Romans 7:1

Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for. speak to men who know the law), that the law hath dominion over. man for so long time as he liveth?

'Or are ye ignorant' -'Or do you not know' (NASV). Any argument that says that the Christian is free to sin without consequence, is an argument based on ignorance. (Romans 6:3)

'For. speak to men who know the law' -the Law under consideration in the context is the Law of Moses (Romans 7:7). And yet the principle that Paul cites is true concerning Jewish and Roman law (or any other), i.e. 'a person is subject to the law so long as he is alive, and no longer' (NEB). The same principle holds true for the laws of the United States of America. 'The Romans, whether Jew or Gentiles, knew the principle of law' (Robertson p. 366)

'Dominion' -'Jurisdiction' (NASV); 'governs. person only during his lifetime' (Mon); 'that legal claims are only binding on. man so long as he is alive' (Knox). Rules, exercises lordship. 2961. kurieuo ko-ree-yoo'-o; from 2962; to rule: -have dominion over, lord, be lord of, exercise lordship over.

The reason that Paul used the marriage relationship to illustrate this principle is...'Paul required an illustration in which both death and. new life appeared...the death of one's spouse provides an excellent illustration in which death liberates. person who yet remains alive and allows them to enter into. new relationship.'