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
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
