Bible Strands
Romans 6:15
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman church, responding directly to his own declaration in Romans 6:14 that believers are no longer under law but under grace. He anticipates a logical misstep regarding that new spiritual status.
The words — ἁμαρτήσωμεν (hamartēsōmen) translates literally as "shall we sin," and ὑπὸ νόμον (hupo nomon) means "under law." These terms structure the rhetorical question about legal versus gracious standing.
The thread — The same rhetorical pattern appears in Romans 6:1, where Paul asks if continued sin causes grace to multiply. The grace theme also anchors Titus 2:11 and Ephesians 2:8 as the unmerited basis of salvation.
Why it lands — The text explicitly rejects the premise that grace permits sin. It requires readers to abandon any assumption that freedom from law justifies continued disobedience.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Cross-references
- Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.
- Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
- Romans 6:1 What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase?
- 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- Jude 1:4 For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 9:20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law.
- Galatians 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not!
- Romans 3:9 What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.