Romans 6:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 6:15 presents a crucial rhetorical question posed by Paul, anticipating a dangerous misinterpretation of Christian liberty: "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." This verse emphatically refutes the notion that God's abundant grace provides a license for moral laxity or continued sinful behavior. Instead, it underscores that freedom from the Law's condemnation, a hallmark of being "under grace," compels believers to a higher standard of living, one characterized by willing obedience and pursuit of holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit, rather than by fear of legalistic judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 6:15 stands as a pivotal point in Paul's sustained argument regarding the believer's relationship to sin and righteousness, following his profound exposition on justification by faith in earlier chapters. Having addressed the question of whether believers should "continue in sin, that grace may abound" in [Romans 6:1-2](/romans/6-1-2 "Romans 6:1-2 - Shall We Continue in Sin?"), Paul has established that believers have died to sin's dominion through their union with Christ's death and resurrection. He exhorts them to consider themselves [dead to sin and alive to God](/romans/6-11 "Romans 6:11 - Dead to Sin, Alive to God") and not to let sin reign in their mortal bodies ([Romans 6:12](/romans/6-12 "Romans 6:12 - Do Not Let Sin Reign")). Verse 15 reintroduces a similar rhetorical question, but with a nuanced shift, now focusing on the implications of being "under grace" rather than "under the law," thereby addressing a potential antinomian conclusion that might arise from misunderstanding grace.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile converts, grappled with the implications of the Gospel for their daily lives. Jewish believers were accustomed to the Mosaic Law as the framework for righteousness, and understanding freedom from it ("not under the law") could be challenging. Gentile believers, often coming from pagan backgrounds with varying moral standards, might have been tempted to view grace as an excuse for licentious living, a common accusation leveled against early Christians. Paul's emphatic "God forbid" (μὴ γένοιτο) directly confronts these potential misunderstandings, asserting a radical moral transformation that accompanies genuine faith, distinguishing Christian liberty from mere permissiveness. The concept of "freedom" in the Greco-Roman world often implied autonomy without external constraints, which Paul carefully redefines as freedom *from* sin's tyranny *for* righteous living.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to the book of Romans. It highlights the **supremacy of grace** as the governing principle of the new covenant, contrasting it sharply with the **Law's inability to justify or sanctify** ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - No One Justified by the Law")). The verse also directly addresses the theme of **sanctification**, emphasizing that justification by grace is not an end in itself but the beginning of a life transformed by God's power. It clarifies the nature of **Christian liberty**, showing that true freedom is freedom from sin's power, leading to willing servitude to God, rather than an unbridled license for self-indulgence. This aligns with Paul's broader argument that believers are to present themselves as [instruments of righteousness to God](/romans/6-13 "Romans 6:13 - Present Yourselves to God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sin (Greek, _hamartánō'_):** This verb, G264, primarily means "to miss the mark," and figuratively, "to err," especially in a moral sense. In the context of Romans 6:15, it refers to the act of transgression against God's holy character and commands. Paul's question, "shall we sin," directly challenges the idea that being under grace somehow lessens the gravity or consequences of actively engaging in sinful behavior. It implies a deliberate choice to continue in patterns of disobedience.
* **God forbid (Greek, _mḗ genoito'_):** This powerful phrase, combining G3361 (_mḗ_) and G1096 (_gínomai_), is an emphatic negative expression meaning "May it never be!", "Absolutely not!", or "Perish the thought!" The Strong's data for G1096 explicitly includes "+ God forbid" as a usage. Paul employs this phrase repeatedly in Romans (e.g., [Romans 3:4](/romans/3-4 "Romans 3:4 - God Forbid!")) to vehemently reject a false conclusion or premise, leaving no ambiguity about his stance on the proposed idea that grace permits sin.
* **grace (Greek, _cháris'_):** This noun, G5485, signifies "graciousness" or "divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude." In Romans 6:15, "under grace" refers to the state of being under God's unmerited favor, where salvation and empowerment for righteous living are freely given through Christ, rather than earned through adherence to the Law. This grace is not passive but actively transforms and enables a new way of life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What then?":** This serves as a rhetorical transition, a common Pauline device (cf. [Romans 3:1](/romans/3-1 "Romans 3:1 - What Advantage Then Has the Jew?")) that anticipates a logical, albeit flawed, conclusion that someone might draw from his preceding arguments about freedom from the Law. It signals Paul's intention to address a potential misunderstanding head-on.
* **"shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?":** This is the core of the anticipated objection. It presents a false dilemma: if the Law no longer condemns, and grace abounds, does that mean moral boundaries are removed, and sin becomes permissible? The phrase "under the law" refers to a system of legalistic obligation and condemnation for failure, while "under grace" signifies a new covenant relationship characterized by God's unmerited favor, forgiveness, and empowering presence. The question implies a misunderstanding that freedom *from* the Law equates to freedom *to* sin.
* **"God forbid.":** This is Paul's unequivocal and emphatic rejection of the premise. It is a powerful interjection that leaves absolutely no room for misinterpretation. It underscores the profound theological truth that God's grace, far from being a license for sin, is the very power that liberates believers from sin's dominion and empowers them to live righteously.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's skillful use of **Rhetorical Question** is prominent in Romans 6:15, as it is throughout his epistles. By posing a question that anticipates a potential misunderstanding or objection, Paul engages his audience directly and then immediately provides a definitive answer, leaving no room for doubt. This technique not only clarifies his theological position but also serves to instruct and correct false assumptions. Furthermore, the verse employs a stark **Antithesis** or **Contrast** between "under the law" and "under grace." This juxtaposition highlights the fundamental shift in the believer's relationship with God, moving from a system of legalistic obligation to one of unmerited favor. Finally, the concluding phrase, "**God forbid!**" (μὴ γένοιτο), functions as a powerful **Exclamation** or **Apostrophe**, a vehement interjection that expresses absolute rejection and moral indignation, adding significant emotional and theological weight to Paul's refutation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 6:15 is a cornerstone for understanding the true nature of Christian liberty and sanctification. It powerfully asserts that God's grace is not a passive forgiveness that overlooks sin, but an active, transformative power that liberates believers from sin's dominion and empowers them to live righteously. The theological error Paul confronts here, often termed "antinomianism," misunderstands grace as a license for moral indifference. Instead, true grace, as revealed in Christ, compels a life of holiness, not out of fear of punishment or a desire to earn salvation, but out of gratitude for the profound gift of redemption and a desire to honor the God who has set us free. This verse clarifies that freedom from the Law's condemnation does not abolish God's moral standards but rather enables believers to fulfill them through the indwelling Spirit, transforming their desires and actions.

