Romans 6:2

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?"

Key Reflection

The question posed in Romans 6:2 reflects a scenario familiar to first-century Jews who believed in the concept of covenantal obedience and divine grace. For them, maintaining a righteous life was tied directly to receiving God's favor. Paul challenges this mindset by asking if believers should persist in sinful behavior merely because they know that God’s grace will cover their transgressions, thus turning grace into an excuse for immoral conduct. This rhetorical question serves to underscore the importance of living faithfully, not as a means to earn salvation, but as a response to it.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 2. God forbid. By no means. Greek, It may not be. See Barnes "Ro 3:4". The expression is a strong denial of what is implied in the objection in Ro 6:1. How shall we, etc. This contains a reason of the implied statement of the apostle, that we should not continue in sin. The reason is drawn from the fact, that we are dead in fact to sin. It is impossible for those who are dead to act as if they were alive. It is just as absurd to suppose that a Christian should desire to live in sin, as that a dead man should put forth the actions of life. That are dead to sin. That is, all Christians. To be dead to a thing is a strong expression denoting that it has no influence over us.

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