Commentaries:
<< Romans 6:15 Romans 6:17 >>
Romans 6:16-19
We are seen here as the servant of the one we obey; we are under its authority. If man is the source of the morality we submit to, then man is our sovereign. As long as this sovereign agrees with God's standards, then idolatry is no problem. If we broaden this to include the state, whether democratic or socialistic, then the state is the sovereign. But in broadening the scope, the chance that idolatry will enter the equation also increases.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The First Commandment (1997)Related Topics: Idolatry | Slave of Christ | Slave of Righteousness | Slave of Sin | Slave of Unrighteousness | Slavery | Slavery to Satan | Slavery to Sin | Slavery to the World | Submission to God | Submission to God's Will
Romans 6:15-16
Obedience is submission. In the context of this verse, if one serves sin, then he is sin's slave. Sin is the master. This does not mean making an occasional mistake, falling short of the mark, or wandering from the way. Paul is referring to sin that is dominating the life, that is lived in as a way of life. If a person is in that position, the master—sin—has jurisdiction over his skill, energy, and time.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Passover and I Corinthians 10Related Topics: Bondage | Bondage to Sin | Bondage, Release from | Bondage, Spiritual | Obedience | Sin, Bondage to | Sin, Slavery to | Slave of Sin | Slavery | Slavery to Sin
Romans 6:12-16
Is that not strong, plain language? "Certainly not" is translated as "God forbid," "perish the thought," or "may it never be," in other Bibles. In his epistles, Paul uses this exclamatory expression in relation to sin sixty times! Yet, this world's Christianity has succeeded in communicating to it adherents one of the most devastating of all false doctrines—that the works of keeping God's commandments are not required! They insidiously twist the truth that, though works most assuredly cannot save a person, stopping sin in one's life is absolutely required to provide evidence that one is indeed a Christian, to bring glory to God, and to grow. Jesus Christ died to provide forgiveness of sin. Therefore, if a person persists in sin following his forgiveness, he is trampling "the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified [as] a common thing, and insult[ing] the Spirit of grace" (Hebrews 10:29).
John W. Ritenbaugh
Communication and Leaving Babylon (Part Three)
Romans 6:15-16
To receive salvation, a Christian must now live a life of obedience to the law of God. Those who claim that they know Christ and still continue in a life of breaking God's commandments are liars.
Earl L. Henn
Basic Doctrines: SalvationOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing Romans 6:16:
Romans 7:19-23
Romans 9:19-24
Galatians 4:7
2 Timothy 2:26
Revelation 2:14-15
Revelation 12:10-11
<< Romans 6:15 Romans 6:17 >>
Join 135,000+ readers
A Verse and a Thought, Every Morning
The Berean delivers one scripture and a short, insightful commentary to your inbox each day — a starting point for reflection and study.
What Does Romans 6:16 Mean?
Whoever one obeys becomes one's master, placing the servant under that authority. When man is the source of the morality submitted to, man becomes sovereign. As long as this sovereign agrees with God's standards, idolatry poses no problem. Broadening this authority to include the state, whether democratic or socialistic, makes the state the sovereign. Yet as the scope of authority widens, the likelihood that idolatry enters the equation also increases.