Romans 6:21
But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Paul is subtly highlighting that the "fruit" sin produces isn't just shame, but a profound emptiness that we only recognize after we've been set free. He's not just listing bad outcomes; he's pointing out the hollow nature of those experiences, which we now see clearly with renewed eyes.
Paul is contrasting the former life of his readers in sin with their new life in Christ, arguing that the pursuit of sin yields nothing but shame and ultimately leads to destruction. He directly challenges them to recall the "fruit" or results of their sinful actions, highlighting that these actions now bring shame and their final outcome is death.
We often think pursuing our desires will bring satisfaction, but what do our past actions truly yield? Paul challenges us to look at the harvest of sin.
Paul asks a rhetorical question: 'What fruit were you getting then from the things of which you are now ashamed?' He's not asking about immediate pleasure, but about the lasting 'fruit' or 'profit.' The scholars point out that 'fruit' here is usually used for results, and in the context of sin, it’s never positive. Think about it: did those sinful actions really bring lasting good, or just fleeting moments followed by regret? The 'fruit' of sin is ultimately empty and leads to shame.
Sin promises freedom and pleasure, but Paul reveals its true destination. It's a destination that should fill us with dread.
Paul doesn't leave us hanging after pointing out the shamefulness of past sins. He declares plainly: 'for the end of those things is death.' This isn't just about physical death, but a final, absolute separation from God – what Scripture calls the 'second death.' The scholars emphasize that this 'death' is the ultimate, inevitable consequence of sin. It's the final destination, the harvest that sin guarantees unless intercepted by God's grace.
Understand the original words
karpos · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, this refers to the outcome, result, or moral harvest produced by a person’s way of life and spiritual state. It reflects the evidence of one's inner character and relationship with God or sin.
thanatos · Greek Noun
A state of spiritual separation from God, originating in the fall of man. It encompasses physical demise, spiritual alienation, and ultimate eternal separation from God's presence as a result of transgression.
Paul's words in Romans 6:21 resonate deeply when we remember they were written to believers living within the vast, often morally compromised, Roman Empire, a context where the contrast between their former 'fruitless' lives and their new life in Christ would have been stark and personal.
Early 1st century AD
Roman Empire at its height
The Roman Empire, under emperors like Augustus and Tiberius, experienced a period of relative peace and prosperity (Pax Romana). However, this also meant widespread Roman influence, cultural norms, and religious practices were prevalent across the known world, including Judea.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ is crucified in Jerusalem and, according to Christian belief, resurrected three days later, marking the foundational event of the Christian faith.
c. AD 30-50s
Early Spread of the Gospel
Following Jesus' ascension, his apostles and early followers began spreading the Christian message throughout the Roman Empire, including major cities like Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome.
c. AD 50s— this verse
Paul writes to the Romans
The Apostle Paul, while in Corinth or possibly Caesarea, writes his letter to the church in Rome. This letter addresses theological issues and practical Christian living for a diverse community of Jewish and Gentile believers.
This passage directly echoes the idea of 'fruit' and its ultimate end. It contrasts sowing to the flesh, which brings corruption and death, with sowing to the Spirit, which yields eternal life, mirroring Paul's argument here about the ultimate outcomes of different ways of living.
Jeremiah 2:19This Old Testament passage highlights the self-destructive consequences of sin, using the metaphor of a 'bitter and bad' end. It serves as an ancient parallel to Paul's pointed question about the profit gained from sinful actions that ultimately lead to destruction.
Proverbs 14:12This proverb presents a stark contrast between the perceived 'way' of life and its actual end, which is death. It aligns with Paul's rhetorical question and statement in Romans 6:21, emphasizing that the end result of certain paths is not what they initially appear to be.
1 Peter 4:3Peter speaks directly to the shame associated with past sinful behavior, referencing 'sensual passes, lusts, drunkenness, revellings, carousings, and lawless idolatry.' This passage connects the shame mentioned by Paul to specific sinful practices and their unproductive nature.
Hebrews 12:16-17barnesRomans 6:21: "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death."
What fruit, then ... - 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…
bengelRomans 6:21: "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death."
Romans 6:21 . Τίνα οὖν καρπὸν εἴχετε τότε , ἐφʼ οἷς νῦν ἐπαισχύνεσθε ) This whole period has the force of a negative interrogation. He says, that the righteous have their fruit unto holiness; but he does not consider those things which are ‘unfruitful’ [ ἄκαρπα ] worthy of the name of fruit .— Ephesians 5:11 . He says, therefore, those things which now cause you to feel ashame…
Paul is subtly highlighting that the "fruit" sin produces isn't just shame, but a profound emptiness that we only recognize after we've been set free. He's not just listing bad outcomes; he's pointing out the hollow nature of those experiences, which we now see clearly with renewed eyes.
Paul is contrasting the former life of his readers in sin with their new life in Christ, arguing that the pursuit of sin yields nothing but shame and ultimately leads to destruction. He directly challenges them to recall the "fruit" or results of their sinful actions, highlighting that these actions now bring shame and their final outcome is death.
Paul is contrasting the former life of his readers in sin with their new life in Christ, arguing that the pursuit of sin yields nothing but shame and ultimately leads to destruction. He directly challenges them to recall the "fruit" or results of their sinful actions, highlighting that these actions now bring shame and their final outcome is death.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Romans 6:21 is available in the Sola app.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
A devastating fire sweeps through Rome, leading Emperor Nero to blame and persecute the city's Christian population. This event marked an early, significant period of Roman persecution against Christians.
This passage warns against immorality and godlessness, using Esau as an example of someone who squandered his birthright for a single meal. It illustrates the foolishness of pursuing immediate, fleeting gratification that leads to ultimate ruin, much like the 'fruit' Paul describes in Romans 6.
"But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death." — Paul is subtly highlighting that the "fruit" sin produces isn't just shame, but a profound emptiness that we only recognize after we've been set free. He's not just listing bad outcomes; he's point…
