Romans 6:16-18
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The verse highlights that our choices aren't neutral; they forge a new identity. Presenting yourself to sin as a slave means you become its slave, and the same is true for obedience—it leads to becoming a servant of righteousness.
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is pressing home the radical change that happens when someone becomes a follower of Christ. He’s already argued that believers have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection, freeing them from sin’s power. Now, he explains that this freedom isn't a license to do whatever they want, but a transfer of allegiance from sin to righteousness.
The Bible paints a stark picture: you are always a servant to someone. It's not a question of if you serve, but whom you serve.
Paul uses the concept of 'servants' (or 'slaves') to explain a fundamental truth about spiritual life. In the ancient world, a slave belonged entirely to their master, with no option to serve another. Paul applies this ironclad principle to our spiritual allegiance.
Every master demands service, and every service has a consequence. Paul lays out the ultimate outcome for each path.
The choice of master has direct and eternal implications. Paul doesn't just talk about who is in charge, but where that allegiance leads:
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Understand the original words
paristanete · Greek Verb
To yield, offer, or place at the disposal of another. In a biblical context, it implies a voluntary surrender or dedication of one's person or body to a specific master or purpose.
douloi · Greek Noun
A person who is legally and entirely owned by another, lacking personal freedom and obligated to complete obedience. Theologically, it describes the state of being entirely under the control and dominion of either sin or God.
hamartias · Greek Noun
A fundamental force of rebellion against God, often personified as a power or master that enslaves humanity, corrupts human nature, and separates the creature from the Creator.
thanaton · Greek Noun
The ultimate consequence of sin; it signifies not only physical cessation of life but, more importantly, spiritual alienation from God, corruption of soul, and eternal judgment.
dikaiosynen · Greek Noun
The quality or state of being in accordance with God’s standard, character, and law. It represents a right standing before God and the practical outworking of living in conformity to His will.
kardias · Greek Noun
The core seat of human personality, encompassing the intellect, will, emotions, and moral decision-making. Obedience that is "from the heart" is genuine, internal, and sincere, rather than merely external or ritualistic.
typon didaches · Greek Noun phrase
A structured body of Christian doctrine or authoritative instruction handed down by the apostles. It refers to the apostolic message that establishes the boundaries and content of the Christian faith.
eleutherothentes · Greek Verb/Participle
The state of having been released from the power, penalty, and dominion of a previous master (sin/death). In Christ, this freedom is not license to do as one pleases, but liberation to serve God.
Paul uses the familiar and often harsh reality of slavery in the Roman world to illustrate the profound choice believers face: whether to be enslaved to sin or to righteousness. This analogy would have resonated deeply with his audience, highlighting the absolute nature of allegiance in their new life in Christ.
c. 5th-1st century BC
Prevalence of Slavery in Roman Society
Roman society was deeply structured by slavery, where slaves were considered property with no rights. This system provided a stark, everyday example of absolute servitude and the power masters held over those they owned.
c. 1st century AD
Paul's Ministry in Roman Provinces
The Apostle Paul traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire, establishing churches and writing letters. His ministry focused on converting people from various backgrounds to Christianity within this Roman context.
c. AD 50-60s— this verse
Writing of the Epistle to the Romans
Paul wrote his letter to the Romans during his missionary journeys, likely from Corinth or Ephesus. He addressed core theological issues to a church he had not personally founded, aiming to solidify their understanding of the faith.
This passage directly illustrates the principle that one cannot serve two masters, mirroring Paul's argument that you must choose between slavery to sin or to obedience.
John 8:34Jesus states, 'Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.' This verse reinforces Paul's point by explaining the inherent nature of sin's dominion over those who practice it.
Romans 6:19Paul explicitly uses the 'present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification' imagery, directly continuing the thought from verse 16 and providing the positive counterpart to slavery to sin.
Galatians 5:13This passage speaks of not using freedom as an opportunity for the flesh but serving one another through love, echoing the idea that true freedom in Christ leads to willing service in righteousness, not license.
henryRomans 6:16-20: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
6:16-20 Every man is the servant of the master to whose commands he yields himself; whether it be the sinful dispositions of his heart, in actions which lead to death, or the new and spiritual obedience implanted by regeneration. The apostle rejoiced now they obeyed from the heart the gospel, into which they were de…
cambridgeRomans 6:16: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
16 . Know ye not ] As a self-evident truth, that bond-service, once accepted, becomes binding. This general principle is at once applied to the special cases of Sin and Obedience regarded as personified Masters. The clauses to the end of Romans 6:18 may be thus summarized:—“All bond-service, once accepted, is binding,…
The verse highlights that our choices aren't neutral; they forge a new identity. Presenting yourself to sin as a slave means you become its slave, and the same is true for obedience—it leads to becoming a servant of righteousness.
Paul is pressing home the radical change that happens when someone becomes a follower of Christ. He’s already argued that believers have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection, freeing them from sin’s power. Now, he explains that this freedom isn't a license to do whatever they want, but a transfer of allegiance from sin to righteousness.
Paul is pressing home the radical change that happens when someone becomes a follower of Christ. He’s already argued that believers have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection, freeing them from sin’s power. Now, he explains that this freedom isn't a license to do whatever they want, but a transfer of allegiance from sin to righteousness.
"Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who we…" — The verse highlights that our choices aren't neutral; they forge a new identity. Presenting yourself to sin as a slave means you become its slave, and the same is true for obedience—it leads to bec…
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Last reviewed October 2026
