Romans 6:15-23

KING JAMES:

Rom 6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 

Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 

Rom 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 

Rom 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 

Rom 6:19  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 

Rom 6:20  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 

Rom 6:21  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 

Rom 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Main Points: This is an extension of his original rhetorical question in verse one. It serves as a springboard to call Christians out of willfully sinning, but it also serves to differentiate between the fruit (or lack thereof) of a system of grace and a system of law. Grace should bring the recipient to a life manifested by good works (obedience). Law is a system already shown to be ruled by sin/death….not designed to transform the slave to it.

9. What is Paul asking in verse 15? One of many rhetorical questions Paul uses a lead-in to arguments he has heard or argued against. He is still dispelling the system of law as inadequate to perform what God has done through Jesus. Unlike what Jesus brings, the Law might not transform the soul away from sin.

10. Explain verse 16. How do you know what you are a slave to? See word study below. These are fully freewill actions. Where will you stand? Who/what will you yield to? Once we give ourselves to something, we become servitude to it. Sin is the evidence of relying on law. Obedience is evidence of righteousness  (or servitude to God).

11. A. What does slavery to impurity lead to (6:19)?  B. What does slavery to righteousness lead to?  A. Iniquity - ἀνομία anomia an-om-ee'-ah From G459; illegality, that is, violation of law or (generally) wickedness - B. holiness G38 ἁγιασμός hagiasmos hag-ee-as-mos'

From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity

Again, Paul is simply closing the door to any arguments for LAW. This, being a simple outcome-centric analysis. It just makes sense.

12. What does verse 20 mean? What does Paul mean to be “free in regard to righteousness?”  Within the context of serving the law, righteousness was not a consideration, and not perceived as a requirement (a system of works). Free: G1658 - ἐλεύθεροςeleutherosel-yoo'-ther-os Probably from the alternate of G2064; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), that is, (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (generally) exempt (from obligation or liability)

Most specifically, the (works of the) law does not necessarily seek righteousness in the sense of being dedicated to it (as something served/strived for)

13. What is the fruit of being slaves to sin? What is the fruit of being slaves of God? Death: G2288 θάνατος thanatos than'-at-osFrom G2348; (properly an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively) -----vs----- Sanctification: G38 ἁγιασμός hagiasmos hag-ee-as-mos' From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity -----and eternal life: (perpetual life)

Note: this is the third time Paul indicates “eternal life” bringing to mind the perpetual benefit to the system of grace.

Additional: Note that Paul completely encompasses the concept of a willful slavery (servitude). We must remove any thoughts of forced slavery before understanding this section.

16) You Yield (Present Yourselves): G3936 παρίστημι, παριστάνω paristēmi paristanō par-is'-tay-mee, par-is-tan'-o From G3488 and G2476; to stand beside, that is, (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specifically) recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or ready), aid: - assist
(Note Root Words: Narcissus (the flower) and To Stand By)

16) Servant G1401: δοῦλος doulos doo'-los From G1210; a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily (1210 – Bind)

18,22) Servant: G1402 δουλόω douloō doo-lo'-o From G1401; to enslave

19) Servant: G1400 δοῦλον doulon doo'-lon Neuter of G1401; subservient:

19) Impurity - G167 ἀκαθαρσίαakatharsia ak-ath-ar-see'-ahFrom G169; impurity
root word – lewd

16, 18, 19, 20) righteousness G1343 δικαιοσύνη dikaiosunē dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay From G1342; equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification