Romans: Set Apart!

Romans 6:15-23

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he addresses humanity’s problem with sin (Rom. 1:18-3:20) and the way to salvation through Jesus (Rom. 3:21-5:21). Beginning in Romans 6, Paul emphasizes how to grow in our walk with Jesus. 

When Paul dealt with salvation through Jesus, he focused on God’s amazing grace. He explained that where sin increased, grace increased even more (Rom. 5:20). This truth about grace begged the question, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Rom. 6:1). Paul answers this with the strongest Greek negative translated, “By no means!” Now, in Romans 6:15, a similar question is asked. 

Romans 6:15
What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 

In Romans 6:1, the question was posed in a Greek tense that described habitual, ongoing actions—living a sinful lifestyle to emphasize God’s grace. Here in Romans 6:15, the grammatical structure refers to a single act of sin. In Romans 6:1, the issue was, “Can I just keep on sinning?” The real question now is: “What about an occasional planned sin—a one-time act, doing something I know I shouldn’t—a once-a-year drinking binge, an occasional sexual hookup, using AI to write my research paper, just this once?” Paul’s response remains the same: me genoito, “By no means!”

Romans 6:16
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 

Paul explains that whether you live a lifestyle of sin or engage in occasional acts of sin, you are considered “obedient slaves” to “whom you obey.” The word “slaves” is the Greek word doulos, which means “to be swallowed up in the will of another, to serve another to the disregard of your own interests.” Living as a slave to the sinful nature results in death—the old master of our sinful nature leads to the consequence of death. Paul is not suggesting that a believer will lose their salvation; rather, he asks, “Why would you want to follow the way that leads to death when you can surrender your will to obedience, ‘which leads to righteousness?’”

Thankfully, the believer has been informed and transformed! 

Romans 6:17-18
But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,  and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 

The “standard of teaching” here refers to the gospel—the “news of victory” through Jesus. Paul is thankful that the believers are no longer “slaves of sin” but have accepted the gospel “from the heart," meaning inwardly and wholeheartedly. Accepting the gospel, or more accurately, trusting in Jesus alone by grace, through faith, frees us "from sin” and creates a desire to live a right life before God. 

Now, Paul knows that using slavery as an illustration will break down at some point. He explains that he is using a human illustration to make a point and continues to make his point. 

Romans 6:19
I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.  

Before trusting in Jesus, our sinful nature produces sin, which leads to more sin. But now, because of Jesus, we surrender to obedience, which leads to sanctification. This is the first time Paul uses the word “sanctification” (Grk: hagiasmos). Let’s understand what it means.

Sanctification is defined as “to be set apart.” It is a lifelong process of dedicating ourselves to serving God. Sanctification means we continually commit to growing spiritually. We aim to surrender the members of our body (eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet, mind, emotions) to live in a way that pleases God—all by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Paul continues to use the illustration of slavery to make his point about sanctification or spiritual growth. 

Romans 6:20-21
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 

When our sinful nature controlled us, we lacked any desire to please God. We were too busy gratifying ourselves. Following the desires and passions of our sinful nature caused us to do and say things that, in hindsight, we are now ashamed of. The sinful nature leads to unhealthy habits, relationships, and lifestyles. And worst of all, a life controlled by our sinful nature results in death, which means separation from God forever. 

However, Jesus is the agent of change!  

Romans 6:22
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 

Jesus set us free from the control of our sinful nature and the destination of eternal death. Now, through Jesus, we are “slaves of God.” We desire to follow him and place ourselves under his leadership in our lives. Following Jesus results in the spiritual fruit of “sanctification and its end, eternal life.” Paul wraps up Romans 6 by emphasizing this truth. 

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

The word translated “wages” (Grk: opsonia) refers to a soldier’s pay or earnings. Here, it refers to the end result of an activity. The NET Bible uses the translation “payoff.”[1] The “payoff” of a life surrendered to the sinful nature is death—physical and spiritual. 

God gives us what we neither earn nor deserve. Eternal life is a gift of God’s grace, fully paid for by Jesus' work. He died for us, satisfying God’s wrath against sin, making us right with God, and reconciling us to him. Through Jesus, we enjoy abundant life today and eternal life forever! 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Romans 6:15-23. Focus on the powerful truth of Romans 6:23.

Talking to God: Are there “one-time sins” or hidden compromises in your life that you’ve justified under the cover of grace?

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