King James Version

What Does Romans 7:1 Mean?

Romans 7:1 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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?”

Romans 7:1 · KJV

Context

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?

2

For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

3

So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

Read Romans 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding death's role in dissolving legal obligations help you grasp your freedom from law-based righteousness?
  2. In what ways might you still be trying to establish dominion over your own spiritual life rather than surrendering to Christ's lordship?
  3. What 'laws' or external religious standards might still hold illegitimate dominion over your conscience?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
Ἢ1 of 17
G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἀγνοεῖτε2 of 17

“Know ye not”

G50

not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination)

ἀδελφοί3 of 17

“brethren”

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

γινώσκουσιν4 of 17

“to them that know”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

γὰρ5 of 17

“(for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

νόμος6 of 17

“the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

λαλῶ7 of 17

“I speak”

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

ὅτι8 of 17

“how that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ὁ9 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμος10 of 17

“the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

κυριεύει11 of 17

“hath dominion over”

G2961

to rule

τοῦ12 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπου13 of 17

“a man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐφ'14 of 17

“as long as”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ὅσον15 of 17
G3745

as (much, great, long, etc.) as

χρόνον16 of 17
G5550

a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a

ζῇ17 of 17

“he liveth”

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 7:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 7:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 6:14Romans 7:6Romans 6:3Proverbs 6:23Romans 10:1Romans 9:3

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Romans 7 with CommentaryAll Romans ChaptersComplete Romans QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes