Romans 6:19
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Original Language Analysis
λέγω
I speak
G3004
λέγω
I speak
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 34
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
διὰ
because
G1223
διὰ
because
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
3 of 34
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀσθένειαν
of the infirmity
G769
ἀσθένειαν
of the infirmity
Strong's:
G769
Word #:
5 of 34
feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαρκὸς
flesh
G4561
σαρκὸς
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
7 of 34
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
10 of 34
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
παραστήσατε
ye have yielded
G3936
παραστήσατε
ye have yielded
Strong's:
G3936
Word #:
11 of 34
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 #:
12 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοῦλα
G1401
δοῦλα
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
15 of 34
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀκαθαρσίᾳ
to uncleanness
G167
ἀκαθαρσίᾳ
to uncleanness
Strong's:
G167
Word #:
17 of 34
impurity (the quality), physically or morally
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνομίαν
iniquity
G458
ἀνομίαν
iniquity
Strong's:
G458
Word #:
20 of 34
illegality, i.e., violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
21 of 34
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνομίαν
iniquity
G458
ἀνομίαν
iniquity
Strong's:
G458
Word #:
23 of 34
illegality, i.e., violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness
νῦν
now
G3568
νῦν
now
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
25 of 34
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
παραστήσατε
ye have yielded
G3936
παραστήσατε
ye have yielded
Strong's:
G3936
Word #:
26 of 34
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 #:
27 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοῦλα
G1401
δοῦλα
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
30 of 34
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
31 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δικαιοσύνῃ
to righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνῃ
to righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
32 of 34
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
Cross References
Romans 6:13Neither 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.Romans 3:5But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)1 Corinthians 6:11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.Galatians 3:15Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.Hebrews 12:15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Historical Context
Paul's acknowledgment of using human analogy reflects rabbinic teaching methods (mashal, parable) and Greek pedagogical practice of using concrete examples for abstract truth. 'Uncleanness' (akatharsia) would resonate with Jewish purity laws but here means moral impurity. Greco-Roman paganism's sexual license, idolatry, and ethical relativism exemplified 'lawlessness' (anomia). Paul calls for equal (or greater) zeal in serving righteousness as they formerly gave to sin—a total life reorientation.
Questions for Reflection
- How zealously are you serving righteousness compared to the zeal you once gave to sin?
- What 'infirmity of flesh' (spiritual dullness) keeps you from fully grasping your new identity in Christ?
- What practical steps toward 'holiness' result from progressively yielding your members to righteousness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh—anthrōpinon legō dia tēn astheneian tēs sarkos hymōn (ἀνθρώπινον λέγω διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκὸς ὑμῶν). Paul acknowledges his slavery metaphor is anthrōpinon (ἀνθρώπινον, human, in human terms)—imperfect but pedagogically helpful. Astheneia tēs sarkos (ἀσθένεια τῆς σαρκός, weakness of the flesh) refers to intellectual/spiritual dullness, not physical frailty—they need concrete metaphors to grasp spiritual realities. Sarx (σάρξ, flesh) here means fallen human nature with its limited understanding.
For as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity—hōsper gar parestēsate ta melē hymōn doula tē akatharsia kai tē anomia eis tēn anomian (ὥσπερ γὰρ παρεστήσατε τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν δοῦλα τῇ ἀκαθαρσίᾳ καὶ τῇ ἀνομίᾳ εἰς τὴν ἀνομίαν). The comparison hōsper... houtōs (just as... so now) establishes parallel: formerly presented members to sin with zeal, now present them to righteousness with equal zeal. Akatharsia (ἀκαθαρσία, uncleanness) and anomia (ἀνομία, lawlessness) describe pagan life—ritual impurity and moral chaos. Eis tēn anomian (εἰς τὴν ἀνομίαν, unto lawlessness) indicates progressive corruption: sin begets more sin. Even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness—houtōs nyn parastēsate ta melē hymōn doula tē dikaiosynē eis hagiasmon. Present imperative: continuously offer. Eis hagiasmon (εἰς ἁγιασμόν, unto holiness/sanctification) indicates progressive sanctification: righteousness begets holiness.