Big Idea: The familiar contrast that runs from 5:12 through 6:14 continues in 6:15–23: the law of Moses cannot rescue from sin, which leads to death, but the grace of God in Christ engenders righteousness, which leads to eternal life. The new component of this contrast in 6:15–23 is Paul’s usage of the metaphor of slavery.

Understanding the Text

Romans 6:15–23 continues Paul’s enumeration, begun in 6:1–14, of the blessings of the new dominion as a part of the new covenant. Romans 6:1–14 was devoted to the believer’s deliverance from the law, sin, and death by virtue of union with Christ’s death and resurrection. Now 6:15–23 discusses how dedication to righteousness is incumbent upon believers as participants in the new dominion. The general outline of 6:15–23 is quite similar to 6:1–14:…