Romans 6:14

KJV

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} sin {G266} shall {G2961} not {G3756} have dominion over {G2961} you {G5216}: for {G1063} ye are {G2075} not {G3756} under {G5259} the law {G3551}, but {G235} under {G5259} grace {G5485}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For sin will not have authority over you; because you are not under legalism but under grace.

Berean Standard Bible

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

American Standard Version

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 6:14 stands as a pivotal declaration of the believer's new reality in Christ, proclaiming liberation from the oppressive power of sin. It succinctly articulates the profound shift from a life lived under the demands of the Mosaic Law to one empowered by God's unmerited favor, establishing the foundation for a transformed and righteous existence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic assertion in a crucial section of Paul's letter to the Romans, specifically [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ"). Paul has been addressing the logical, yet erroneous, conclusion that if God's grace abounds where sin increases ([Romans 5:20](/romans/5-20 "Romans 5:20 - Grace Abounds")), then believers should continue in sin to experience more grace ([Romans 6:1](/romans/6-1 "Romans 6:1 - Shall We Continue in Sin?")). He emphatically refutes this, explaining that believers have died to sin through their union with Christ in baptism ([Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - United with Christ in Death and Resurrection")), and are now to "reckon" themselves dead to sin but alive to God ([Romans 6:11](/romans/6-11 "Romans 6:11 - Reckon Yourselves Dead to Sin")). Romans 6:14 provides the theological underpinning for this new ethical imperative, assuring believers that their freedom from sin's mastery is a divine guarantee, not merely a human aspiration. The subsequent verses then call for believers to present themselves as instruments of righteousness, not sin ([Romans 6:13](/romans/6-13 "Romans 6:13 - Present Yourselves to God")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's audience in Rome included both Jewish and Gentile Christians. For Jewish believers, the concept of being "under the law" (referring primarily to the Mosaic Law) was deeply ingrained in their identity and understanding of righteousness. They would have understood the Law as God's divine revelation, intended to guide Israel. However, Paul consistently argues that while the Law is holy and good, it could not provide righteousness or deliver from sin's power ([Romans 7:7-12](/romans/7-7-12 "Romans 7:7-12 - The Law is Holy, but Reveals Sin")). For Gentiles, who were not historically bound by the Mosaic Law, the contrast between "law" and "grace" still resonated, as they too were under the dominion of sin, either through pagan practices or a general failure to live up to innate moral standards. The concept of "dominion" (κυριεύω - *kyrieúō*) would have been understood in terms of master-slave relationships, a pervasive social reality in the Roman world, making the imagery of sin as a master particularly potent. Paul's declaration signifies a radical shift in allegiance and ultimate authority.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes significantly to several major themes in Romans and Paul's broader theology. Foremost is the theme of **Justification by Grace Through Faith**, which Paul elaborates on in [Romans 3-5](/romans/3-5 "Romans 3-5 - Justification by Faith"). Romans 6:14 extends this, showing that justification is not just a legal declaration but leads to an empowered life. It powerfully develops the theme of **Freedom from Sin's Dominion**, asserting that believers are no longer enslaved to sin's power, a direct consequence of their union with Christ's death and resurrection. This freedom is contrasted with the **Inability of the Law to Justify or Sanctify**, highlighting that while the Law reveals sin ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law and Knowledge of Sin")), it cannot provide the power to overcome it. Instead, the verse introduces and elevates the theme of **Life Under Grace**, emphasizing God's unmerited favor as the new sphere of existence, which provides both forgiveness and the enabling power for righteous living. This grace is not a license for sin, but the very means by which believers are empowered to live righteously, as Paul explains in [Titus 2:11-12](/titus/2-11-12 "Titus 2:11-12 - Grace Teaches Us to Deny Ungodliness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sin (Greek, _hamartía'_):** From G266, meaning "a sin (properly abstract)." In this context, *hamartía* refers not merely to individual acts of transgression but to the pervasive, indwelling power or principle of sin that holds humanity in bondage. Paul personifies sin as a master or tyrant from whom believers are now freed.
* **have dominion over (Greek, _kyrieúō'_):** From G2961, meaning "to rule, have dominion over, lord, be lord of, exercise lordship over." This word emphasizes authority and control. The declaration that sin "shall not have dominion over you" signifies that sin's mastery, its right and power to rule over the believer, has been decisively broken through Christ.
* **law (Greek, _nómos'_):** From G3551, meaning "law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), regulation, specially, (of Moses...); or figuratively (a principle)." Here, *nómos* refers specifically to the Mosaic Law, the covenant of works that demands perfect obedience. Being "under the law" means one's standing before God is determined by adherence to its commands, a system that ultimately condemned due to humanity's inability to perfectly fulfill it.
* **grace (Greek, _cháris'_):** From G5485, meaning "graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act... especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude." *Cháris* signifies God's unmerited favor, His benevolent disposition and active enablement towards humanity. Being "under grace" means living in the sphere of God's unearned favor and divine empowerment, which provides both forgiveness and the power for righteous living.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For sin shall not have dominion over you:"** This clause is a powerful declaration of spiritual freedom. It asserts that the power of sin, which once held humanity in its grip, no longer holds tyrannical authority over believers. The future tense "shall not have dominion" is a divine promise and a certain reality for those united with Christ. It implies that believers are no longer slaves to sin's impulses but are empowered to resist and overcome them.
* **"for ye are not under the law,"** This explains *why* sin no longer has dominion. To be "under the law" means to live under a system where one's righteousness and standing before God are based on perfect obedience to divine commands. The Law, while holy, revealed sin and condemned humanity, but could not provide the power to escape sin's control. It exposed the problem but offered no solution for empowerment.
* **"but under grace."** This clause presents the alternative and the solution. Being "under grace" means living in the sphere of God's unmerited favor, freely given through Jesus Christ. This grace provides not only forgiveness for sins but also the divine enablement and power through the Holy Spirit to live a life pleasing to God. It is a state of divine favor and empowerment that liberates believers from the condemnation and power of sin, enabling them to walk in newness of life.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey his profound theological truth in [Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Romans 6:14 - Free from Sin's Dominion"). The most prominent is **Contrast**, setting "law" against "grace" and "sin's dominion" against freedom. This stark juxtaposition highlights the radical difference between the old covenant and the new, emphasizing the superiority and liberating power of God's grace. Paul also uses **Personification** when he speaks of "sin" as having "dominion." By attributing the human characteristic of ruling or mastery to an abstract concept like sin, he vividly portrays sin as a tyrannical power that once enslaved humanity. The phrase "shall not have dominion" is a strong **Declaration** or **Assurance**, conveying certainty and divine promise to the believers, rather than a mere exhortation. This declarative tone instills confidence in the truth of their new spiritual status.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 6:14 encapsulates a core tenet of Pauline theology: the radical shift in the believer's relationship with sin and God's law, made possible by divine grace. It underscores that salvation is not merely a legal pardon but a transformative liberation from sin's enslaving power. This freedom is not earned by human effort or adherence to rules, but is a gift of God's unmerited favor, providing both justification and the power for sanctification. The verse highlights that the Law, while revealing sin, could not provide the means to overcome it; rather, it is through grace, mediated by Christ and empowered by the Spirit, that true righteousness and freedom are realized. This truth forms the basis for Christian ethics, motivating believers to live righteously not out of obligation, but out of gratitude and empowered obedience.

