Romans 6:15-23

6:15 | In Romans 6:1 the antagonist says, “Let us go on sinning that grace may abound.” The antagonist in 6:15 says, “Let us commit sin because grace does abound.” Paul answers them the same way: Certainly not! This is a strong negative in the Greek that means without question; absolutely, finally and forever no! Grace does not free anyone to sin but it frees believers from sin.

6:17-18 | Paul traces the history of these Roman believers in four stages: they were enslaved, enlightened, emancipated, and enslaved again.

6:17 | Going beyond mental assent to a system of facts about the Lord, these believers obeyed truths from the heart. This was genuine life-changing obedience. Form (Grk., typos) is used in classical Greek for the impression of a seal, branding iron, foot, or teeth. Believers had a new “shape” formed by doctrine. Pursuing a right knowledge of God and His work sanctifies.

6:19 | Believers should present themselves (members means “bodies”) as slaves to righteousness with eh same abandon as they willfully gave themselves to sin in the past. Yielding themselves to righteousness will have the same exponential effect, only they will become more holy rather than more sinful.

6:20-22 | Unbelievers are “free” from righteousness. In other words, it makes no demands on them. So it should never be a surprise when unbelievers behave wickedly; they know nothing else (John 8:34)! Unfortunately, without the desire or ability to live in righteousness, they also forfeit the power to comply with its wishes. On the other hand, slavery to God results in freedom from sin, the fruit of holiness, and a future of everlasting life (1 Pet. 1:4).

6:23 | In this context, the Greek word for wages refers to “pocket money” allowed to slaves. Death is not only the final result of sin but the present result of sin. Eternal life is a grace, a gift.