Romans 6:20
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Romans 6:20
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Chapter Context
Romans 6 is a theological epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of grace, love, creation. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 57 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Christians in Rome navigated tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers under imperial watch.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-23: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Romans and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Romans 6:20
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Analysis
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness—hote gar douloi ēte tēs hamartias, eleutheroi ēte tē dikaiosynē (ὅτε γὰρ δοῦλοι ἦτε τῆς ἁμαρτίας, ἐλεύθεροι ἦτε τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ). The imperfect ēte (ἦτε, ye were) indicates past continuous state, now ended. Eleutheroi tē dikaiosynē (ἐλεύθεροι τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ, free from righteousness) is ironic: their 'freedom' from righteousness was actually slavery to sin. Dative tē dikaiosynē (τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ, with respect to righteousness) indicates righteousness had no claim on them—they owed it no allegiance.
Paul's point: total slavery to sin meant total freedom from righteousness's demands. But that 'freedom' was destructive (see v. 21). The implication: now, as slaves of righteousness, believers are 'free from sin'—sin no longer has legitimate claim. The language exposes the folly of sin's promised 'freedom': autonomy from God is slavery to death. True freedom comes through submission to righteousness. The verse sets up vv. 21-23: examining the 'fruit' of each slavery to prove which is genuinely beneficial. Past slavery to sin produced shame and death; present slavery to righteousness produces holiness and life.
Historical Context
The concept of 'freedom' was prized in Greco-Roman culture—Roman citizenship, Greek democracy, philosophical virtue all promised freedom. Stoic philosophers taught freedom through mastery of passions; Epicureans through moderation of pleasure. Paul radically redefines freedom: not autonomy but slavery to the right master. In Roman law, a freed slave (libertus) gained certain freedoms but owed loyalty to former master as patron. Paul's paradox—freed from sin to become slave of righteousness—would be understood in this patronage context.
Reflection
- What 'freedom' from righteousness did you experience before Christ, and how was it actually slavery?
- How does understanding that you're now 'free from sin' (just as you were once 'free from righteousness') affect your battle with temptation?
- What areas of your life still operate as though 'free from righteousness' rather than serving your new master?
Word Studies
- Sin: ἁμαρτία (Hamartia) G266 - Sin, missing the mark
Cross-References
- Sin: John 8:34