15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Commentary
Vs. 15-16 Following his previous exhortation in 6:14 where the Apostle Paul stated that "we are not under law but under grace". He now follows that up here in verse 15 with the next logical progression, and that is, "shall we then sin because we are not under Law but under grace". To which he answers, "certainly not!" For "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?" vs. 16
And so the Apostle has no qualms in commanding us all that a life no longer under the Law, is not then a life to be lived in sin. For as the Apostle Paul warns here, if you submit yourselves to sin, then you will become slaves of sin (see John 8:34-36) which in the end only leads to death (Rom 6:23). Not bodily death (though that is apart of sins consequences, but eternal death, and thus separation from God forever. However if you submit yourselves too righteousness in obedience to Christ then you will be slaves of righteousness. And so this principal which seems so simple and straightforward, yet sadly is often overlooked by believers, as God's grace, which is to be front and center when it comes to salvation, is sometimes misunderstood when it comes to our sanctification (consider Eph 4:17-24). Therefore do not be deceived into thinking that you can dabble in sin without any repercussions. For God is not mocked, for whatever a person sows that they will reap. "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Gal 6:7 Therefore we are to submit ourselves to righteousness in obedience to Him, and not to sin. For if you submit yourselves to sin, then you will become slaves of sin. However if you submit yourselves to Christ in truth, then you will become slaves of righteousness. For those who give themselves over to sin, only find themselves being slaves of sin. But if you give your heart and lives to Christ then sin has no more dominion over you (consider James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 John 5:18).
Vs. 17-18 Having warned us all about the perils of being slaves of sin; the Apostle Paul's tone changes here from that of exhortation too encouragement. And so though we were once slaves of sin, whether in thought, word, or deed. Yet in obeying from the heart "that form of doctrine", (i.e. the Gospel, and all it's related writings in the New Testament), we were set free from being slaves of sin, to being slaves of righteousness (vs. 17-18). Thus what is being stated here is each and every believers liberty through Christ, position In Christ, and now responsibility to Christ. Notice then that faith and obedience are intertwined. For believing does not just involve the mind (i.e. "mental assent"), it invokes the will! Thus the living out of the Gospel's truths must daily take place through our own individual persons. And so we each must renew our minds and submit our bodies to righteousness so that God's purposes for our lives might be accomplished through them (consider Rom 12:1-2).
Vs. 19-21 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
The Apostle begins here by briefly touching on why he was using this language of "slavery" to describe believers condition when they were under sin and law, and now afterwards as we are In Christ. It was because of the weakness of their flesh; that is they were still living carnally, and not as Christians freed from sin, and released from the Laws servitude should. And so not realizing their freedom In Christ from sin, and the strength of it, which is the Law (1 Cor 15:56). And so here the Apostle Paul is exhorting us all to live lives in accord with our new standing In Christ, and the incredible liberty we have from sin through Him. Thus the Apostle Paul choose to use the analogy of slavery to describe what happens to us when we submit ourselves either to sin or righteousness. For before salvation his readers were as a matter of life submitting themselves to sin, and so just as they had willingly done that, so now they were to willingly submit themselves (i.e. their bodily members) to righteousness, so that they might live holy lives (vs. 19).
For when we were slaves of sin sin we were "free" in regards to righteousness (Vs. 20). That is when sin was our master, we were only free in regards to righteousness because we were enslaved to sin. And so in reality we had no freedom, just bondage to sin, thus we reaped many woes and sorrows through it. That is why the Apostle Paul asks us in verse 21 to think back for moment on just what those dreadful days and empty nights without hope, peace and purpose were like, when he asks us: "What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death." (vs. 21) For truly the only fruit we had in those things of which we are now ashamed was nothing but personal miseries, many regrets, and much sorrow. For that is the fruit of sin, and the end of it, death (Prov. 16:25). And so yes we are ashamed of our past lives, and want nothing more to do with it. For in being forgiven our sins and released from being in bondage to them, we are not only eternally grateful to the Lord Jesus for the life that He has given and placed inside of us (2 Cor 5:17), but we also want to be outspoken in our praise and gratitude towards Him for saving us, yes, but also bold in warning others about the perils of sin, and just what Lord He has done to save us all from it (Job 33:27).
