The apostle concluded this section of his argument with a word of encouragement. Sin will no longer master the believer. The basic reason for this is that we are not under the Mosaic Law as the authority under which we live but under grace. Satan can no longer use the Law to hinder the believer"s progress (cf. Romans 3:23). God has redeemed us, not by the Law but by grace. We now live under that authority. Paul dealt with the tension this situation creates for the believer in chapter7. [source][source][source]
Usually "grace" refers to the principle by which God operates. Yet it also describes the sphere in which the believer lives, as here (cf. Romans 5:2), as "the Law" describes the old realm. "Under grace" is not, however, a condition in which we are free from any responsibility (cf. Matthew 11:28-30; Titus 2:11-12), as Paul proceeded to clarify in Romans 6:15-23. Neither was there no grace under the Mosaic Law. [source][source][source]
" Romans 6 is the classic biblical text on the importance of relating the "indicative" of what God has done for us with the "imperative" of what we are to do. Paul stresses that we must actualize in daily experience the freedom from sin"s lordship (cf. Romans 6:14 a) that is ours "in Christ Jesus."" [1][source]
Context Summary
Romans 6:12-23 - "sin Shall Not Have Dominion"
Standing with Christ on the resurrection side of death, we must present our whole being to God for His use. We have left forever behind, nailed to the Cross, the body of sin, Colossians 2:14, and henceforth must see to it that every faculty shall become a weapon in God's great warfare against evil. Let your powers be monopolized by God, so that there shall be no room left for the devil, Ephesians 4:27.
All serve some higher power, but which? Our real owner and master, whatever we may say to the contrary, is indicated by our life. We belong to the one whom, in a crisis, we obey. Service to sin leads to uncleanness, iniquity, and death. Service to God leads to righteousness, and that to sanctification, and that to eternal life. Run your life into the mold of holy precept, as the obedient metal into the sand-cast, Romans 6:17, r.v. We have our reward in the present consciousness of the life which is life indeed. [source]
Chapter Summary: Romans 6
1We may not live in sin; 2for we are dead unto it; 3as appears by our baptism 12Let not sin reign anymore; 18because we have yielded ourselves to the service of righteousness; 23and because death is the wages of sin
Greek Commentary for Romans 6:14
Shall not have dominion [ου κυριευσει] Future active indicative of κυριευω kurieuō old verb from κυριος kurios “shall not lord it over you,” even if not yet wholly dead. Cf. 2 Corinthians 1:24. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 6:14
Romans 6:13Instruments [ὅπλα] The word is used from the earliest times of tools or instruments generally. In Homer of a ship's tackle, smith's tools, implements of war, and in the last sense more especially in later Greek. In the New Testament distinctly of instruments of war (John 18:3; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 2 Corinthians 10:4). Here probably with the same meaning, the conception being that of sin and righteousness as respectively rulers of opposing sovereignties (compare reign, Romans 6:12, and have dominion, Romans 6:14), and enlisting men in their armies. Hence the exhortation is, do not offer your members as weapons with which the rule of unrighteousness may be maintained, but offer them to God in the service of righteousness. [source]
Romans 6:15Shall we sin? [αμαρτεσωμεν] First aorist active deliberative subjunctive of αμαρτανω hamartanō “Shall we commit sin” (occasional acts of sin as opposed to the life of sin as raised by επιμενωμεν τηι αμαρτιαι epimenōmen tēi hamartiāi in Romans 6:1)? Because (οτι hoti). The same reason as in Romans 6:1 and taken up from the very words in Romans 6:14. Surely, the objector says, we may take a night off now and then and sin a little bit “since we are under grace.” [source]
Romans 6:15Because [οτι] The same reason as in Romans 6:1 and taken up from the very words in Romans 6:14. Surely, the objector says, we may take a night off now and then and sin a little bit “since we are under grace.” [source]
Galatians 5:18 [] d The question is, which of these two powers shall prevail. If the Spirit, then you are free men, no longer under the law. Comp. Romans 6:11,Romans 6:14. [source]
Greek Commentary for Romans 6:14
Future active indicative of κυριευω kurieuō old verb from κυριος kurios “shall not lord it over you,” even if not yet wholly dead. Cf. 2 Corinthians 1:24. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 6:14
The word is used from the earliest times of tools or instruments generally. In Homer of a ship's tackle, smith's tools, implements of war, and in the last sense more especially in later Greek. In the New Testament distinctly of instruments of war (John 18:3; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 2 Corinthians 10:4). Here probably with the same meaning, the conception being that of sin and righteousness as respectively rulers of opposing sovereignties (compare reign, Romans 6:12, and have dominion, Romans 6:14), and enlisting men in their armies. Hence the exhortation is, do not offer your members as weapons with which the rule of unrighteousness may be maintained, but offer them to God in the service of righteousness. [source]
Christ put a stop to the law as a means of salvation (Romans 6:14; Romans 9:31; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14) as in Luke 16:16. Christ is the goal or aim of the law (Galatians 3:24). Christ is the fulfilment of the law (Matthew 5:17; Romans 13:10; 1 Timothy 1:5). But here (Denney) Paul‘s main idea is that Christ ended the law as a method of salvation for “every one that believeth” whether Jew or Gentile. Christ wrote finis on law as a means of grace. [source]
First aorist active deliberative subjunctive of αμαρτανω hamartanō “Shall we commit sin” (occasional acts of sin as opposed to the life of sin as raised by επιμενωμεν τηι αμαρτιαι epimenōmen tēi hamartiāi in Romans 6:1)? Because (οτι hoti). The same reason as in Romans 6:1 and taken up from the very words in Romans 6:14. Surely, the objector says, we may take a night off now and then and sin a little bit “since we are under grace.” [source]
The same reason as in Romans 6:1 and taken up from the very words in Romans 6:14. Surely, the objector says, we may take a night off now and then and sin a little bit “since we are under grace.” [source]
See Romans 4:15; Romans 5:20; Romans 6:14; Chapter 7; Galatians 2:16; 3:1-5:4 for Paul‘s ideas here briefly expressed. In man‘s unrenewed state he cannot obey God‘s holy law. [source]
d The question is, which of these two powers shall prevail. If the Spirit, then you are free men, no longer under the law. Comp. Romans 6:11, Romans 6:14. [source]