From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God
| << Romans 6:15 | Romans 6:17 >> |
What Does Romans 6:16 Mean?
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)
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 10
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: Salvation
Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Romans 6:16:
Ezekiel 20:23-26
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 >> |
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We are the servant of whomever we obey, under that one's authority. Whoever is the source of the morality we submit to becomes our sovereign. Serving sin makes one sin's slave—not an occasional mistake, but sin dominating one's life as a way of life, holding jurisdiction over skill, energy, and time. While works cannot save, stopping sin is required as evidence of true conversion. Those claiming to know Christ while breaking God's commandments are liars. When the great Master calls us out of slavery to sin, He makes us His slaves, obligated to live His way of righteousness. Having changed masters, we are expected to live like Christ, our Owner. Submitting indicates choices; liberty in Christ frees us to make the right choices through strenuous effort.