What does Romans 6:20 mean?

Explanation

In Romans 6:20, the Apostle Paul is contrasting two states of being: one under the power and influence of sin, and the other under the grace of God through righteousness.

The verse follows a prior discussion about being slaves to sin prior to knowing Christ and contrasts that with the new life believers lead when they have accepted Jesus as Lord.

Literally, it states that when the Roman believers were "servants of sin," they did not have to adhere to the principles of righteousness.

The deeper meaning centers around the concept of spiritual slavery and freedom.

Serving sin means being free from the pursuit and expectations of righteousness, but this "freedom" is illusory because it leads to spiritual death.

Therefore, Paul is pointing out the emptiness and false liberty in a life without God.

Historical Context

The Epistle to the Romans was likely written by Paul around 56-58 AD and addressed to the Christian church in Rome, which at the time was a mix of Gentile and Jewish believers.

The Roman Empire tolerated many religions, but there was growing tension and occasional persecution of Christians.

Culturally, both Jews and Gentiles would have a concept of servitude or slavery, as it was a common part of the social structure.

Paul often used these concepts metaphorically to help his audience understand spiritual truths in the context of their everyday experiences.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse reinforces the doctrine of sin and the human condition.

In Reformation theology, Martin Luther would later emphasize the concept of "simul justus et peccator," meaning that Christians are simultaneously righteous and sinners.

Paul's verse prefigures this idea by explaining the state prior to sanctification.

The Calvinist perspective focuses on the total depravity of humans, hence emphasizing that before grace, humans are entirely servants to sin.

Arminianism, while accepting the depravity of sin, emphasizes the role of free will in choosing to serve righteousness over sin.

Practical Applications

Romans 6:20 highlights the importance of self-awareness in one's spiritual life. It can apply to the daily life of believers in recognizing that true freedom comes not from doing what one desires but from serving a greater good, represented by righteousness.

Therefore, practical applications may include seeking to understand where one is serving self-interests that lead to sin versus pursuing actions and attitudes that reflect God's righteousness. It calls believers to strive for transformation in their values and behaviors.

Cross-References

• Romans 6:18 - "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."
• Romans 6:22 - "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."
• John 8:34 - "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the term for "servants" is "δοῦλοι" (douloi), which means slaves or bondmen, indicating a person who is indefinitely bound and subservient to another, without freedom.

The word for "sin" is "ἁμαρτίας" (hamartias), referring not just to individual sins, but the power or domain of sin.

"Free" translates from "ἐλεύθεροι" (eleutheroi), which means being free or exempt from a liability.

Finally, "righteousness" is from the Greek "δικαιοσύνης" (dikaiosynes), implying a state of being in right relationship with God or living out a standard of uprightness.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this to other ancient religious traditions, one might consider the Egyptian concept of Ma'at, representing truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice.

The servants of Ma'at would theoretically be free from chaos, which could parallel the Christian notion of being servants of righteousness, free from sin.

Additionally, in Dharmic religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, life is often seen as suffering due to attachment and desire, similar to the concept of being enslaved to sin.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, one might understand the concept of serving sin or righteousness in terms of human psychology, behavioral patterns, and the neurological pathways associated with habits.

Modern neuroscience suggests that repeated actions and choices strengthen certain neural pathways, which could underlie habitual sinful behavior or virtuous behavior, serving as a modern parallel to Paul's discussions of servitude to sin or righteousness.

Commentaries

Contemporary biblical scholars and theologians offer various insights into Romans 6:20.

For example, John Stott emphasizes the state of liberation that comes from Christ, contrasting it with the state of enslavement to sin.

N.T.

Wright often discusses how Paul's writings should be understood within the narrative of Israel and the larger purpose of God for the world, pointing to the relational aspect of righteousness.

Douglas Moo may focus on the legal and salvific implications of the verse, considering the role of the law and grace in the believers' life before and after coming to faith.

These commentaries stress both the personal transformation and communal implications of living as servants of righteousness rather than of sin.