Romans 6:20

20 For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free of rightwiseness.

Romans 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.

Romans 6:20 In-Context

18 And ye delivered from sin, be made servants of rightwiseness.

19 I say that thing that is of man, for the unsteadfastness of your flesh [for the infirmity, or unstableness, of your flesh]. But as ye have given your members to serve to uncleanness, and to wickedness into wickedness, so now give ye your members to serve to rightwiseness into holiness.

20 For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free of rightwiseness.

21 Therefore what fruit had ye then in those things, in which ye shame now? For the end of them is death.

22 But now ye delivered from sin, and made servants to God, have your fruit into holiness, and the end everlasting life.