Who is Paul addressing in Romans 7:1?
Paul addresses believers, calling them brethren, specifically speaking to those who know the law. He reminds them that law has dominion over a person only as long as that person lives. In Romans 7:1, he is still talking to believers, not merely Israel or unbelievers, and he expands law beyond the Mosaic law to law as it governs society.
Les explains that Romans chapter 7 is a thrilling chapter where Paul is dealing again with the same issue: how to deal with old Adam over against the new divine nature Christ places in us at salvation. At verse 1, Paul says, “Know ye not, brethren,” and Les points out he is still talking to believers. Paul also says he speaks to them who know the law, and he states that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives. Les clarifies this is not just the Mosaic law but law as it governs society, using the example of living under the United States government and Constitution, which controls us until we die. At death, that government loses all control, illustrating Paul’s point that the only way to sever some things is by death.
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?
More Questions
Does the 'therefore' in Romans 8 look back to chapter 7 or to Romans 5:1?
One commentator (a British PhD theologian) holds that the 'therefore' in Romans 8 does not take you back to chapter 7, but back to Romans 5:1, where being justified by faith we have peace with God.