Bible Strands
Romans 6:20
For when you were slaves to sin, you were free of obligation to righteousness.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman believers immediately after using a human analogy to contrast their former lifestyle with their current calling. He writes this statement to explain their past spiritual condition before detailing the consequences of that former path in the following verse.
The words — The Greek δοῦλοι (douloi) translates literally to "slaves," while ἐλεύθεροι (eleutheroi) means "free." Paul juxtaposes these terms to show that prior allegiance to sin functionally removed any accountability to righteousness.
The thread — The same bondage concept appears in John 8:34, where Jesus states that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Paul reiterates the principle in Romans 6:16 by noting that obedience to any master determines which authority ultimately claims the believer.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge that their past devotion to sin carried no duty to pursue righteousness. It demands a clear-eyed recognition that abandoning that former state necessitates submitting to a new governing authority.
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
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Cross-references
- 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?
- John 8:34 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.