CINXE.COM

Romans 6:15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 6:15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/6-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/45_Rom_06_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 6:15 - The Wages of Sin" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/romans/6-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/6-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/romans/">Romans</a> > <a href="/romans/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/6-14.htm" title="Romans 6:14">&#9668;</a> Romans 6:15 <a href="/romans/6-16.htm" title="Romans 6:16">&#9658;</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible">&nbsp;Audio&nbsp;</a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References">&nbsp;Cross&nbsp;</a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible">&nbsp;Study&nbsp;</a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary">&nbsp;Comm&nbsp;</a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon">&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;</a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/romans/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">&nbsp; (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/romans/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/romans/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Well then, since God&#8217;s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/romans/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/romans/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Never may it be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/romans/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/romans/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/romans/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />What then? Are we to sin because we are not under the Law but under grace? Far from it!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/romans/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/romans/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/romans/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/romans/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />What then [are we to conclude]? Shall we sin because we are not under Law, but under [God&#8217;s] grace? Certainly not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/romans/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Absolutely not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/romans/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/romans/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/romans/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />What does all this mean? Does it mean we are free to sin, because we are ruled by God's gift of undeserved grace and not by the Law? Certainly not! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/romans/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/romans/6.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />Then what is the implication? Should we sin because we are not controlled by laws but by God's favor? That's unthinkable!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/romans/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />What, then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law but under God's grace? By no means! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/romans/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />What, then, does this mean? Should we go on sinning because we are not under Law but under grace? Of course not! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/romans/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/romans/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/romans/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />What then? Should we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Absolutely not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/romans/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? By no means.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Are we therefore to sin because we are no longer under the authority of Law, but under grace? No, indeed!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/romans/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/romans/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />What then? Will we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Let it not be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/romans/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Never may it be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/romans/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> What then? shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? let it not be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/romans/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace It may not be.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/romans/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/romans/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />What is next? Should we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace? Let it not be so!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/romans/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Of course not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/romans/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/romans/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace? Far be it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />What, therefore? Shall we sin because we are not under The Written Law but under grace? God forbid!<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/romans/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? It can not be.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/romans/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />What then? can we commit sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? it could not be so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/romans/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/romans/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under the gospel?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/romans/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Are we therefore to sin because we are no longer under the authority of Law, but under grace? No, indeed!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/romans/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />What, then? May we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? It could not be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/romans/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/romans/6-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=1437" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/romans/6.htm">The Wages of Sin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14</span>For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">What</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">then?</a> <a href="/greek/264.htm" title="264: hamart&#275;s&#333;men (V-ASA-1P) -- Perhaps from a and the base of meros; properly, to miss the mark, i.e. to err, especially to sin.">Shall we sin</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">because</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: esmen (V-PIA-1P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">we are</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/5259.htm" title="5259: hypo (Prep) -- A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).">under</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/5259.htm" title="5259: hypo (Prep) -- A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).">under</a> <a href="/greek/5485.htm" title="5485: charin (N-AFS) -- From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.">grace?</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: m&#275; (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: genoito (V-AOM-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">Certainly not!