Romans: Slaves to Righteousness
Paul makes a big statement in this week’s passage: you’re either slave God or sin. In today’s world of a watered down Gospel, some people may try to tell you that there’s a middle ground: that you can live as you please without being a slave to God or to sin. Let’s study what the Bible has to say about this.
Read Romans 6:15-23 and journal through the following questions this week:
Last week, Paul tried to convince his readers that a lifestyle of habitual sin is not compatible with one whose life is changed by grace. But what about occasional sin here and there? Should we be concerned about that?
Let’s study the Greek word used for sin in verse 15.
What does this word mean? Write out the definition.
Let’s contrast that with the Greek word for sin used in Romans 6:1.
What is the difference between the two verb tenses from Romans 6:1 and Romans 6:15? Look for context in the two questions phrased in those verses. If you need a hint, here’s what Wuest has to say about it: “The verb in verse one is in the present subjunctive, speaking of habitual, continuous action. The verb in verse fifteen is in the aorist subjunctive, referring to a single act.”
What does it mean to be a slave to something?
What two things can we offer ourselves to as slaves? (v. 16)
Verse 16 ends with “of obedience, which leads to righteousness.” Obedience to what exactly? (v. 16-17)
Here is what David Guzik has to say about this: “Paul has a simple command encouragement for the Christian: be what you are. Obeyed from the heart is a wonderful description of faith. It shows that faith comes from the heart, not only the mind. It shows that faith results in obedience because if we really believe something, we will according to that belief.” So, what should we believe in that leads to righteousness?
What are the results of being a slave to sin?
_______________ (v. 16)
_______________ (v. 19)
_______________ (v. 23)
What are the results of being a slave to God (obedience)?
_______________ (v. 16)
_______________ (v. 19)
_______________ (v. 22)
_______________ (v. 23)
How can one be a slave to God? (v. 17) See also Luke 9:23, 1 Peter 1:18, Philippians 2:7, Galatians 2:20
No one is free - we’re all a slave to someone or something. Read Matthew 6:24, 1 Corinthians 10:21, Deuteronomy 6:5, James 4:4, Psalm 45:7, 1 John 2:15-17, and 2 Corinthians 6:14. What do these passages teach us about the competing spiritual forces that we can serve?
In certain trades, an apprentice works under a master, who trains, shapes, and molds his apprentice in their craft. Naturally, without Jesus, sin is our master, but with Jesus, we can choose God as our master. In religious terms, we call that sanctification. Read 2 Timothy 2:21, John 17:17, Galatians 2:20, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, and 1 John 1:9. What do these passages teach us about sanctification and how it happens?
If someone told you, “I don’t want to be a Christian because you have to give up your freedom.” Based on this week’s study, how would you answer that question?
Reflect & Respond
What does this passage teach me about God?
How does this change the way I live?
Scripture to memorize
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” -Romans 6:22
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yelena is the founder and editor in chief Tirzah. Yelena works as an attorney in tax and in her spare time, she is working on her first book for unmarried twenty-something women in extended waiting seasons and running Tirzah. She has a passion for pointing young women to Christ, and enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with her family.