Romans 7:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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?

Complete Jewish Bible:

Surely you know, brothers — for I am speaking to those who understand Torah — that the Torah has authority over a person only so long as he lives?

Berean Standard Bible:

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?

American Standard Version:

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?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

^{G2228} Know ye not^{G50}, brethren^{G80},(for^{G1063} I speak^{G2980} to them that know^{G1097} the law^{G3551},) how that^{G3754} the law^{G3551} hath dominion over^{G2961} a man^{G444} as long as^{G1909}^{G3745}^{G5550} he liveth^{G2198}?

Cross-References (KJV):

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 7:6

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.

Romans 6:3

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Romans 10:1

¶ Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Proverbs 6:23

For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the law [is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life:

Galatians 4:21

¶ Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

Romans 9:3

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

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Commentary for Romans 7:1

Romans 7:1 is a part of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Christian community in Rome, written around AD 57. In this verse, Paul is addressing believers who are familiar with Jewish law, indicating that his audience has a background in Judaism. The historical context is significant because it reflects the early Christian church's struggle with understanding the role of the Mosaic Law after the coming of Jesus Christ.

The theme of this verse centers on the relationship between the law and human life. Paul asserts that the law exercises authority or "dominion" over an individual for as long as they are alive. This statement is foundational for his subsequent argument about the law's purpose and limitations. Paul is setting the stage to explain that, while the law is holy and good, it also has the power to reveal sin, thereby increasing awareness of transgression and the need for a savior.

Paul's letter to the Romans is a profound theological discourse, and in the chapters that follow, he will delve into the concept of being "dead to the law" through Christ, so that believers are no longer under its jurisdiction but are instead alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:4-6). This verse is the beginning of a complex discussion about the law's role in the life of a Christian, highlighting the tension between the law's inability to save and its role in God's overall plan of redemption through Christ.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G2228
There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἤ
Transliteration: ḗ
Pronunciation: ay
Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι.
Strong's Number: G50
There are 1342 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀγνοέω
Transliteration: agnoéō
Pronunciation: ag-no-eh'-o
Description: from Α (as a negative particle) and νοιέω; not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination):--(be) ignorant(-ly), not know, not understand, unknown.
Strong's Number: G80
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀδελφός
Transliteration: adelphós
Pronunciation: ad-el-fos'
Description: from Α (as a connective particle) and (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like Α):--brother.
Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Strong's Number: G2980
There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λαλέω
Transliteration: laléō
Pronunciation: lal-eh'-o
Description: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare λέγω.
Strong's Number: G1097
There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γινώσκω
Transliteration: ginṓskō
Pronunciation: ghin-oce'-ko
Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
Strong's Number: G3551
There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: νόμος
Transliteration: nómos
Pronunciation: nom'-os
Description: from a primary (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.
Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Strong's Number: G2961
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κυριεύω
Transliteration: kyrieúō
Pronunciation: ko-ree-yoo'-o
Description: from κύριος; to rule:--have dominion over, lord, be lord of, exercise lordship over.
Strong's Number: G444
There are 614 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄνθρωπος
Transliteration: ánthrōpos
Pronunciation: anth'-ro-pos
Description: from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.
Strong's Number: G1909
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπί
Transliteration: epí
Pronunciation: ep-ee'
Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
Strong's Number: G3745
There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅσος
Transliteration: hósos
Pronunciation: hos'-os
Description: by reduplication from ὅς; as (much, great, long, etc.) as:--all (that), as (long, many, much) (as), how great (many, much), (in-)asmuch as, so many as, that (ever), the more, those things, what (great, -soever), wheresoever, wherewithsoever, which, X while, who(-soever).
Strong's Number: G5550
There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χρόνος
Transliteration: chrónos
Pronunciation: khron'-os
Description: of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from καιρός, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from αἰών, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay:--+ years old, season, space, (X often-)time(-s), (a) while.
Strong's Number: G2198
There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ζάω
Transliteration: záō
Pronunciation: dzah'-o
Description: a primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively):--life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.

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