Romans 6:15

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Romans 6:15 (KJV): "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."

Context of Romans 6:15

This verse continues Paul's profound theological argument in the book of Romans concerning the relationship between sin, the Law, and God's grace. Having just declared that believers are "dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:11), Paul anticipates a potential misunderstanding. He poses a rhetorical question, similar to the one in Romans 6:1, but with a slightly different emphasis. Here, the question directly addresses whether freedom from the Law's condemnation (being "under grace" rather than "under the law") provides a justification or license to continue in sinful practices. Paul's emphatic response leaves no room for doubt.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Grace is Not License for Sin: The central message is an unequivocal rejection of the idea that God's grace encourages or permits continued sin. Being "under grace" means a new relationship with God, characterized by forgiveness and empowerment, not an excuse for moral laxity.
  • Freedom from the Law's Condemnation: Believers are no longer bound by the Mosaic Law as a means to achieve righteousness or as a system that condemns them for every transgression. Instead, they are under God's unmerited favor. However, this freedom does not negate the moral standards of God.
  • The Call to Holiness: While grace provides salvation, it also calls believers to a life of holiness and righteousness. Grace empowers transformation, enabling believers to walk in "newness of life" (Romans 6:4) rather than reverting to old patterns of sin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "God forbid" in the King James Version is a strong translation of the Greek phrase mē genoito (μὴ γένοιτο). This is a powerful, emphatic negative expression, best rendered as "May it never be!", "Absolutely not!", "Perish the thought!", or "By no means!" Paul uses this phrase frequently in his epistles (e.g., Romans 3:4, Romans 3:6, Romans 7:7, Galatians 2:17) to vehemently reject a false conclusion or premise. Its use here underscores the gravity of the misunderstanding he is correcting.

Practical Application and Significance

Romans 6:15 is vital for understanding Christian liberty. It clarifies that grace is not a cheap ticket to heaven or a license for moral indifference. Instead, it is the divine enablement to live a life pleasing to God. Because believers are no longer condemned by the Law, they are free to serve God out of love and gratitude, rather than fear. This verse challenges believers to examine their motives and actions, ensuring that their understanding of grace leads to greater devotion and pursuit of righteousness, not to a casual attitude towards sin. The transformative power of God's grace leads to a life of being "servants of righteousness" (Romans 6:18), not slaves to sin.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
Understanding Romans 7: The Struggle with Sin An Introduction to Romans: The Power of the Gospel 7 Major Themes in the Book of Romans The "Romans Road" to Salvation: An Exposition The Relationship Between Law and Grace

Cross-References

  • Titus 2:11

    ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

  • Titus 2:14

    Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

  • Ephesians 2:8

    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

  • Ephesians 2:10

    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

  • Romans 6:1

    ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

  • Romans 6:2

    God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

  • Jude 1:4

    For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
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