</a> </span> <span class="reftext">16</span>Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Galatians 5:13</a></span><br />For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">1 Corinthians 6:12</a></span><br />&#8220;Everything is permissible for me,&#8221; but not everything is beneficial. &#8220;Everything is permissible for me,&#8221; but I will not be mastered by anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-16.htm">1 Peter 2:16</a></span><br />Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-17.htm">Galatians 2:17</a></span><br />But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-23.htm">1 Corinthians 10:23</a></span><br />&#8220;Everything is permissible,&#8221; but not everything is beneficial. &#8220;Everything is permissible,&#8221; but not everything is edifying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/2-11.htm">Titus 2:11-12</a></span><br />For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. / It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a></span><br />It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-4.htm">1 John 3:4-6</a></span><br />Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness. / But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. / No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-21.htm">1 Corinthians 9:21</a></span><br />To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-26.htm">Hebrews 10:26</a></span><br />If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-34.htm">John 8:34</a></span><br />Jesus replied, &#8220;Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-19.htm">2 Peter 2:19</a></span><br />They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19</a></span><br />Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-10</a></span><br />For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast. / For we are God&#8217;s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-20</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. / So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.</p><p class="hdg">What.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-9.htm">Romans 3:9</a></b></br> What then? are we better <i>than they</i>? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;</p><p class="hdg">shall we.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Romans 6:1,2</a></b></br> What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/9-20.htm">1 Corinthians 9:20,21</a></b></br> And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/7-1.htm">2 Corinthians 7:1</a></b></br> Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Far</a> <a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/romans/6-11.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Law</a> <a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Means</a> <a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Thought</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/9-21.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Far</a> <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/romans/11-5.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/romans/7-1.htm">Law</a> <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Means</a> <a href="/romans/6-16.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Thought</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/6-1.htm">We may not live in sin;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/6-2.htm">for we are dead unto it;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/6-3.htm">as appears by our baptism.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/6-12.htm">Let not sin reign anymore;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/6-18.htm">because we have yielded ourselves to the service of righteousness;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/romans/6-23.htm">and because death is the wages of sin.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/romans/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>What then?</b><br>This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, a common technique used by Paul to engage his audience and provoke thought. It signals a transition from the previous discussion about grace and sin, inviting readers to consider the implications of living under grace.<p><b>Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace?</b><br>Paul addresses a potential misunderstanding of grace. The law, given through Moses, was a central part of Jewish life, serving as a guide for moral and religious conduct. With the advent of grace through Jesus Christ, believers are no longer bound by the law for salvation. However, Paul anticipates the argument that this freedom might lead to moral laxity. This reflects a tension in early Christianity between Jewish Christians who adhered to the law and Gentile converts who did not. The question underscores the transformative power of grace, which does not encourage sin but empowers believers to live righteously.<p><b>Certainly not!</b><br>Paul's emphatic rejection of the idea that grace permits sin highlights the ethical demands of the Christian life. This phrase echoes his earlier response in <a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Romans 6:2</a>, reinforcing the message that grace leads to holiness, not lawlessness. The Greek phrase "me genoito" is a strong expression of disapproval, emphasizing that grace is not a license to sin but a call to live in the newness of life. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God's grace leads to transformation and sanctification, as seen in passages like <a href="/titus/2-11.htm">Titus 2:11-12</a>, which speaks of grace teaching us to live godly lives.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_roman_church.htm">The Roman Church</a></b><br>The recipients of the letter, the Roman Christians were a diverse group of Jewish and Gentile believers living in the heart of the Roman Empire.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a></b><br>Refers to the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil laws.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/grace.htm">Grace</a></b><br>The unmerited favor of God, a central theme in Paul's writings, emphasizing salvation through faith in Jesus Christ rather than adherence to the Law.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/sin.htm">Sin</a></b><br>The act of disobedience against God's commands, which separates humanity from God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_grace_and_law.htm">Understanding Grace and Law</a></b><br>Grace does not abolish the moral imperatives of the Law but fulfills them through love and obedience to Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/freedom_from_sin,_not_freedom_to_sin.htm">Freedom from Sin, Not Freedom to Sin</a></b><br>Believers are called to live in the freedom from sin's power, not to indulge in sinful behavior.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live righteously, guiding them in truth and helping them resist sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_as_new_creations.htm">Living as New Creations</a></b><br>Christians are new creations in Christ, called to live in a way that reflects their new identity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_in_community.htm">Accountability in Community</a></b><br>The Christian community plays a vital role in encouraging and holding one another accountable to live according to God's standards.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_romans_6_14_align_with_mosaic_law.htm">Romans 6:14 claims believers are &#8220;not under law but under grace.&#8221; How does this align with the Old Testament emphasis on strict adherence to the Mosaic Law?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_gal._5_1's_freedom_fit_doctrine.htm">How does Paul&#8217;s emphasis on freedom in Galatians 5:1 reconcile with religious doctrines that seem to impose constraints on personal liberty? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_christians_seen_as_hypocritical.htm">Are Christians often perceived as hypocritical?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_jesus'_advocacy_mean.htm">What does it mean that Jesus advocates for us?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15-23) <span class= "ital">Free</span> forgiveness! What does that mean? Freedom to sin? Far from it. That were to return into the old slavery. To yield to sin is to be the servant or slave of sin with its consequence--death. On the other hand, obedience and righteousness go together. Happily you have escaped from sin, and taken service with righteousness. Service, I say, using a plain human figure to suit your imperfect and carnal apprehension of spiritual things. Exchange the service of uncleanness for that of righteousness. I appeal to your own experience. You found that sin brought you no pay from your master but death. Now you are started upon a road that leads to sanctification and eternal life. This will be given you, not as wages, but as the free gift of God in Christ.