Romans 6:15-23 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

We Are Therefore No Longer To Be Servants Of Sin, But Servants Of Righteousness And Of God, No Longer Earning Death As Our Wages, But Receiving The Free Gift Of Eternal Life In Christ Jesus Our Lord (6:15-23).

The question now is, ‘If we are not under the Law but under grace, does that mean that we can sin freely?' To those who understand what it means to be ‘under grace' the question answers itself. As has already been emphasised to be ‘under grace' is to be within the sphere of the loving activity of God which is at work to deliver us from sin (Romans 5:2). It is to be accepted as righteous before God through the righteousness of the One Who died for us (Romans 5:15). It is to be enjoying the new life that He has given us (Romans 5:17). It is to be under His formative care (Romans 5:20). It is to have died with Christ and be living with Him in newness of life (Romans 6:1-11). It is to acknowledge His rights over us. How can someone who is in that position easily sin? To sin easily would simply indicate that we are not God's servants at all. For what we are ‘under' is demonstrated by whom we obey.

So Paul answers the question in terms of servitude. The test of what you are under is determined by ‘who' you obey, whether sin (which results in death) or obedience (which results in righteousness); whether uncleanness and deep iniquity, or righteousness; whether sin or God. And the end of the one is death, whilst the end of the other is righteousness and life.

Romans 6:15-23

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

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?

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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