Romans 6:22
What does Romans 6:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 6:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 6:22 means
Now the contrast shines: having been set free from sin and enslaved to God, you have fruit leading to sanctification, and the end is eternal life. God’s ownership brings a new harvest—growth in holy character now and unending life with him in the future. Freedom from sin is not emptiness; it is fullness directed by God’s will. The trajectory has changed: instead of escalating lawlessness, there is deepening holiness. Instead of death as destiny, there is life. This verse shows the beautiful sequence of grace—liberation, new allegiance, present fruit, future consummation—all rooted in union with Christ Jesus.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But now, being free from sin, and having been made servants to God, you have your fruit in that which is holy, and the end is eternal life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And now, having been freed from the sin, and having become servants to God, ye have your fruit--to sanctification, and the end life age-during;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end life everlasting.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But now, having got your freedom from sin, and having become bondmen toGod, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end eternal life.
Context
Verse 22 delivers the positive alternative to verse 21’s shame and death. It summarizes the new status and its results: sanctification now and eternal life as the promised end. The next verse will encapsulate the contrast in memorable terms—wages versus gift, death versus life, sin versus God—placing Christ Jesus our Lord at the center of the blessing. This final statement will serve as both a warning and a gospel invitation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.
- Romans 7:4
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God.
- John 8:32
and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
- 1 Peter 1:9
receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
- Philippians 1:11
being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
- Romans 6:21
What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
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