Romans 6:13
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Original Language Analysis
παραστήσατε
yield
G3936
παραστήσατε
yield
Strong's:
G3936
Word #:
2 of 26
to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅπλα
as instruments
G3696
ὅπλα
as instruments
Strong's:
G3696
Word #:
6 of 26
an implement or utensil or tool (literally or figuratively, especially, offensive for war)
ἀδικίας
of unrighteousness
G93
ἀδικίας
of unrighteousness
Strong's:
G93
Word #:
7 of 26
(legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
10 of 26
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
παραστήσατε
yield
G3936
παραστήσατε
yield
Strong's:
G3936
Word #:
11 of 26
to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or
ἑαυτοὺς
yourselves
G1438
ἑαυτοὺς
yourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
12 of 26
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
unto God
G2316
θεῷ
unto God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
14 of 26
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
15 of 26
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
16 of 26
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅπλα
as instruments
G3696
ὅπλα
as instruments
Strong's:
G3696
Word #:
23 of 26
an implement or utensil or tool (literally or figuratively, especially, offensive for war)
δικαιοσύνης
of righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνης
of righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
24 of 26
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
Cross References
Romans 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.Romans 6:16Know 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?1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.Colossians 3:5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:Romans 7:5For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.1 Peter 4:2That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.Colossians 2:13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;1 Corinthians 6:20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 Corinthians 6:15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
Historical Context
The language of 'presenting members' echoed both military (soldiers presenting weapons/bodies for service) and cultic (priests presenting sacrifices) contexts. Roman soldiers took oaths of loyalty, presenting themselves for duty unto death. Paul transforms this: believers present their bodies as 'living sacrifices' (Romans 12:1). The contrast between serving sin vs. God was stark in Roman society's moral landscape, where sexual immorality, violence, and dishonesty were normalized. Christians' ethical distinctiveness—presenting bodies for righteousness—was countercultural witness.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific 'members' (eyes, hands, tongue, etc.) do you need to stop presenting to sin as instruments of unrighteousness?
- How can you decisively present yourself to God 'as alive from the dead' in practical, daily consecration?
- In what ways can your body parts become 'instruments of righteousness'—actively used for God's purposes rather than merely avoiding sin?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin—mēde paristanete ta melē hymōn hopla adikias tē hamartia (μηδὲ παριστάνετε τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν ὅπλα ἀδικίας τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ). Present imperative again: stop presenting or don't start. Paristanete (παριστάνετε, yield, present, offer) was used of presenting sacrifices or soldiers presenting themselves for duty. Hopla (ὅπλα, weapons, instruments, tools) indicates body parts as instruments for either sin or righteousness. Adikias (ἀδικίας, unrighteousness) contrasts with righteousness—moral categories, not just ritual.
But yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead—the aorist imperative parastēsate (παραστήσατε, yield, present) suggests decisive action: once-for-all consecration of oneself to God. As those that are alive from the dead (hōsei ek nekrōn zōntas, ὡσεὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ζῶντας)—hōsei (as if, as it were) doesn't imply unreality but true status. And your members as instruments of righteousness unto God (kai ta melē hymōn hopla dikaiosynēs tō theō)—the same body parts formerly used for sin must now be actively presented for righteous purposes. This is the positive counterpart to v. 12's negative command.