How does Romans 6:14 define the relationship between law and grace? Canonical Text Romans 6:14 : “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Immediate Context (Romans 5:12—6:23) Paul has just declared that those who are united with Christ share both His death to sin and His resurrected life (6:3-11). Verse 14 functions as the hinge: it explains why believers can reject sin’s tyranny and introduces the contrast developed in 6:15-23. “Law” Defined 1. Mosaic covenant obligations given at Sinai (Exodus 19—24). 2. By extension, any works-based system that seeks acceptance with God on the ground of human obedience (cf. 3:20; Galatians 3:10). 3. A good, holy standard (7:12) that nevertheless exposes sin and, apart from regeneration, leads to condemnation (5:20; 7:9-11). “Grace” Defined 1. God’s unmerited favor in the redemptive work of Christ (3:24). 2. A reigning power that frees and enables obedience (5:17, 21). 3. The sphere of the New Covenant in which the Spirit writes the law on the heart (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Hebrews 8:10). Dominion of Sin Broken “Not under law” means sin’s legal right to condemn has ended (8:1). “Under grace” means believers are transferred into Christ’s realm where sin’s mastery is legally annulled and experientially overthrown (6:6-7). The verb κυριεύσει (“shall be master”) evokes the image of a dethroned tyrant. Union with Christ as the Mechanism Believers have been baptized “into Christ Jesus” (6:3). His death satisfied the law’s penalty; His resurrection inaugurated the new order of grace. The same power that raised Jesus bodily (documented by early creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, dated A.D. 30-36) energizes moral transformation (6:4). Grace Does Not License Sin (6:15-18) Paul anticipates abuse: “Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” (6:15). Grace removes condemnation but installs new allegiance: from slavery to sin to slavery to righteousness. Grace is therefore dynamic empowerment, not permissive leniency. Relation to the Mosaic Covenant 1. The law once acted as a guardian until Christ (Galatians 3:24-25). 2. Its moral core is fulfilled in those who “walk according to the Spirit” (8:4). 3. Ceremonial and civil components foreshadowed Christ and expired at the cross (Colossians 2:16-17). Harmony with the Whole Canon • “The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). • “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4). • “By grace you have been saved through faith…not by works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Scripture speaks with one voice: the law reveals need; grace supplies remedy. Ethical and Pastoral Implications 1. Assurance: Condemnation is silenced; motivation shifts from fear to love (1 John 4:18). 2. Empowerment: The indwelling Spirit replaces external compulsion (8:9-13). 3. Community: Grace fosters humility and mutual service (12:3-8). Common Objections Addressed • “Doesn’t Jesus command obedience?” Yes; yet obedience flows from grace (John 14:15). • “Is the law irrelevant?” No; it remains a moral mirror and tutor but no longer wields punitive authority over the justified (Galatians 3:24-25). • “Won’t grace breed moral laxity?” Empirically refuted by transformed lives throughout church history and contemporary documented cases of radical deliverance from addictions when individuals embrace Christ’s lordship and Spirit-empowered living. Summary Romans 6:14 teaches that believers have been transferred out of the jurisdiction where the law pronounces guilt into the realm where grace both absolves and empowers. Consequently, sin’s dominion is legally invalidated and practically eroded. The verse encapsulates Paul’s gospel: condemnation ends under the crucified Christ, and new creation life begins under the risen Lord. |
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