Romains 6:20

20 Car, lorsque vous étiez esclaves du péché, vous étiez libres à l'égard de la justice.

Romains 6:20 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 6:20

For when ye were the servants of sin
This is an argument used, or a reason given, why regenerate persons should be diligent in the service of righteousness; because when they were employed in the drudgery of sin, they

were free from righteousness;
they had no righteousness, nor were they desirous of any; yea, averse to it, threw off the yoke of the law of righteousness, and lived in a very unrighteous manner: hence may be observed what is the free will of man in an unregenerate state; not free to, but "from" righteousness; free enough to evil, but from all that is good; and also what obligation lies upon believers, who are delivered from the bondage of corruption, and the servitude of sin, to a life and service of righteousness; inasmuch as they were before free from it, and unconcerned about it, but are now made by the grace of God free to it, they ought therefore cheerfully to pursue it, and neglect no opportunity of performing it.

Romains 6:20 In-Context

18 Or, ayant été affranchis du péché, vous êtes devenus esclaves de la justice.
19 Je parle suivant l'usage des hommes, à cause de l'infirmité de votre chair. En effet, de même que vous avez livré vos membres pour servir à l'impureté et à l'injustice pour l'iniquité, ainsi livrez-les maintenant comme esclaves à la justice pour la sainteté.
20 Car, lorsque vous étiez esclaves du péché, vous étiez libres à l'égard de la justice.
21 Quel fruit retiriez-vous donc alors des choses dont vous avez honte présentement? Car leur fin est la mort.
22 Mais maintenant affranchis du péché et esclaves de Dieu, vous en retirez pour fruit la sainteté, et pour fin la vie éternelle;
The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.