Romans 7:1

Romans 7:1-6. The same subject. Illustration from matrimony

1. Know ye not, &c. The passage from hence to end of Romans 7:7 is closely connected with the last chapter. By a perfectly new simile (marriage), it illustrates further what has been just illustrated by the metaphor of slavery, and (in the first part of ch. 6) by the union of the justified with Christ; namely the Christian's entire disconnexion from the claims, and so from the ruling influence, of sin, in virtue of the new and sacred union.

to them that know the law Lit. law; without article. But the immediate context shews that the Mosaic Law, (and probably especially its sanctions regarding marriage), is meant. The whole Roman Church, whether Jewish or Gentile, would be familiar with it; many of them having been disciples of the synagogue, and all being directed constantly to the use of the Old Testament by apostolic precept and example. See on Romans 4:18. This brief parenthesis is quite in keeping with the courtesy of St Paul's writings.

hath dominion i.e. has a claim on him; same word as Romans 6:9, where see note.

a man Lit. the man; the individual, as the second party in any given case the Law being the first party.

as long as he liveth Not "onlyas long as he liveth," as this is sometimes explained. The emphasis is on the abiding claim of the Law up to death, which alone can cancel it. This general and certain principle is now at once applied to the special case at which St Paul aims in illustration the case of marriage.