Romans 6:15

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Therefore, what conclusion should we reach? “Let’s go on sinning, because we’re not under legalism but under grace”? Heaven forbid!

Berean Standard Bible:

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!

American Standard Version:

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

What^{G5101} then^{G3767}? shall we sin^{G264}, because^{G3754} we are^{G2070} not^{G3756} under^{G5259} the law^{G3551}, but^{G235} under^{G5259} grace^{G5485}? God forbid^{{G3361}{G1096}}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Romans 6:15

Romans 6:15, "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid," is a verse that addresses a critical theological question in early Christianity. The Apostle Paul, the author of the Epistle to the Romans, is responding to a potential misunderstanding of his previous teachings about the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Some might have interpreted the freedom from the Mosaic Law as a license to sin, believing that God's grace would simply forgive all transgressions.

Paul emphatically rejects this notion with a strong negation, "God forbid." He emphasizes that believers are not to continue in sin just because they are under God's grace rather than the binding legalism of the Law. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the transition within the early Christian community from a Jewish background, where adherence to the Law was central, to a more inclusive faith that welcomed Gentiles who did not follow the Mosaic Law.

The themes of Romans 6:15 include the transformative power of God's grace, the expectation of moral living, and the rejection of antinomianism—the belief that grace negates moral laws. Paul is teaching that while believers are no longer justified by the works of the Law, they are called to a life of holiness and righteousness that reflects their new life in Christ. This new life is characterized by a commitment to God's will and an understanding that grace is not a permit for moral laxity but rather an empowering force for living a life that honors God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
   
3. Strong's Number: G264
   There are 96 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἁμαρτάνω
   Transliteration: hamartánō
   Pronunciation: ham-ar-tan'-o
   Description: perhaps from Α (as a negative particle) and the base of μέρος; properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin:--for your faults, offend, sin, trespass.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2070
   There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐσμέν
   Transliteration: esmén
   Pronunciation: es-men'
   Description: first person plural indicative of εἰμί; we are:--are, be, have our being, X have hope, + (the gospel) was (preached unto) us.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
7. Strong's Number: G5259
   There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑπό
   Transliteration: hypó
   Pronunciation: hoop-o'
   Description: a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3551
   There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: νόμος
   Transliteration: nómos
   Pronunciation: nom'-os
   Description: from a primary (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.
   
9. Strong's Number: G235
   There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀλλά
   Transliteration: allá
   Pronunciation: al-lah'
   Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5485
    There are 147 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: χάρις
    Transliteration: cháris
    Pronunciation: khar'-ece
    Description: from χαίρω; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):--acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).
    
11. Strong's Number: G3361
    There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μή
    Transliteration: mḗ
    Pronunciation: may
    Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1096
    There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γίνομαι
    Transliteration: gínomai
    Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
    Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.