Romans 6:22

22 But now having been ¹freed from sin and ²enslaved to God, you derive your ³benefit, resulting in sanctification, and ⁴the outcome, eternal life.

Romans 6:22 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 6:22

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God,
&c.] In what sense regenerate persons are free from sin, and are become the servants of God, has been observed already; the consequence of which is, that such have their

fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life:
holiness is a fruit of freedom from the bondage of sin, and of serving God; holiness begun in regeneration, calling, and conversion, is a fruit of the Spirit; a course of living righteously is a fruit of holiness, as a principle implanted; a gradual increase in holiness is carried on by the Spirit of God in a course of righteousness; and a course of righteousness, from a principle of grace, issues in perfect holiness; "without which no man shall see the Lord" (( Hebrews 12:14 ) ): here it seems to design, that holiness is fruit, or that which is gain and profit to persons, in opposition to sin, in which there is no profit: it is not indeed profitable to God in point of merit; yet holiness, as a principle of grace, is profitable to the saints in point of meetness for glory; and holiness, as it denotes an external course of life, is useful and profitable on many accounts; hereby God is glorified, the doctrine of Christ is adorned, religion is honoured and recommended, our own credit, reputation, and peace, are preserved, and our neighbour's good promoted.

And the end is everlasting life:
as sin issues, if grace prevent not, in everlasting death; holiness issues in eternal life, not by way of merit, but of free gift.

Romans 6:22 In-Context

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.

22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord .

Cross References

• 1. John 8:32; Romans 6:18; Romans 8:2
• 2. 1 Corinthians 7:22; 1 Peter 2:16
• 3. Romans 7:4
• 4. 1 Peter 1:9

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "have"
• [b]. Lit "fruit"
• [c]. Lit "to sanctification"