Romans 6:19

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Roman believers during a transitional phase in his letter, shifting from doctrinal explanation to practical application. He speaks as an apostle adapting his language to their current spiritual capacity.

The words — ἀσθένειαν (astheneian) literally means weakness, explaining why Paul resorts to physical metaphors. σαρκὸς (sarkos) literally means flesh, denoting the unregenerate human nature that previously dictated their actions.

The thread — The text's contrast between former slavery to impurity and present slavery to righteousness directly continues the body-part imagery of Romans 6:13. This redirection of earthly passions toward divine obedience also appears in 1 Peter 4:2 and Colossians 3:5.

Why it lands — The text commands readers to actively transfer their physical faculties from sin to righteousness. It requires a deliberate, ongoing choice to present the body as an instrument for holiness rather than impurity.

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

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Cross-references

Romans 6:13 Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.
1 Peter 4:2 Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
Ephesians 2:2 in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms.
Romans 6:16 Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?
Galatians 3:15 Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended.
Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.
Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.