Slavery and Salvation- Rom. 6:15-23

Unfortunately, it seems that with every passing week we are given a taste of what sin and its many effects are capable of in our world. Whether it is a horrific shooting spree in Las Vegas that kills dozens, scandal, bigotry, natural disasters, etc. these events/episodes stir something within each of us that cries out for salvation. In a fit of justified rage and grief many people cry out in times like this for something to be done! My friends, something has been done to totally rid the world of sin and its many implications. Something is, in fact, available to provide freedom from the root problem behind all of these travesties and in Romans 6, Paul provides a cohesive and well-organized study on the nature of salvation. In verses 6-7, Paul said “knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died has freed from sin.” In this verse, Paul introduces the idea that sin is death and slavery. These two concepts preoccupy the remainder of the chapter. In fact, in 6:8-14, Paul described how sin is death and that it is only by dying in Christ that people can be made truly alive. Today we look at the other analogy Paul draws—slavery—in verses 15-23. As Paul wraps up chapter 6, he describes how sin is slavery and shows how the only way out of servitude to this cruel master is to hand oneself over to another master altogether—God.

a. TWO PROGRAMS (LAW AND GRACE) 6:15a

Toward the end of Romans 6 Paul provides an answer to a question that may have been raised based on what he just finished saying in the previous passage—“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace” (6:14). Some may have believed that this statement opened the door to lawlessness. Paul’s take on the potential question is as follows: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?...”After all, if believers are no longer under the law, perhaps “anything goes.”

This is not unlike the question that Paul opened chapter 6 with—“What shall we say then Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” To this question, Paul answered sharply and proved that grace is not intended as either insurance or license. However, remember (how could you forget), repetition leads to retention; repetition leads to retention.

That said, the repetition here draws attention to the two programs available for people and their relationship to God—the law and grace. The “law” is the system of old that judged people worthy based on performance. Though we associate this system with the Jews of the Old Testament, EVERYONE without Christ is captive to this system and found guilty of its incredibly high standards—standards made even higher by Jesus Christ. “Grace” is the system that Jesus implemented. 

Knowing that none could measure up to the standard of the law, God offered grace to bring people up where they could never venture themselves—righteousness—and this through His Son. Such a gift cost Jesus everything and results in eternal salvation for all who believe in Him. Two systems, one infinitely better than the other. But the question still remains—“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?...””

b. TWO OPTIONS (DEATH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS)-6:15-16

Paul’s answer to this latest iteration of the same inquiry is just as sharp as before—“May it never be!...” (6:15b) (see also 6:2).

Though this leaves very little room for debate, Paul feels the need to explain. This he does by asking a question of his own (a very lengthy question at that…typical Paul)—“Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey…” (6:16a).

In the last passage (6:8-14), the state of people’s spirituality was identified by how their “instruments” were employed. Instruments used for sin lead to death. Instruments used for righteousness lead to life. Here, Paul draws a similar line of thought but employs this new analogy of slavery. However, before one can appreciate this analogy, people need to understand what slavery meant in Rome.

Slavery was one of the best known institutions in the ancient world. Almost 35-40% of Roman citizens were slaves in the first century! In other words, Paul’s analogy here would have been one that all of his readers could comprehend. Interestingly, the analogy fits especially well given that people in the ancient world could sell themselves into slavery. This is hinted at when Paul says “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey” (6:16a).

With this background firmly in view, Paul makes known that those who hand themselves over to be slaves of sin (obedient to sin), live a life resulting in death. In the Reformation spirit of this month, it is helpful to point out how Martin Luther understood the connection between sin and death. For Martin Luther sin was death, not just a weakness overcome with some kind of spiritual calisthenics or a minor issue to be worked out by personal effort or therapy. Sin was DEATH thereby requiring supernatural transformation to beat. Such can only come through the life-giving power of Jesus Christ. Those obedient to sin and enslaved to its power can only expect death. Paul teaches this in Romans 6, Martin Luther recognized this in the 16^th century, and we confirm it again today.

