Section 7:1–6
Believers must follow the new way of the Holy Spirit
In this section, Paul used the example of marriage and the husband dying to show that believers are no longer under the laws of Moses. They are under the new covenant with Jesus. We have died to sin and God has released us from the law of Moses so that we can serve God as the Holy Spirit guides and empowers us.
Here are other possible headings for this section:
We were released from the Law ⌊of Moses⌋ to serve God in the new way of the Holy Spirit
-or-
Dead to the Law, Alive to Serve in the Spirit
-or-
Serve (plur.) God in the new way of the Holy Spirit
Paragraph 7:1–3
7:1a–b
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?: The clause for I am speaking to those who know the law occurs in the middle of the question that Paul asked. It explains to whom he was speaking in this verse. In many languages, it is better to put this clause before or after the question. For example:
Or, brothers, I am speaking to those who know the law, do you not know that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?
-or-
Or, brothers, do you not know that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? I am speaking to those who know the law.
Do you not know, brothers…that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes that the believers in Rome know that the law is binding only as long as a person lives. It also tells them to be thinking of this principle as Paul talked further. Translate this clause with that meaning. Here are some ways:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
do you not know…that the law is lord over a person as long as he lives? (NET Bible)
-or-
Don’t you realize…that laws have power over people only as long as they are alive? (God’s Word)
• As a statement. For example:
you cannot have forgotten that the law can control a person only during that person’s lifetime. (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
you surely understand…that laws only have power over people who are alive. (Contemporary English Version)
7:1a
The Greek of 7:1a begins with a word that is usually translated as “or.” The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word, but leaves the connection between 7:1 and 6:23 implicit. This word introduces something connected but different and not contrasting.
Do you not know, brothers: The word brothers occurs in the middle of the question. In many languages it is more natural to have this word before the question. For example:
Or, brothers, do you not know
brothers: Here the word brothers refers to believers in Jesus, both men and women. The word indicates a close relationship because all believers are considered spiritual children of God. For example:
my fellow believers
In some languages brothers would be understood as literal brothers. If that is true in your language, you may want to translate differently. For example:
our brothers ⌊and sisters⌋ ⌊who believe⌋ ⌊in Jesus/Christ⌋
-or-
my family of believers
-or-
my friends (Contemporary English Version)
See how you translated this word in 1:13.
(for I am speaking to those who know the law): The word for introduces an explanation. Here Paul explained that he knew that the believers in Rome know the law. Some people might think that Paul’s question here implies that he thought that the believers did not know the law. So Paul made it clear that he knew that they did know it. See also the examples in the Notes on 7:1a–b.
I am speaking: Paul wrote this letter. But in effect he was talking to the believers in Rome, so he used the verb “speak” here. Also this letter would have been read aloud in the gatherings of believers in Rome, so “speak” would also be appropriate in that way. Use whatever is most natural here.
those who know the law: This phrase indicates in general that the believers in Rome know the law. It does not indicate that only some of the believers there know it. In some languages to translate the correct meaning, one must avoid using who. For example:
Or brothers, you know the law, do you not know…
-or-
Brothers, you know the law, I speak to you. ⌊So⌋ another question is this: do you not know…
the law: The Greek is only law here. It probably refers to the laws of Moses here. For example:
the Law (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the law of Moses (New Jerusalem Bible)
7:1b
that: Here this word introduces what Paul questioned that they know.
the law has authority over a man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has authority refers to having great power over someone. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
the law rules a person
-or-
the law has power over a person
-or-
the law is binding on a person (English Standard Version)
See how you translated the same Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has authority in 6:9 (“has dominion”) or 6:14 (“have…dominion”).
the law: This refers to the same law (or laws) as in 7:1a.
only as long as he lives: This indicates that the laws apply while the person is alive. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
over people who are alive (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
while that person is alive
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