Romans 6:20

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

Romans chapter 6 is a pivotal section in Paul's letter, addressing the crucial question of how believers, who are justified by grace through faith, should then live. Having established that God's grace abounds even more where sin increased (Romans 5:20), Paul anticipates a potential misconception: should we continue in sin that grace may abound? His emphatic answer is "God forbid!" (Romans 6:2). This verse (Romans 6:20) looks back to the believer's former, unsaved condition, drawing a sharp contrast with their new life in Christ.

Key Themes

  • Former Bondage to Sin: The phrase "servants of sin" powerfully conveys a state of complete subjugation. Before conversion, individuals were entirely under sin's dominion, obeying its impulses and dictates without restraint. This was not merely occasional sinning, but a fundamental orientation of life, where sin was the master.
  • "Freedom" from Righteousness: This is a striking and paradoxical statement. It means that in their unregenerate state, people were not bound by righteousness; they had no obligation to it, no accountability to its standards, and no desire for it. This "freedom" was not liberating, but rather a terrifying absence of moral compass and divine constraint, leading ultimately to spiritual death (Romans 6:23).
  • The Great Exchange: The verse implicitly sets the stage for the dramatic transformation that occurs in salvation. Just as they were once totally devoted to sin, believers are now called to be wholly devoted to righteousness and God, as highlighted in the contrasting verse, Romans 6:18, where they are "made free from sin, and became the servants of righteousness."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "servants" is doulos (δοῦλος), which means a slave or bondservant. This is not merely an employee or hired hand, but someone who is owned and totally subjected to another's will. This term emphasizes the absolute and inescapable nature of sin's control over the unbeliever. The word for "free" is eleutheroi (ἐλεύθεροι), meaning at liberty or independent. In this context, it describes a state of being independent *from* the demands or influence of righteousness, underscoring their alienation from God's holy standards.

Practical Application

Understanding Romans 6:20 helps believers appreciate the profound change wrought by God's grace. It serves as a powerful reminder of the state from which we were redeemed, fostering gratitude for the true freedom found in Christ. This verse challenges us to consider:

  • Gratitude for Deliverance: Reflect on the bondage of sin and the marvelous liberation received through faith in Jesus Christ.
  • Embracing New Mastership: Recognize that while we were once servants of sin, we are now called to be servants of God, yielding our lives to Him and His righteousness.
  • Living out the New Identity: Our past state of being "free from righteousness" should motivate us to actively pursue and live in righteousness, demonstrating the transforming power of the Gospel in our daily lives.
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Cross-References

  • Romans 6:16 (7 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

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