Vs. 22-23 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And so from slaves of sin, too slaves of righteousness, so God has transformed us. And so we have the good fruit of holiness in our lives, and the end, everlasting life. Thus there is no ambiguity about a believers liberty and freedom from sin In Christ. We have been freed from sin and death, and brought to life by the crucifixion death and resurrection life of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so we are new creations in Christ, fully brought to Spirit life, and recreated with new hearts and new minds to both do, and want to do, the will of God. A will which is most clearly revealed to us in His Word. Which not only brings the will of God to light for our lives, but also gives us the parameters in which we can work it out in our lives (Phil 2:12-13). For we have both the life of Christ (Gal 2:20), and the mind of Christ within us (1 Cor 2:16). And so our persons and lives are not only inexplicably bound up with His, but also in a mysterious way our lives are being directed by His. Therefore though not overriding our free-will, God is still working out His Will through our lives. For we were set from sin's bondage, and brought to life for the Lord Jesus Christ's purposes, and so we are slaves or bondservants of God, who willingly want to work with Him, in fulfilling His purposes in the earth.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Vs. 23
And so the way is made clear to us all. The Life of faith in, and obedience towards God through the Lord Jesus Christ which leads to holiness, and the end everlasting life. Or the "life" of sin and separation from God and it's end which is eternal condemnation. And so One Way is narrow, and at times difficult, requiring we not only exclusively believe/trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation. But we also follow Him in discipleship, surrendering our lives to Him, so that He might work out His purposes through them. The contrast then being a life lived in this world for the things and values of this world. Whether these are sinful pursuits and desires, or these are the innumerable things and pursuits that one tries to find meaning, purpose, fulfillment etc. for themselves in, apart from God. And so the One path is Christ centered, bringing the fruits of the Holy Spirit to bear through one's person and life, while the other is self-centered bringing nothing to bear but the "wisdom" of this world and the fruits thereof (James 3:13-18; 1 John 2:15-17). And so the One path leads us into true fulfillment bringing and bearing the fruits of righteousness and the abundance of life that God gives and manifests through us as He brings to liberty and life all who believe in His Son. While the other is an empty and vain life which only lives to to gratify one's fleshes lusts, impulses and sinful desires. And so the One path then leads to eternal glory, the other eternal ruin. Which path are you on?
And so the Apostle has no qualms in commanding us all that a life no longer under the Law, is not then a life to be lived in sin. For as the Apostle Paul warns here, if you submit yourselves to sin, then you will become slaves of sin (see John 8:34-36) which in the end only leads to death (Rom 6:23). Not bodily death (though that is apart of sins consequences, but eternal death, and thus separation from God forever. However if you submit yourselves too righteousness in obedience to Christ then you will be slaves of righteousness. And so this principal which seems so simple and straightforward, yet sadly is often overlooked by believers, as God's grace, which is to be front and center when it comes to salvation, is sometimes misunderstood when it comes to our sanctification (consider Eph 4:17-24). Therefore do not be deceived into thinking that you can dabble in sin without any repercussions. For God is not mocked, for whatever a person sows that they will reap. "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Gal 6:7 Therefore we are to submit ourselves to righteousness in obedience to Him, and not to sin. For if you submit yourselves to sin, then you will become slaves of sin. However if you submit yourselves to Christ in truth, then you will become slaves of righteousness. For those who give themselves over to sin, only find themselves being slaves of sin. But if you give your heart and lives to Christ then sin has no more dominion over you (consider James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 John 5:18).
Vs. 17-18 Having warned us all about the perils of being slaves of sin; the Apostle Paul's tone changes here from that of exhortation too encouragement. And so though we were once slaves of sin, whether in thought, word, or deed. Yet in obeying from the heart "that form of doctrine", (i.e. the Gospel, and all it's related writings in the New Testament), we were set free from being slaves of sin, to being slaves of righteousness (vs. 17-18). Thus what is being stated here is each and every believers liberty through Christ, position In Christ, and now responsibility to Christ. Notice then that faith and obedience are intertwined. For believing does not just involve the mind (i.e. "mental assent"), it invokes the will! Thus the living out of the Gospel's truths must daily take place through our own individual persons. And so we each must renew our minds and submit our bodies to righteousness so that God's purposes for our lives might be accomplished through them (consider Rom 12:1-2).
