Romans 6:20

KJV

For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} when {G3753} ye were {G2258} the servants {G1401} of sin {G266}, ye were {G2258} free {G1658} from righteousness {G1343}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in relationship to righteousness;

Berean Standard Bible

For when you were slaves to sin, you were free of obligation to righteousness.

American Standard Version

For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free in regard of righteousness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 6:20 powerfully articulates the pre-conversion state of humanity, describing individuals as utterly enslaved to sin and, paradoxically, "free from righteousness." This verse serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual bondage from which believers have been liberated by Christ, highlighting the complete dominion sin once held over their lives and their inherent alienation from God's holy standards. It sets the stage for Paul's subsequent explanation of the believer's new identity and calling to serve righteousness in Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 6:20 is situated within Paul's profound theological discourse on sanctification, following his robust explanation of justification by faith in earlier chapters. Having declared that grace abounds where sin increased ([Romans 5:20](/romans/5-20 "Romans 5:20 - Where Sin Abounded, Grace Abounded Much More")), Paul anticipates a crucial misunderstanding: if grace abounds with more sin, should believers continue in sin? His emphatic "God forbid!" ([Romans 6:2](/romans/6-2 "Romans 6:2 - Dead to Sin")) sets the tone for the entire chapter. Romans 6 elaborates on the believer's union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, signifying a decisive break from the dominion of sin. Verse 20 functions as a retrospective glance, contrasting the former state of slavery to sin with the new reality of being "made free from sin, and become servants to God" ([Romans 6:22](/romans/6-22 "Romans 6:22 - Servants to God")). It underscores the radical transformation that occurs at conversion, where a person moves from one master to another.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of slavery was pervasive in the Roman world, making Paul's metaphor of "servants" (δοῦλοι, *douloi*, meaning slaves or bondservants) immediately understandable and impactful to his audience in Rome. Slaves were considered property, entirely subject to their master's will, with no rights or autonomy. This societal reality provided a vivid illustration of the absolute dominion sin held over unregenerate individuals. Paul's audience, comprised of both Jewish and Gentile believers, would have understood the implications of being "owned" by something, whether a person or a principle. The Roman legal system also had concepts of freedom and obligation, making the phrase "free from righteousness" a powerful, albeit ironic, statement about their prior lack of accountability to God's moral law. This context emphasizes the total subjugation and lack of moral agency inherent in the pre-Christian life.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Romans and Paul's broader theology. Firstly, it highlights the **universal bondage to sin** that characterizes humanity apart from Christ, echoing themes of human depravity found in [Romans 3:9-18](/romans/3-9-18 "Romans 3:9-18 - All Under Sin"). Secondly, it introduces the paradoxical theme of **"freedom" from righteousness**, which is not a liberation but a terrifying absence of moral constraint and accountability to God, ultimately leading to spiritual death, as stated in [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin"). Thirdly, it sets up the profound **transformation of mastership** that occurs in salvation. Just as they were once entirely devoted to sin, believers are now called to be wholly devoted to righteousness and God, a concept explicitly stated in the contrasting declaration of [Romans 6:18](/romans/6-18 "Romans 6:18 - Servants of Righteousness"), where believers are "made free from sin, and became the servants of righteousness." This verse powerfully underscores the radical shift in allegiance and identity that defines the Christian life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Servants (Greek, _doûlos_'):** From δέω (deō), meaning "to bind," *doûlos* signifies a slave or bondservant. This term denotes absolute ownership and subjection, not merely a hired employee. It emphasizes that before conversion, individuals were entirely under the control and dominion of sin, obeying its impulses and dictates without true freedom or autonomy. Their will was enslaved to sin's desires.
* **Sin (Greek, _hamartía_'):** From ἁμαρτάνω (hamartanō), meaning "to miss the mark," *hamartía* refers to sin in its abstract sense – the principle or power of sin, not just individual acts. In this context, it is personified as a master, illustrating its pervasive and controlling influence over the unregenerate life. It represents the inherent human rebellion against God's will and nature.
* **Free (Greek, _eleútheros_'):** Probably from the alternate of ἔρχομαι (erchomai), meaning "to come, go," *eleútheros* describes being unrestrained, at liberty, or independent. Here, it is used paradoxically to mean "exempt from obligation or liability." When applied to "righteousness," it indicates a state where one was not bound by, accountable to, or even desirous of God's righteous standards. This "freedom" was not beneficial but indicative of spiritual alienation and moral anarchy.
* **Righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē_'):** From δίκαιος (dikaios), meaning "just, righteous," *dikaiosýnē* refers to equity of character or act, and specifically in Christian theology, justification. In Romans 6:20, it represents God's holy standards, His moral law, and the state of conformity to His will. To be "free from righteousness" meant to be unconstrained by, and indeed hostile to, God's just and holy requirements.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For when ye were the servants of sin":** This clause describes the past condition of believers before their conversion. The term "servants" (slaves) emphasizes the complete and involuntary subjugation to sin. It was not merely that they committed sins, but that sin itself was their master, dictating their desires, thoughts, and actions. This state implies a lack of true moral freedom and an inherent orientation away from God.
* **"ye were free from righteousness":** This is a striking and paradoxical statement. In their enslaved state to sin, they were simultaneously "free" from the demands, obligations, and influence of righteousness. This "freedom" was not a liberation but an absence of accountability to God's holy standards and a lack of desire for what is good and right. It underscores their alienation from God's moral character and their inability to live righteously apart from divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices to convey his message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where he likens the state of unregenerate humanity to being "servants" or "slaves" of sin. This vivid imagery powerfully communicates the absolute dominion and control that sin exerts over individuals, emphasizing their lack of autonomy and their complete subjugation to its impulses. Coupled with this is **Paradox**, evident in the phrase "free from righteousness." This seemingly positive "freedom" is, in fact, a negative and destructive state, highlighting the tragic irony that being unbound by God's holy standards leads not to true liberty but to deeper spiritual bondage and death. Furthermore, the verse implicitly uses **Antithesis** by setting up a sharp contrast between the past state of being enslaved to sin and free from righteousness, and the present state (as described elsewhere in Romans 6) of being "made free from sin, and become the servants of righteousness" ([Romans 6:18](/romans/6-18 "Romans 6:18 - Servants of Righteousness")). This rhetorical strategy underscores the radical transformation brought about by salvation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 6:20 is a cornerstone for understanding the profound theological truth of humanity's fallen state and the radical nature of salvation. It underscores that apart from God's grace, all people are inherently enslaved to sin's power, unable to genuinely choose or pursue righteousness. This is not merely a matter of occasional wrongdoing, but a fundamental orientation of the heart and will. The "freedom from righteousness" highlights humanity's moral bankruptcy and alienation from God's holy character, demonstrating the absolute necessity of divine intervention for redemption. It sets the stage for the glorious truth that through Christ, believers are not only forgiven but also liberated from sin's dominion and empowered to live a new life of righteousness, serving God rather than sin. This verse serves as a crucial reminder of the depth of human depravity and the immeasurable value of Christ's liberating work.

