From Slaves of Sin to Slaved of God

I. Everyone is a Slave to Someone

Should grace produce a low view of sin?

A. We should not be slaves to sin

Romans 6:15–16 NASB95

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?

1 Corinthians 6:19 NASB95

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

1 Corinthians 5:6 NASB95

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?

Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Romans 2. Freedom from Sin’s Slavery (6:15–23)

In both cases Paul’s reply probably reflects conversations and debates with Jewish or Jewish Christian opponents who proclaimed that his theology of grace undermined the necessity of obedience.

Remember, the charge of the Jews against Paul is that he is teaching that the law was to be ignored, that one could live their life apart from the law.

Galatians 6:2 NASB95

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:21 NASB95

to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.

I am reminded on the expression: you are what you eat.

B. We should be slaves to righteousness

Romans 6:17–18 NASB95

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.

2 Corinthians 4:4 NASB95

in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

1 Corinthians 4:4 NASB95

For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.

John 8:32 NASB95

and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Romans 8:2 NASB95

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

ἐδουλώθητε from δουλόω: it means slave, to enslave, to make someone a slave.