Vs. 19-21 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
The Apostle begins here by briefly touching on why he was using this language of "slavery" to describe believers condition when they were under sin and law, and now afterwards as we are In Christ. It was because of the weakness of their flesh; that is they were still living carnally, and not as Christians freed from sin, and released from the Laws servitude should. And so not realizing their freedom In Christ from sin, and the strength of it, which is the Law (1 Cor 15:56). And so here the Apostle Paul is exhorting us all to live lives in accord with our new standing In Christ, and the incredible liberty we have from sin through Him. Thus the Apostle Paul choose to use the analogy of slavery to describe what happens to us when we submit ourselves either to sin or righteousness. For before salvation his readers were as a matter of life submitting themselves to sin, and so just as they had willingly done that, so now they were to willingly submit themselves (i.e. their bodily members) to righteousness, so that they might live holy lives (vs. 19).
For when we were slaves of sin sin we were "free" in regards to righteousness (Vs. 20). That is when sin was our master, we were only free in regards to righteousness because we were enslaved to sin. And so in reality we had no freedom, just bondage to sin, thus we reaped many woes and sorrows through it. That is why the Apostle Paul asks us in verse 21 to think back for moment on just what those dreadful days and empty nights without hope, peace and purpose were like, when he asks us: "What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death." (vs. 21) For truly the only fruit we had in those things of which we are now ashamed was nothing but personal miseries, many regrets, and much sorrow. For that is the fruit of sin, and the end of it, death (Prov. 16:25). And so yes we are ashamed of our past lives, and want nothing more to do with it. For in being forgiven our sins and released from being in bondage to them, we are not only eternally grateful to the Lord Jesus for the life that He has given and placed inside of us (2 Cor 5:17), but we also want to be outspoken in our praise and gratitude towards Him for saving us, yes, but also bold in warning others about the perils of sin, and just what Lord He has done to save us all from it (Job 33:27).
Vs. 22-23 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And so from slaves of sin, too slaves of righteousness, so God has transformed us. And so we have the good fruit of holiness in our lives, and the end, everlasting life. Thus there is no ambiguity about a believers liberty and freedom from sin In Christ. We have been freed from sin and death, and brought to life by the crucifixion death and resurrection life of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so we are new creations in Christ, fully brought to Spirit life, and recreated with new hearts and new minds to both do, and want to do, the will of God. A will which is most clearly revealed to us in His Word. Which not only brings the will of God to light for our lives, but also gives us the parameters in which we can work it out in our lives (Phil 2:12-13). For we have both the life of Christ (Gal 2:20), and the mind of Christ within us (1 Cor 2:16). And so our persons and lives are not only inexplicably bound up with His, but also in a mysterious way our lives are being directed by His. Therefore though not overriding our free-will, God is still working out His Will through our lives. For we were set from sin's bondage, and brought to life for the Lord Jesus Christ's purposes, and so we are slaves or bondservants of God, who willingly want to work with Him, in fulfilling His purposes in the earth.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Vs. 23
And so the way is made clear to us all. The Life of faith in, and obedience towards God through the Lord Jesus Christ which leads to holiness, and the end everlasting life. Or the "life" of sin and separation from God and it's end which is eternal condemnation. And so One Way is narrow, and at times difficult, requiring we not only exclusively believe/trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation. But we also follow Him in discipleship, surrendering our lives to Him, so that He might work out His purposes through them. The contrast then being a life lived in this world for the things and values of this world. Whether these are sinful pursuits and desires, or these are the innumerable things and pursuits that one tries to find meaning, purpose, fulfillment etc. for themselves in, apart from God. And so the One path is Christ centered, bringing the fruits of the Holy Spirit to bear through one's person and life, while the other is self-centered bringing nothing to bear but the "wisdom" of this world and the fruits thereof (James 3:13-18; 1 John 2:15-17). And so the One path leads us into true fulfillment bringing and bearing the fruits of righteousness and the abundance of life that God gives and manifests through us as He brings to liberty and life all who believe in His Son. While the other is an empty and vain life which only lives to to gratify one's fleshes lusts, impulses and sinful desires. And so the One path then leads to eternal glory, the other eternal ruin. Which path are you on?
Scripture Quotation
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Additional Resources Consulted
Vs. 19 Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
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