15 What then? (A)Are we to sin because we are not under [a]the Law but under grace? [b](B)Far from it! 16 Do you not (C)know that the one to whom you present yourselves as (D)slaves for obedience, you are slaves of that same one whom you obey, either of (E)sin [c]resulting in death, or of obedience [d]resulting in righteousness? 17 But (F)thanks be to God that [e]though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that [f](G)form of teaching to which you were entrusted, 18 and after being (H)freed from sin, you became slaves to righteousness. 19 (I)I am speaking [g]in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just (J)as you presented [h]the parts of your body as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, [i]resulting in further lawlessness, so now present [j]your body’s parts as slaves to righteousness, [k]resulting in sanctification.

20 For (K)when you were slaves of sin, you were free in relation to righteousness. 21 Therefore what [l](L)benefit were you then [m]deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is (M)death. 22 But now having been (N)freed from sin and (O)enslaved to God, you [n]derive your [o](P)benefit, [p]resulting in sanctification, and (Q)the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of (R)sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is (S)eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 6:15 Or law
  2. Romans 6:15 Lit May it never happen!
  3. Romans 6:16 Lit to death
  4. Romans 6:16 Lit to righteousness
  5. Romans 6:17 Lit you were slaves...but you became
  6. Romans 6:17 Or pattern
  7. Romans 6:19 I.e., reluctantly using slavery as an analogy
  8. Romans 6:19 Lit your parts as
  9. Romans 6:19 Lit to lawlessness
  10. Romans 6:19 Lit your parts as
  11. Romans 6:19 Lit to sanctification
  12. Romans 6:21 Lit fruit
  13. Romans 6:21 Lit having
  14. Romans 6:22 Lit have
  15. Romans 6:22 Lit fruit
  16. Romans 6:22 Lit to sanctification

Slaves to Righteousness

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?(A) By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey(B)—whether you are slaves to sin,(C) which leads to death,(D) or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God(E) that, though you used to be slaves to sin,(F) you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching(G) that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin(H) and have become slaves to righteousness.(I)

19 I am using an example from everyday life(J) because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness(K) leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin,(L) you were free from the control of righteousness.(M) 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!(N) 22 But now that you have been set free from sin(O) and have become slaves of God,(P) the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.(Q) 23 For the wages of sin is death,(R) but the gift of God is eternal life(S) in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 6:23 Or through