Faith in Romans - Chapter 6 - Part 2: Law vis a vis Grace; Yielding as Slaves to Sin and Death vis a vis To Righteousness:

Our previous study noted the word “God” in the phrase “God forbid” in the King James Version (KJV) in Romans 6:22 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

and Romans 6:1515 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

is not in the original manuscripts, whereas the Greek actually translate into English as “let it not be.”* Thus, believers are warned: “let it not be” that we live any longer in sin since we are dead to sin having been baptized (identified with) the death of Jesus Christ, Romans 6:2 - 72 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

. And, though we are not under law but under grace, “let it not be” that we sin, Romans 6:14 - 1514 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

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Law vis a vis Grace: when Paul wrote Romans he faced vehement hostility from Jews who followed the Law of Moses and demanded the same from others to the point they beat, persecuted, and ran him out of their towns (Acts 13:45 - 5045 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

; Acts 14:1919 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

; Acts 17:55 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

; Acts 23:12 - 1412 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

; 2 Corinthians 11:24 - 2624 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

; 1 Thessalonians 2:1414 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

) because he taught that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by the Grace of God and not by following the law, Ephesians 2:8 - 98 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

. The Greek word translated “law” is found 75 times in Romans (the most frequent in any New Testament [NT] book). In Romans, Paul contrasts “the Law” to the “grace of God,” the word translated “grace” is found 25 times in Romans, also the most frequent in any NT book. Sadly, even though Paul’s teaching is clear that believers are not under law but are saved by grace, some believers today still cling to the law. They may acknowledge Christ died for their sins and was raised again for their justification, Romans 4:2525 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

, but they believe they must do something about the sins they commit after they trust Christ.

As I understand, they follow teachings like “Lordship salvation,” which adds to God’s Grace the necessity to repent for subsequent sins and they label those who believe salvation is simply and only by faith in the finished work of Christ (by God’s Grace) as “easy-believism.” They recognize their short comings after being saved and so cling to the law, maybe not all 613 commandments, but at least the 10 Commandments, claiming they must repent each time they violate one. In so doing they fail to recognize Christ’s teaching that to think something against another is a violation of the law, i.e., being angry with a brother without a cause, Matthew 5:2222 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

; lusting is adultery, Matthew 5:2727 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

b - 28, etc., and anyone breaking one law is guilty of them all, James 2:1010 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

. If they truly acknowledged their sinful thoughts and desires and spent time repenting for each infraction they would be on their knees constantly.

They apparently don’t grasp the meaning of the following: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:19 - 2019 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

. “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:22 - 2622 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

. It could not be stated more clearly that God gave the law of Moses to show mankind his/her sin and need for a Savior. Then God in His Grace came in the person of Jesus Christ to fulfill the law and die for our sin, delivering us from the curse of the Law, Galatians 3:10 - 1310 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

. But there is no way we should sin, just because we are not under the law but under grace, Romans 6:15.

Yielding as slaves to sin or righteousness: Two forms of the word yield are used a total of 5 times in the 6th chapter of Romans; “paristano” (G3836a) in Romans 6:1313 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.

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.

a and Romans 6:1616 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?

, and “paristemi” (G3836b) in Romans 6:13b and twice in Romans 6:1919 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.

. The Greek Lexicon defines these words: “to cause to stand near, to place nearby; hence, to place or present before, to place at hand, to furnish.” These definitions may not fit what comes to mind when we think in English about “yield or yielding,” i.e., the amount of yield an investment brings; or yielding to an oncoming vehicle; or yielding to another’s will; or yielding our time in a debate to another, etc. The word “servant/s” is found 6 times in this 6th chapter where two forms of a Greek word are used; “doulos,” (G1401), and “douloo” (G1402). Both mean generally: “a slave, bondman, man of servile condition, devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests.” (Paul begins Romans identifying himself a “slave” (doulos) of Jesus Christ, Romans 1:11 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

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Let’s concentrate on the meaning of the words “yield” and “slaves” as we contemplate the following: “Neither yield (present before, place at hand, furnish) ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield (present before, place at hand, furnish) yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid (let it not be). Know ye not, that to whom ye yield (present before, place at hand, furnish) yourselves servants (slaves) to obey, his servants (slaves) ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants (slaves) of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants (slaves) of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded (present before, place at hand, furnish) your members servants (slaves) to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield (present before, place at hand, furnish) your members servants (slaves) to righteousness unto holiness.” Romans 6:13 - 1913 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.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

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?

17 But 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.

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

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.

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Paul recaps this teaching by reminding us that before we were saved, when we were the slaves of sin, we were not slaves or bound by obligation to righteousness, Romans 6:2020 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

. And being slaves of sin, the fruit of our labor brought death, Romans 6:2121 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

. But after we believe and are saved, we are free from sin and are slaves to God, and our fruit or labor is unto or towards holiness (consecration, sanctification, purification), which will finish with eternal life, Romans 6:2222 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

. The last verse of this chapter encapsulates the thought: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:2323 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

. Thus we conclude that before we came to believe and were saved, we were slaves to sin and the end thereof was eternal separation from God, but God gave us eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This being true, we must “let it not be” that we serve sin. Our old man is crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we should no longer serve sin, Romans 6:66 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

. Realizing that even though this is true, we are apt to sin so we are told “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” Romans 6:1212 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

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The chain of thought doesn’t end with this chapter, it continues into chapter 7, which ends with an explanation of what goes on in our lives as we strive to “let it not be” that we should yield to sin in our mortal bodies to obey the lusts thereof: “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:14 - 2514 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

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*the original Greek translated “God forbid” is from two Greek words, “ginomai” (G1096) found 677 times in the NT primarily translated “be (is, being, been, was, were)” and “me” (G3361) found 675 times in the NT, primarily translated “not.” However, the KJV translates these two words “God forbid” a total of 15 times in the NT, once in Luke, 10 times in Romans, once in 1 Corinthians and three times in Galatians.