Thankfully, there is another option—“or of obedience resulting in righteousness?...” (6:16c). One can either be a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness. Obedience to the former leads to death. Obedience to the latter leads to righteousness and life. Delineating these two options is Paul’s answer to this question “can we sin since we are not under the law?” Those who ask this misunderstand and under-appreciate the problem of sin. Sin is death! Obeying it makes no sense for those who have been shown grace. What does make sense is obedience to God and his righteousness in response to grace He has made available.

c. TWO IMPLICATIONS (SUBMISSION AND SANCTIFICATION)-6:17-19

To enjoy the latter of these two programs (righteousness), on must transfer allegiance from sin to God. As Paul articulates this he introduces two implications of such a transaction—submission and sanctification. The new program of submission is identified in verses 17-18—“ But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness,…”.

It is difficult for us modern westerners to appreciate what Paul is saying here and what it must have meant to his original audience. In our world, especially in the United States, we prize our autonomy. This, no doubt, has been passed down from the humanist fathers of the Enlightenment that so shaped the western world and taught that the noblest human being is the one who is subject to nothing but his/her own rational considerations. In contrast, those in the first century accepted that all were under the control of outside powers—whether they be gods, fate, or heads of state. The biblical writers share this conviction in their understanding of almighty God. In fact, nowhere does Paul ever suggest that a person might be a slave to nothing. Instead, he teaches that either people are enslaved to sin or to God and his righteousness—there is no middle ground.

That said, those who are enslaved to the right master can expect a new program of submission and new results. 

Paul continues, “I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification…” Here, Paul teaches that those obedient to God and His teachings can expect new results. While the old master (sin) could only offer death, the new master (God and His righteousness) offers sanctification. This word denotes a process of being set apart from the world. In fact, the root of “sanctification” is the same for “holiness.” In other words, the correct program affords the greatest implication of all—growth toward godliness. “As Christians give themselves in slavery to righteousness, they will progress further and further on the path of becoming different from the world and closer to the Lord’s own holiness” (Moo, ZIBBC, 39).

d. TWO SUMMARIES (SLAVERY TO SIN AND SLAVERY TO GOD)-6:20-23

Paul concludes this passage with two summaries that help wrap up the entire chapter. First, he summarizes what the lost can expect as a result of their present condition—“… For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death,…” (6:20-21).

The lost are free in one sense but enslaved in another. They are free from God’s righteousness and yet enslaved to their sin (in fact Romans 1 says that they have been handed over to their sin). This results in death. Slavery to sin = death!

 “But now,” Paul continues, “having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification and the outcome, eternal life” (6:22). This verse successfully summarizes what believers can expect from their slavery to God. Belonging to God in this way is predicated on “having been freed from sin.” This phrase is a causal participial phrase that implies a past act with present implications. Because believers have been freed from the chains of sin in the past, they presently and forever belong to God. This results not in death, but in benefit. What is this benefit? There are two: present growth in sanctification and eternal life forever. What Paul summarizes here is infinitely preferred over the sinful program mentioned in the previous verses. 

To be sure that he has gotten through to his audience the differences there is between sin and righteousness, Paul reiterates (again) himself by means of a final verse in this chapter that (again) draws upon the same ideas as before (remember, repetition leads to retention). He says “for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (6:23).

 “Wages” is a word that means “provisions” and is often used for money paid for services rendered. All that sin pays the individual in return for his/her allegiance is death. However, “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When sin offers death, God offers life and this through Jesus Christ! It is really that simple!

So What?

The many problems our world faces are not ultimately caused by fumes, poor legislation, lack of education, the economy, etc. While certainly, in some cases, these things might exacerbate problems, ultimately, at its core, the world and its people are suffering from a bad case of sin. Sin is death and sin is slavery. Those individuals and institutions who sell themselves into the slavery of sin are beaten down, mistreated, and unsatisfied. Thankfully, life is available and another master can take ownership of our lives. Those individuals who hand themselves over to the Lord Jesus Christ are built up, transformed, and eternally satisfied.

The issues our world faces are, in their most fundamental sense, spiritual in nature. Therefore, what this world needs more of is Jesus and his followers who take the life-saving message of the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Who do you know that is still enslaved in their sin and buying time until their death? Who do you know that needs a new master?