Romans 6:21

"For when you were servants of sin, you were free from righteousness."

Key Reflection

This verse highlights that while enslaved to sin, individuals are not held accountable for righteousness because their lives are defined by sinful behavior. It sets up the contrast between the freedom found in sin and the righteousness gained through faith in Christ, emphasizing how true freedom leads to a life of holiness.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 21. What fruit had ye then, etc. What reward, or what advantage. This is an argument drawn from the experience of Christians respecting the indulgence of sinful passions. The question discussed throughout this chapter is, whether the gospel plan of justification by faith leads to indulgence in sin? The argument here is drawn from the past experience which Christians have had in the ways of transgression. They have tried it; they know its effects; they have tasted its bitterness; they have reaped its fruits. It is implied here, that having once experienced these effects, and knowing the tendency of sin, they will not indulge in it now. Comp. Ro 7:5. Whereof ye are now ashamed.

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