Source Scripture
Read the passage first. Study notes begin after the Scripture.
Romans 6:1-15
1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Question in context
Romans 6 frames the question with sin, death, and newness of life. Paul rejects continuing in sin both before and after verse 14, so grace cannot be used as permission for the transgression from which believers are being delivered.
What the passage itself says
- The chapter opens by rejecting the idea that grace should produce continued sin.
- Verse 14 speaks of sin no longer having dominion; the controlling contrast is bondage to sin versus life under grace.
- Verse 15 repeats the question and answers it with the same emphatic rejection, protecting grace from a lawless interpretation.
Immediate and confirming witnesses
Read these passages with the source Scripture to follow the immediate and confirming context.
- Immediate explanation: Romans 6:12-13,15
The surrounding verses identify sin's dominion as the problem and immediately reject sinning because believers are under grace. - Lexical usage: Galatians 5:18
Paul uses not under law in a Spirit-versus-flesh context, not as permission to disregard commandments. - Prophetic purpose: Ezekiel 36:26-27
The promised Spirit causes YAHUAH's people to walk in His statutes and judgments. - Apostolic confirmation: Titus 2:11-14
Grace teaches righteous living and forms a purified people zealous for good works.
Related Words in Context
Continue with these related Scripture studies.
- Romans 6:14: Not Under Law Means Not Under Sin's Dominion
Not under law means sin and condemnation no longer rule you, not that commandments no longer matter.