Bible Commentary on Romans 6:18

"Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness" (Rom 6:18).
The Greek word that is translated as sin is hamartia. It is usually defined as “missing the mark.” Which gives one the picture of aiming an arrow at a target but missing it. This is not what it means.

Sin is not missing the mark, sin means to aim at the wrong object. One is not even aiming at the target. The target is pleasing God. Sin is not trying to please God but failing, sin is not even trying to please God. The aim of sin is pleasing self, not God. Sin is a wrong aim. Sin is selfishness.

Romans 3:9 says that "are all under sin." What does this mean? It means that as long as you are aiming to please self, you cannot please God. Selfishness bends all actions to the ultimate aim of one’s own life and interests. Sin makes you a slave of pleasing self. You are "under the power" of the selfish motive (Rom 3:9 NIV).

And Romans 6:22 explains, "But now being made free from sin [a wrong aim], and become servants to God [the right aim], you have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life."

It is not wrong action that leads to separation from God, but the wrong aim of one’s life. Sin is living for oneself rather than God. "No man can serve two masters" (Matt 6:24). You will either serve self or you will serve God. As Romans 6:23 explains, "For the wages of sin [wrong aim] is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Making Jesus Lord means making him master of your life.

The singular “sin” refers to the wrong aim, the dedication of the will to self-gratification. The plural “sins” refers to wrong acts, or selfish acts. These are acts that do not please or honor God. For a Christian, these wrong acts are out of harmony with one’s usual aim of pleasing God. As soon as the pressure of temptation is released, the aim of the will snaps back to pleasing God.

Let's bring this all together. Let me paraphrase our text, "After being freed from the wrong aim of selfishness, you became slaves to the right aim of benevolence." Benevolence is good willing, it is willing the highest good of God and humanity.

Contact Form

Name

Email *

Message *

About

Dr. Jay Forrest is a Christian Philosopher and independent researcher who holds a doctorate in religion. Dr. Forrest specializes in Buddhism, Gnosticism, and Christian mysticism. He is the author of The Deeper Life: Finding God on the Mystic Path.

Dr. Forrest is both interfaith and non-denominational, having ministered in Baptist, Methodist, Charismatic, Catholic, and Anglican churches throughout the United States. He has been ordained for over three decade and is certified to teach insight meditation.

Scripture Quotations

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the American King James version of the Bible by Michael Peter (Stone) Engelbrite. Placed in the Public Domain on November 8, 1999.

Scriptures marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.