Romans 6:15
What does Romans 6:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 6:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 6:15 means
Anticipating another abuse, Paul asks: since we are not under law but under grace, may we then sin? Again, he answers with a firm no. Being under grace does not mean sin is harmless or permissible; it means a new allegiance has begun. Grace changes our relationship to sin entirely. The question exposes a heart that wants to test the boundaries rather than rejoice in freedom for holiness. Paul will now explain that everyone serves a master. The issue is not whether we will obey, but whom we obey. Grace transfers us to a new service that cannot coexist with deliberate sinning as a way of life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid.
KJV
King James Version · 1611What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What then? are we to go on in sin because we are not under law but under grace? Let it not be so.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862What then? shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? let it not be!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid!
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890What then? should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Far be the thought.
Context
This verse mirrors verse 1’s strategy: pose a faulty inference and reject it. It arises from the assertion in verse 14 that we are under grace, not law. To show that grace does not promote sin, Paul introduces the slavery metaphor in verse 16. He will trace two pathways—slavery to sin ending in death, and slavery to obedience leading to righteousness (verses 16–18). He will then thank God for the Roman believers’ change of master (verse 17) and urge them toward sanctification (verse 19).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jude 1:4
For there are certain men crept in privily, even they who were of old written of beforehand unto this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 9:20
And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
- 2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- Romans 6:1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
- Galatians 2:17
But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid.
- Romans 3:9
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin;
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