Meaning of Romans 6:15

This verse from Romans 6:15 directly confronts a potential misinterpretation of the doctrine of grace. Paul, having established in the preceding verses that believers are no longer slaves to sin due to their union with Christ in his death and resurrection (Romans 6:1-14), anticipates a dangerous logical leap: if we are no longer under the condemnation of the law, but instead live under the unmerited favor of God (grace), does this grant us license to continue in sin? Paul's emphatic "By no means!" (Greek: mē genoito) serves as a resounding rejection of this idea, clarifying that freedom in Christ is not freedom to sin, but freedom from sin's dominion and penalty.

Context and Background

The preceding verses (Romans 6:1-14) are crucial for understanding this statement. Paul has been explaining the implications of Christian baptism. He argues that through baptism, believers are symbolically united with Christ in his death and resurrection. This union means that the power of sin over them is broken, and they are declared righteous before God. The concept of "under the law" in this context refers to being subject to its demands and its penalty, which is condemnation for sin. "Under grace," conversely, signifies being recipients of God's undeserved favor, which liberates believers from sin's power and guilt. This section is part of Paul's broader theological argument in Romans demonstrating how salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and how this salvation transforms the believer's life.

Key Themes and Messages

The central theme is the misconception of grace as a license for sin. Paul forcefully refutes the notion that God's abundant grace provides an excuse for continued unrighteousness. Instead, the text emphasizes:

• The absolute prohibition of sin: The answer "By no means!" is unequivocal.
• The transformative nature of grace: True grace does not foster sin but empowers believers to live a life of righteousness.
• The distinction between law and grace: While the law reveals sin and its consequences, grace provides the means of deliverance from both.
• The believer's new identity: As those "under grace," their allegiance has shifted from sin to righteousness.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this verse is a vital safeguard against antinomianism (the belief that the moral law is not binding on Christians). It underscores that genuine faith in Christ leads to a desire to please God and live a life reflecting His holiness. The application is practical:

• Moral accountability: While not under the condemning power of the law, believers are still called to live according to God's moral standards, which are revealed in Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
• Gratitude and obedience: The understanding of God's immense grace should inspire deep gratitude, which naturally manifests in a desire to obey God's commands out of love, not obligation.
• Spiritual warfare: Recognizing the ongoing temptation to sin, believers are exhorted to actively resist it, knowing they have the power of God's grace to overcome.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Romans 6:15 fits within the overarching biblical narrative of redemption. Humanity's fall into sin brought them under the dominion of law and death. The Old Testament law, while holy, could not save but rather highlighted humanity's inability to perfectly keep it. The New Covenant, established through Jesus Christ, brings believers under grace. This grace is not merely forgiveness but a divine enablement to live a new life. The narrative moves from condemnation under law to liberation and transformation under grace. This principle is also seen in the prophets' foretelling of a new covenant where God's law would be written on believers' hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34), indicating an internal transformation, not a release from morality.

Analogies

• A pardoned prisoner: Imagine a prisoner who has been granted a full pardon. They are no longer under the sentence of the law that condemned them. However, this pardon does not mean they are free to commit more crimes. Instead, they are expected to live a law-abiding life as a free citizen, grateful for their release.
• A doctor's prescription: A doctor prescribes medication to cure a serious illness. The patient takes the medicine and is healed. The medicine (grace) has removed the illness (sin's dominion and penalty). The patient is now free from the sickness and is expected to live a healthy life, not to go back and intentionally expose themselves to the disease.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse resonates with several other biblical passages:

• Galatians 5:13: "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." This passage echoes the same warning against perverting Christian freedom into license for sinful indulgence.
• 1 Peter 2:16: "Live as free people, yet without using your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves." This verse similarly distinguishes true freedom from an excuse for wickedness.
• Titus 2:11-12: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." This passage explicitly states that God's grace trains believers away from sin and towards righteousness, directly supporting Paul's argument in Romans 6.
• 1 John 1:8-10: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." This passage highlights the ongoing reality of sin in believers' lives and the necessity of confession, implying that a life characterized by unrepentant sin is inconsistent with true faith and the experience of grace.