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Daily Devotions

Romans

Romans 
Day 
Day 134

"I speak to those who know the law..."

Text: Romans 7:1

READERS OF PAUL’S EPISTLES

Paul was most aware that when he wrote his letter to the Romans, there would be a group of Jews who knew “the law” well. In this section of his epistle he addressed them in particular.

“Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the
law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?”
Romans 7:1

People who had knowledge of the Law

Who would these people be?

a) Jews

All Jews were brought up with knowledge of the Law. Instruction from the law was considered essential for all Jews.

b) Those who were especially trained in the law

The following groups may be identified:-

i) Scribes

These were professionally trained to copy the Hebrew Scriptures. All Scriptures were hand-copied! The scribes were trained to do this difficult task.

ii) Pharisees

The Pharisees prided themselves in the keeping of the law (and traditions). Paul himself was brought up as a Pharisee. He knew how well instructed Pharisees were with reference to knowledge of the law.

iii) Lawyers

These were “the experts”. They would be the ones who would be consulted where fine technical points of the law needed careful analysis and exposition.

iv) Sadducees

The Sadducees were a little more “liberal” in their approach to the Scriptures. They subscribed only to the Mosaic Law.

THE LAW’S DOMINION OVER A MAN

If Paul were to only “speak in human terms” (Romans 6:19), he would not go very far with those who knew the law (Romans 7:1). Thus Paul had to make definite reference to the Law if he were to minister to them. And this he did! The first point of reference to the law was to bring up an important legal point- that as long as man was alive, he was subject to the law. The power of the law was such that it could be spoken of as having “dominion” over the man!