How does Romans 6:15 connect to Jesus' teachings on sin and obedience? The Rhetorical Question in Romans 6:15 “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” • Paul anticipates a misunderstanding of grace: if law-keeping no longer justifies, is sin now harmless? • His emphatic “Certainly not!” (Greek: mē genoito—“May it never be!”) slams the door on that idea. • Grace is shown to be a new realm in which believers live, not a loophole that excuses rebellion. Grace That Transforms, Not Permits • Romans 6:1-14 has already pictured the believer united with Christ in death and resurrection. • That union breaks sin’s reign (v. 6) and enables newness of life (v. 4). • Therefore, v. 15 insists: true grace produces changed allegiance—sin no longer calls the shots. • Paul’s logic parallels Titus 2:11-12: “The grace of God… instructs us to deny ungodliness.” Jesus’ Voice Echoing Paul • John 14:15—“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • John 14:21—“Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me.” • John 8:11—“Neither do I condemn you… go and sin no more.” Grace (no condemnation) and obedience (“sin no more”) stand side-by-side. • Matthew 7:21—Obedience to the Father’s will, not mere words, marks kingdom citizens. • Matthew 5:17-20—Jesus fulfills the Law, lifting righteousness beyond external rule-keeping to heart-level loyalty. Paul’s question in Romans 6:15 sounds like a paraphrase of Jesus’ warnings: grace and obedience are inseparable. Both Teach Sin as Slavery, Obedience as Freedom • John 8:34-36—“Everyone who sins is a slave to sin… if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” • Romans 6:16-18 (immediately following v. 15) contrasts slavery to sin with slavery to righteousness. • Freedom in Christ is not autonomy from God but liberation to serve Him gladly. Living Under Grace: The Power to Obey • The same Spirit who raised Jesus (Romans 8:11) now empowers us to “walk in newness of life” (6:4). • Union with Christ supplies both the motive (love for the One who died and rose) and the means (Spirit-enabled transformation) for obedience. • Thus, Romans 6:15 and Jesus’ words converge: grace does not lower the standard; it enables us to meet it from the inside out. Bringing It Home • Remember: Grace rescues from condemnation and releases for consecration. • Align daily choices with the new identity grace has secured. • Let Jesus’ commands guide you, and trust His Spirit to empower you—just as Paul assumed when he exclaimed, “Certainly not!” |
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