* [John 8:34](/john/8-34 "John 8:34 - Everyone Who Sins Is a Slave to Sin")
* [Ephesians 2:1-3](/ephesians/2-1-3 "Ephesians 2:1-3 - Dead in Transgressions and Sins")
* [Romans 6:18](/romans/6-18 "Romans 6:18 - Made Free from Sin and Servants of Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 6:20 calls us to a profound reflection on our past and a renewed appreciation for our present reality in Christ. It compels us to remember the spiritual bondage from which we have been delivered, fostering deep gratitude for the immeasurable grace of God. To truly grasp the meaning of being "servants of sin" and "free from righteousness" is to understand the depth of our former predicament—a life lived under the tyrannical rule of sin, devoid of true moral compass or desire for God's holy standards. This realization should ignite a fresh passion to live out our new identity as those who have been set free from sin and are now slaves to righteousness. It challenges us to actively yield our members as instruments of righteousness, consciously choosing obedience to God's will in every area of our lives, demonstrating the transforming power of the Gospel to a watching world. Our past "freedom" from righteousness was a curse; our present obligation to righteousness is our greatest blessing and privilege.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding your former "slavery to sin" deepen your appreciation for the freedom you now have in Christ?**
* **In what areas of your life might you still be subtly operating as if you are "free from righteousness," rather than embracing God's standards?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to more fully yield yourself as a "servant of righteousness" in your daily choices and attitudes?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "free from righteousness"?**

Answer: Paul's statement "free from righteousness" is a striking paradox. It does not mean that those enslaved to sin were morally superior or unburdened by moral demands. Rather, it means that they were completely independent of, unconstrained by, and unaccountable to God's righteous standards. In their unregenerate state, they had no obligation to righteousness, no desire for it, and no ability to achieve it. This "freedom" was not liberating but indicated a profound spiritual alienation from God's holy nature, leading ultimately to spiritual death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). It highlights the complete moral depravity and inability of humanity apart from divine grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 6:20 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity's former state of being "servants of sin" and "free from righteousness" underscores the desperate need for a deliverer. Christ is the one who breaks the chains of sin's dominion, offering true liberation. His atoning sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for our sin, and His resurrection demonstrated His victory over sin and death, thereby freeing us from our former master. As [John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - If the Son Sets You Free") declares, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." Through union with Christ, believers are no longer enslaved to sin but are transferred from the "domain of darkness to the kingdom of His beloved Son" ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). He not only redeems us from the penalty of sin but also empowers us to live a new life of righteousness, becoming "servants of God" ([Romans 6:22](/romans/6-22 "Romans 6:22 - Servants to God")) and enabling us to walk in the freedom for which Christ has set us free ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Stand Firm in Freedom")). Christ is the righteousness we lacked, and through Him, we are made righteous before God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Made Him Who Knew No Sin To Be Sin For Us")).

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

Romans 6:16

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Romans 6:17

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

John 8:34

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.