<p>(15) The Apostle returns to a difficulty very similar to that which presented itself at the beginning of the chapter. The answer is couched under a slightly different metaphor. It is no longer death to the one, life to the other, but freedom from the one, service to the other. These are correlative terms. Freedom from sin implies service to God, just as freedom from God means service to sin. The same idea of service and freedom will be found worked out in <a href="/context/john/8-32.htm" title="And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.">John 8:32-34</a>; <a href="/john/8-36.htm" title="If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.">John 8:36</a>, and in <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm" title="Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.">Galatians 5:1</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 15, 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace!</span> (Does being under grace mean that we may allow ourselves in sin without being under sin's thraldom?) <span class="cmt_word">God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey</span> (literally, <span class="accented">unto obedience</span>)<span class="accented">, <span class="cmt_word"></span>his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?</span> This is not a truism, as it would seem to be if it only meant, "whoso servants ye become, his servants ye are." "Ye yield yourselves" (<span class="greek">&#x3c0;&#x3b1;&#x3c1;&#x3b9;&#x3c3;&#x3c4;&#x1f71;&#x3bd;&#x3b5;&#x3c4;&#x3b5;</span>, cf. ver. 13) denotes acts of yielding. "Ye are" (<span class="greek">&#x1f15;&#x3c3;&#x3c4;&#x3b5;</span>) denotes condition. The meaning is that by our conduct we show which master we are under; and we cannot serve two (<a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a>; <a href="/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13</a>; cf. <a href="/john/8-34.htm">John 8:34</a>, "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin;" and <a href="/1_john/3-7.htm">1 John 3:7</a>, "He that doeth righteousness is righteous"). The two incompatible services are here said to be of sin and of <span class="accented">obedience</span>, with their respective tendencies or results, <span class="accented">death</span> and <span class="accented">righteousness.</span> A more exact antithesis to the first clause would have been "of righteousness unto life;" life being the proper antithesis of death, and righteousness being afterwards said, in vers. 18 and 19, to be what we ought to be in bondage to. But though the sentence seems thus defective in form, its meaning is plain. <span class="greek">&#x1f59;&#x3c0;&#x3b1;&#x3ba;&#x3bf;&#x1fc6;&#x3c2;</span> means here specifically obedience to God, not obedience to any master as in ver. 16; and though in English "servants of obedience," as though <span class="accented">obedience</span> were a master, is an awkward phrase, yet we might properly say, "servants of duty," in opposition to "servants of sin;" and this is what is meant. It may be that the apostle purposely avoided here speaking of believers being <span class="accented">slaves</span> of righteousness in the sense in which they had been slaves of sin, because subjection to righteousness is not properly slavery, but willing obedience. He uses the expression, indeed, afterwards (ver. 18), but adds at once, <span class="greek">&#x1f00;&#x3bd;&#x3b8;&#x3c1;&#x1f7d;&#x3c0;&#x3b9;&#x3bd;&#x3bf;&#x3bd;&#x20;&#x3bb;&#x1f73;&#x3b3;&#x3c9;</span>, etc. (see note on this last expression). Death, "unto" which the service of sin is here said to be, cannot be mere natural death, to which all are subject. Meyer (with Chrysostom, Theophylact, and other ancients) takes it to mean <span class="accented">eternal</span> death, as the <span class="accented">final</span> result of bondage to sin; <span class="greek">&#x3b4;&#x3b9;&#x3ba;&#x3b1;&#x3b9;&#x3bf;&#x3c3;&#x1f7b;&#x3bd;&#x3b7;</span>, antithetically correlative, being regarded as applying to the time of final perfection of the faithful in the world to come - "the righteousness which is awarded to them in the <span class="accented">judgment."</span> Seeing, however, that the word <span class="greek">&#x3b4;&#x3b9;&#x3ba;&#x3b1;&#x3b9;&#x3bf;&#x3c3;&#x1f7b;&#x3bd;&#x3b7;</span> is used throughout the Epistle to denote what is attainable in this present life, and that <span class="greek">&#x3b8;&#x1f71;&#x3bd;&#x3b1;&#x3c4;&#x3bf;&#x3c2;</span> is often used to express a state of spiritual death, which men may be in at any time (see additional note on ver. 12; and cf. <a href="/romans/7-9.htm">Romans 7:9, 10, 13, 24</a>; <a href="/romans/8-6.htm">Romans 8:6, 13</a>; also <a href="/john/5-24.htm">John 5:24</a>; <a href="/1_john/3-14.htm">1 John 3:14</a>), it is at least a question whether the final doom of the last judgment is here at all exclusively in the apostle's view. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/romans/6-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">What</span><br /><span class="grk">&#932;&#943;</span> <span class="translit">(Ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">then?</span><br /><span class="grk">&#959;&#8022;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Shall we sin</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7937;&#956;&#945;&#961;&#964;&#942;&#963;&#969;&#956;&#949;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(hamart&#275;s&#333;men)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_264.htm">Strong's 264: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps from a and the base of meros; properly, to miss the mark, i.e. to err, especially to sin.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="grk">&#8005;&#964;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we are</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7952;&#963;&#956;&#8050;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(esmen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="grk">&#959;&#8016;&#954;</span> <span class="translit">(ouk)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">under</span><br /><span class="grk">&#8017;&#960;&#8056;</span> <span class="translit">(hypo)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5259.htm">Strong's 5259: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">law,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#957;&#972;&#956;&#959;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(nomon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7936;&#955;&#955;&#8048;</span> <span class="translit">(alla)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">under</span><br /><span class="grk">&#8017;&#960;&#8056;</span> <span class="translit">(hypo)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5259.htm">Strong's 5259: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">grace?</span><br /><span class="grk">&#967;&#940;&#961;&#953;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(charin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5485.htm">Strong's 5485: </a> </span><span class="str2">From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Absolutely not!</span><br /><span class="grk">&#947;&#941;&#957;&#959;&#953;&#964;&#959;</span> <span class="translit">(genoito)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Optative Middle - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/6-15.htm">Romans 6:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/romans/6-15.htm">Romans 6:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/romans/6-15.htm">Romans 6:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/romans/6-15.htm">Romans 6:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/romans/6-15.htm">Romans 6:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/6-15.htm">Romans 6:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/6-15.htm">Romans 6:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/6-15.htm">Romans 6:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/romans/6-15.htm">Romans 6:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/romans/6-15.htm">Romans 6:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/romans/6-15.htm">NT Letters: Romans 6:15 What then? Shall we sin because we (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/6-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 6:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 6:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/6-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 6:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 6:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10