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?
Original Language Analysis
οἴδατε
Know ye
G1492
οἴδατε
Know ye
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
2 of 21
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
3 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ᾧ
to whom
G3739
ᾧ
to whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
4 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
παριστάνετε
ye yield
G3936
παριστάνετε
ye yield
Strong's:
G3936
Word #:
5 of 21
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 #:
6 of 21
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
δοῦλοί
his servants
G1401
δοῦλοί
his servants
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
7 of 21
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
8 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὑπακοῆς
obey
G5218
ὑπακοῆς
obey
Strong's:
G5218
Word #:
9 of 21
attentive hearkening, i.e., (by implication) compliance or submission
δοῦλοί
his servants
G1401
δοῦλοί
his servants
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
10 of 21
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
ᾧ
to whom
G3739
ᾧ
to whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὑπακούετε
ye obey
G5219
ὑπακούετε
ye obey
Strong's:
G5219
Word #:
13 of 21
to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e., to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
θάνατον
death
G2288
θάνατον
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
17 of 21
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
ὑπακοῆς
obey
G5218
ὑπακοῆς
obey
Strong's:
G5218
Word #:
19 of 21
attentive hearkening, i.e., (by implication) compliance or submission
Cross References
John 8:34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.2 Peter 2:19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.Joshua 24:15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.Matthew 6:24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.Romans 6:17But 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.
Historical Context
Roman slavery was ubiquitous and total: slaves had no legal personhood, no rights, no autonomy—complete subjugation to their master's will. Unlike American chattel slavery (race-based), Roman slavery resulted from conquest, debt, or birth to slaves. The metaphor would be viscerally understood. Voluntary enslavement occurred when someone sold themselves to pay debts or gain a powerful patron's protection. Paul's point: despite claims to autonomy, everyone is enslaved—either to sin or to God. True freedom is serving the right master.
Questions for Reflection
- What evidence in your life reveals which master you're truly serving—sin or obedience?
- How does understanding that 'neutrality' is impossible (you're always serving someone) change your view of 'small' sins?
- What areas of your life need to be brought under obedience to God rather than remaining in service to sin?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey—ouk oidate hoti hō paristanete heautous doulous eis hypakoēn, douloi este hō hypakouete (οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ᾧ παριστάνετε ἑαυτοὺς δούλους εἰς ὑπακοήν, δοῦλοί ἐστε ᾧ ὑπακούετε). The rhetorical question assumes the principle is self-evident. Doulous (δούλους, slaves) is emphatic—total ownership and submission. Voluntary enslavement was known in Roman law (debt slavery); Paul applies the principle spiritually: whoever you obey is your master, regardless of claims to freedom.
Whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness—ētoi hamartias eis thanaton ē hypakoēs eis dikaiosynēn (ἤτοι ἁμαρτίας εἰς θάνατον ἢ ὑπακοῆς εἰς δικαιοσύνην). Two mutually exclusive slaveries, two opposite destinations: serving sin leads to death (both spiritual and eternal), serving obedience leads to righteousness (right standing and right living). Hypakoēs (ὑπακοῆς, obedience) is personified parallel to sin—obedience to God/righteousness. The destinations are inevitable consequences: sin's wages are death (v. 23), obedience's fruit is righteousness. Middle ground doesn't exist—neutrality is impossible. Everyone serves someone; the question is whom.