* [Romans 7:6](/romans/7-6 "Romans 7:6 - Delivered from the Law")
* [Galatians 5:18](/galatians/5-18 "Galatians 5:18 - Led by the Spirit, Not Under the Law")
* [John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Makes You Free")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 6:14 is a profound source of assurance and a call to embrace the reality of our new identity in Christ. It assures us that we are no longer helpless victims of sin's power, nor are we bound by the impossible demands of the Law to earn our salvation or sanctification. Our justification and the ongoing process of sanctification are rooted entirely in God's unmerited favor through Jesus Christ. Living "under grace" means actively relying on the Holy Spirit's power to overcome temptation and to walk in righteousness, rather than striving in our own strength or attempting to earn God's favor through works. This understanding cultivates deep gratitude, humility, and a genuine desire to live in obedience and holiness, not out of legalistic obligation or fear of punishment, but as a loving, responsive act of worship to the God who has so graciously saved, freed, and empowered us. It reminds us that the battle against sin is fought from a position of victory, not defeat.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you still feel sin attempting to exert "dominion" over you, and how does the truth of Romans 6:14 empower you to resist?**
* **How does understanding the difference between being "under the law" and "under grace" change your approach to daily spiritual living and obedience?**
* **If grace is God's unmerited favor and divine enablement, how can you more fully lean into this grace for practical victory over sin?**

### FAQ

**Does being "under grace" mean I can sin freely without consequences?**

Answer: Absolutely not. Paul directly addresses this misconception in [Romans 6:1-2](/romans/6-1-2 "Romans 6:1-2 - Shall We Continue in Sin?"), asking, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid!" Being "under grace" means you are freed *from* sin's dominion, not *for* sinning. Grace provides the power to say no to sin and to live righteously, as [Titus 2:11-12](/titus/2-11-12 "Titus 2:11-12 - Grace Teaches Us") teaches: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." The freedom found in Christ is a freedom to serve God, not to indulge the flesh.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 6:14 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's grace and the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law")). It is through His sacrificial death that the power of sin was decisively broken, and through His resurrection that believers are raised to walk in newness of life, no longer enslaved to sin's dominion ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ Died to Sin Once")). Christ did what the Law could not: He perfectly fulfilled its righteous requirements and bore its curse, thereby liberating those who trust in Him from its condemnation ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). He is the one who provides the divine enablement—the grace—through the indwelling Holy Spirit, empowering believers to live righteously and obey God from the heart ([Romans 8:2-4](/romans/8-2-4 "Romans 8:2-4 - The Law of the Spirit of Life")). Therefore, the promise that "sin shall not have dominion over you" is a direct result of Christ's finished work and His ongoing reign as Lord, making Him the source and sustainer of our freedom and new life under grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Galatians 5:18

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Romans 8:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 7:4

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, [even] to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Romans 7:11

For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew [me].

Hebrews 8:10

For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Romans 6:12

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Galatians 4:4

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,