It is authored by Paul the Apostle, while he was in Corinth in the mid-50s AD,[1] with the help of an amanuensis (secretary), Tertius, who adds his own greeting in Romans 16:22.

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are: The concluding discussion in chapter 6 on slavery and freedom leads to the reintroduction of the topic of "the law and sin", that a believer has died not only to sin (6:3) but also to the law (verses 1–4).

[4] Do you not know, brothers (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?Jewish Christians in Rome would have been familiar with the Hebrew Bible, but many commentators recognise that "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".

[4] A connection between 'law' and 'sin' was stated in the earlier parts of the epistle (Romans 3:20, 4:15, 5:13, and 5:20), but because this is regarded "surprising and controversial" for most readers, Paul elaborates more in chapter 6 and 7, especially in verses 5–12 where the law itself is said to be a cause of sin.

[μη γενοιτο, mē genoito][b] But if it had not been for the Law, I would not have known [i.e. recognised] sinI thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.