* [Romans 6:1-2](/romans/6-1-2 "Romans 6:1-2 - Shall We Continue in Sin That Grace May Abound?")
* [Galatians 5:13](/galatians/5-13 "Galatians 5:13 - Freedom for Service")
* [Titus 2:11-12](/titus/2-11-12 "Titus 2:11-12 - The Grace of God Teaches Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 6:15 serves as a timeless warning and a profound encouragement for believers. In a world that often misconstrues freedom as the absence of restraint, this verse reminds us that true Christian liberty is freedom *from* the tyranny of sin, enabling us to live in joyful obedience to God. It challenges us to examine our understanding of grace: do we view it as a divine "get out of jail free" card, or as the empowering force that transforms our desires and enables us to pursue holiness? If our understanding of grace leads to a casual attitude towards sin, we have fundamentally misunderstood the Gospel. Instead, the overwhelming reality of God's unmerited favor should ignite in us a fervent desire to live lives that honor Him, not out of legalistic compulsion, but out of profound love and gratitude. This verse calls us to actively present ourselves as instruments of righteousness, yielding to the Spirit's leading, and striving for a life that reflects the new creation we are in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might a misunderstanding of "grace" lead someone to believe it provides a license to sin?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to take God's grace for granted, or to use it as an excuse for moral compromise?**
* **How does true gratitude for God's grace motivate me to pursue holiness and obedience, rather than fear of punishment?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my freedom in Christ leads to greater devotion and service, not moral laxity?**

### FAQ
**Does being "under grace" mean we don't have to obey God's commands?**

Answer: Absolutely not. Paul's emphatic "God forbid!" in [Romans 6:15](/romans/6-15 "Romans 6:15 - Grace is Not a License to Sin") directly refutes this dangerous misconception. Being "under grace" means we are no longer under the Law's condemnation for our failures, nor do we seek to earn righteousness through our own efforts. Instead, God's grace empowers us to obey His commands, not out of legalistic obligation, but out of love and gratitude for what He has done for us through Christ. Grace provides the internal motivation and the divine ability, through the Holy Spirit, to live a life pleasing to God, fulfilling the righteous requirements of the Law from the heart ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled")).

**What is the difference between being "under the law" and "under grace"?**

Answer: Being "under the law" refers to living under a system where one's standing with God is determined by perfect adherence to the Mosaic Law. This system, while revealing God's holy character and exposing sin ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - By the Law Comes Knowledge of Sin")), ultimately leads to condemnation because no one can perfectly keep the Law. Being "under grace," conversely, means that our standing with God is based entirely on His unmerited favor and the finished work of Jesus Christ. We are justified by faith, not by works of the Law ([Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Romans 3:28 - Justified by Faith")). This freedom from the Law's condemnation does not lead to lawlessness but to a new relationship where the Holy Spirit enables us to live righteously, transforming our desires and empowering us to walk in newness of life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Walk in Newness of Life")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 6:15 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He perfectly lived under the Law, fulfilling its every righteous requirement, not to earn salvation for Himself, but to provide a perfect righteousness for those who believe ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfills the Law")). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Christ bore the curse of the Law, liberating believers from its condemnation and inaugurating the age of grace ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). He is the embodiment of grace, and it is through union with Him that believers are no longer "under the law" but "under grace." Furthermore, Christ's resurrection signifies the believer's new life, empowered by His Spirit, to walk in holiness. He is not only our justification but also our sanctification, enabling us to be [dead to sin and alive to God](/romans/6-11 "Romans 6:11 - Dead to Sin, Alive to God"). The very Spirit of Christ indwelling believers empowers them to say "God forbid!" to sin and to live lives that reflect the righteousness of their Savior, proving that grace is not a license for sin but the divine power for transformation ([Romans 8:2-4](/romans/8-2-4 "Romans 8:2-4 - The Law of the Spirit of Life")).

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

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.