save, it guides us in understanding God's standards and our need for continual growth in holiness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 7</a> <a href="/q/how_are_believers_'released'_from_the_law.htm">How can Romans 7:1–6 claim that believers are “released” from the Law when elsewhere Scripture upholds its importance?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_pride_lead_to_downfall.htm">Who are you to judge others?</a> <a href="/q/is_remarriage_adultery.htm">Is a second marriage considered adultery?</a> <a href="/q/is_remarriage_after_divorce_biblical.htm">Is remarriage after divorce permissible according to the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>VII.(1-6) The Apostle takes up an idea to which he had alluded in <a href="/context/romans/7-14.htm" title="For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.">Romans 7:14-15</a> of the preceding chapter, "Ye are not under the Law, but under grace;" and as he had worked out the conclusion of the death of the Christian to sin, so now he works out that of his death to the Law. This he does by an illustration borrowed from the marriage-bond. That bond is dissolved by the death of one of the parties to it. And in like manner the death of the Christian with Christ releases him from his obligation to the Law, and opens out to him a new and spiritual service in place of his old subjection to a written code.(1) Know ye not.--Here again insert "or": Or know ye not, &c., carrying on the thought from the end of the last chapter. Is not, argues the Apostle, what I say true? Or do I hear the old objection raised again, that the system under which the Christian is living is not one of grace in which eternal life is given freely by God, but the Mosaic law? That would show an ignorance--which in you I cannot believe--of the fact that the dominion of the Law ceases with death, of which fact it is easy to take a simple illustration.To them that know the law.--The Roman Church, as we have seen, was composed in about equal proportions of Jewish and of Gentile Christians. The Jews would naturally know the provisions of their own law, while the Gentile Christians would know them sufficiently to be aware of the fact, from their intercourse with Jewish members of their own community, and from hearing the Old Testament read in the synagogues, where their public worship was still conducted. The practice of reading from the Old Testament did not cease on the transition from Jewish to Christian modes of worship; it survives still in the "First Lesson."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-6. - Here comes in the third illustration of the moral obligation of the baptized. It rests on the recognized principle that death cancels the claims of human law on a person (cf. <a href="/romans/6-7.htm">Romans 6:7</a>); and this with especial reference to the law of marriage, as being peculiarly applicable to the subject to be illustrated, since the Church is elsewhere regarded as married to Christ. As has been observed above, it is from the Law that Christians are now said to be emancipated in the death of Christ; not from sin, as in the previous sections. Hence this section might at first sight seem to introduce a new line of thought. But it is really a continuation of the same, though differently viewed; for, in the sense intended by St. Paul, being under the Law is equivalent to being under sin. How this is has already more or less appeared; and it will be shown further in the latter part of this chapter. For elucidating the connection of thought between this and the preceding sections, it may be here briefly stated thus: A fundamental axiom with the apostle is that "where no law is, there is no transgression" (<a href="/romans/4-15.htm">Romans 4:15</a>; cf. 5:13; 7:9); i.e. without law of some kind (including in the idea both external law and the law of conscience) to reveal to man the difference between right and wrong, he is not held responsible; to be a sinner before God he must know what sin is. Human sin consists in a man doing wrong, knowing it to be wrong; or, at any rate, with an original power and opportunity of knowing it to be so. (This, be it observed, is the idea running through the whole of ch. 1, in which all mankind are convicted of sin; the whole drift of the argument being that they had sinned against knowledge.) Law, then, in making sin known to man, subjects him to its guilt, and consequently to its condemnation. But this is all it does; it is all that, in itself, it can do. It can remove neither the guilt nor the dominion of sin. Its principle is simply to exact entire obedience to its requirements; and there it leaves the sinner. The above view applies to all law, and of course peculiarly to the Mosaic Law (which the writer has all along mainly in view) in proportion to the authority of its source and the strictness of its requirements. Thus it is that St. Paul regards being under the Law as the same thing as being under sin, and dying to the Law as the same thing as dying to sin. Grace, on the other hand, under which we pass in rising again with Christ, does both the things which law cannot do: it both cancels the guilt of sin (repentance and faith presumed), and also imparts power to overcome it. Verse 1. - Are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to persons knowing law), how that the Law hath dominion over a man for so long time as he liveth? i.e. so long as the man liveth; not so long as the Law liveth in the sense of viget, or "remains in force," though Origen, Ambrose, Grotius, Erasmus, and others, for reasons that will appear, understood the latter sense. It is not the natural one. <a href="/commentaries/romans/7-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Do you not know, ἀγνοεῖτε (agnoeite) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_50.htm">Strong's 50: </a> To do not know, be ignorant of, sometimes with the idea of willful ignorance. brothers ἀδελφοί (adelphoi) Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. (for γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. I am speaking λαλῶ (lalō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. to those who know γινώσκουσιν (ginōskousin) Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. [the] law), νόμον (nomon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. law νόμος (nomos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. has authority over κυριεύει (kyrieuei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2961.htm">Strong's 2961: </a> To have authority, rule over. From kurios; to rule. a man ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. only ἐφ’ (eph’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. as long as ὅσον (hoson) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3745.htm">Strong's 3745: </a> How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As. he lives? ζῇ (zē) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/7-1.htm">NT Letters: Romans 7:1 Or don't you know brothers for (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/6-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 6:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 6:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/7-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 7:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 7:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>