Romans 6:1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Original Language Analysis
Τί
What
G5101
Τί
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
1 of 10
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἐροῦμεν
shall we say
G2046
ἐροῦμεν
shall we say
Strong's:
G2046
Word #:
3 of 10
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
ἐπιμενοῦμεν
Shall we continue
G1961
ἐπιμενοῦμεν
Shall we continue
Strong's:
G1961
Word #:
4 of 10
to stay over, i.e., remain (figuratively, persevere)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Peter 2:16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.Galatians 5:13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.Romans 6:15What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.Romans 2:4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?Jude 1:4For 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.Romans 3:31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Historical Context
Paul wrote Romans around AD 57 from Corinth to a church he had not founded. The Roman church contained both Jewish and Gentile believers struggling with questions about the Mosaic Law's continuing authority. In Greco-Roman culture, philosophical schools were often accused of promoting immorality—Paul faces a similar charge about his gospel of free grace. Early church baptism was by immersion and symbolized a complete break with the old life.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's question expose the difference between presuming on grace and resting in grace?
- What evidence in your life demonstrates that you understand grace not as license but as transforming power?
- How would you respond to someone who claims that salvation by faith alone encourages sinful living?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Paul anticipates the antinomian objection to his doctrine of justification by faith alone (Romans 5:20). The Greek verb epimenōmen (ἐπιμένωμεν) means "to remain, continue, persist"—suggesting habitual, deliberate sin rather than occasional failure. Paul frames this as a diatribē question, the rhetorical style of Greco-Roman philosophical debate, showing he expects this objection from those who misunderstand grace.
The question reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of grace: that God's unmerited favor is a license for moral laxity. This was evidently a real accusation against Paul's gospel (cf. Romans 3:8), suggesting his teaching was so radical that critics thought he promoted sin. The theological issue is whether justification by faith alone necessarily leads to antinomianism—a charge Paul vigorously refutes throughout this chapter by explaining the believer's union with Christ in death and resurrection.