Romans 7:1 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul reminds those familiar with law of a plain principle: a law binds a person only as long as that person lives.
What Does Romans 7:1 Mean?
Paul turns to readers who know the law and lays down a simple legal truth as the foundation for what follows. Death, he notes, ends a law's claim. He addresses them warmly as brethren, drawing them into a shared piece of common sense before he applies it to the gospel.
The point is quietly liberating. The grip of the law over a life is not endless; death dissolves it. Paul is preparing to show that those joined to Christ have, in a real sense, passed through death with him, and so the old terms of bondage no longer hold. He begins where his hearers already agree, then leads them toward grace.
Romans 7:1 in the Original Language
kyrieuei (κυριεύει), 'hath dominion' -- to rule over or be master of, the verb behind 'Lord.'
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 7:1
What does Romans 7:1 mean?
Paul reminds those familiar with law of a plain principle: a law binds a person only as long as that person lives.