What does "under grace" mean in the context of Romans 6:15? The Text in View “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” (Romans 6:15) Law vs. Grace in Paul’s Flow of Thought • “Under law” – living beneath the demand-and-penalty system that exposes sin but cannot free from it (Romans 3:19-20; 7:7). • “Under grace” – living beneath God’s unearned favor and enabling power that both pardons and transforms (John 1:17; Romans 5:20-21). • Key contrast: Law reveals sin’s mastery; grace replaces that mastery with Christ’s (Romans 6:14). What “Under Grace” Means 1. Freedom from Condemnation – Sin’s penalty is fully satisfied in Christ (Romans 8:1; 3:24-26). – No further need to appease God through rule-keeping; righteousness is credited by faith (Romans 4:4-8). 2. Transfer of Dominion – Believers switch masters: from sin to God (Romans 6:16-18). – Grace is not a loophole for rebellion but the realm where genuine obedience becomes possible (Titus 2:11-14). 3. Empowerment for Holy Living – The same grace that saves also teaches and energizes (1 Corinthians 15:10). – The indwelling Spirit writes God’s law on hearts, fulfilling what external law could never achieve (Romans 8:2-4; Ezekiel 36:26-27). 4. Adoption and Intimacy – Under grace we relate to God as children, not criminals (Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:4-7). – Obedience flows from love and gratitude, not fear of penalty (1 John 4:19). Why Grace Can Never Be a License to Sin • Grace unites us with Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5); a dead man cannot continue in the old life. • The purpose of grace is to present us “slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification” (Romans 6:19). • Persisting in sin would deny the very work grace began (2 Corinthians 5:14-17). Living Daily “Under Grace” • Reckon yourself dead to sin, alive to God (Romans 6:11). • Yield your members to righteousness—choices matter (Romans 6:12-13). • Draw on the Spirit’s strength, not mere willpower (Galatians 5:16-18). • Keep short accounts with God; grace provides ongoing cleansing (1 John 1:7-9). • Overflow in thanksgiving—the surest guard against abusing grace (Colossians 3:15-17). Summary Snapshot Being “under grace” means standing in a new covenant relationship where God’s favor cancels sin’s guilt, dethrones sin’s power, and equips believers to live holy lives. Grace does not lower the moral bar; it lifts the believer up to it through union with Christ and the indwelling Spirit. |
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