1
Τί οὖν ἐροῦμεν; ἐπιμένωμεν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ, ἵνα ἡ χάρις πλεονάσῃ;
What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may increase?
The antinomian inference from 5:20 is raised to be demolished: if grace abounds where sin abounds, why not sin the more?
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ΤίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ἐροῦμεν)
οὖνtheninferential conjunctionοὖν: 'then'; the diatribe hinge 'what shall we say?' drawing the false inference from 5:20–21.
ἐροῦμενshall we sayFut Act Indic 1 Pl · λέγωmain verb (deliberative)→ deliberative futureλέγω/ἐρῶ: 'say'; the recurring rhetorical question.
ἐπιμένωμενshall we continuePres Act Subj 1 Pl · ἐπιμένωdeliberative subjunctive→ customary presentἐπιμένω: 'remain in, persist, continue' (ἐπί + μένω); to go on living in sin as a settled state.
τῇinDativearticle
ἁμαρτίᾳsinDativedat. of sphere (locative)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; here the realm/power one might 'remain in.'
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
ἡtheNominativearticle
χάριςgraceNominativesubjectχάρις: 'grace'; the supposed beneficiary of continued sin — the perverse logic Paul rejects.
πλεονάσῃmay increaseAor Act Subj 3 Sg · πλεονάζωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ ingressive aoristπλεονάζω: 'increase, abound' (cf. 5:20); the false goal of persisting in sin.
2
μὴ γένοιτο· οἵτινες ἀπεθάνομεν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ, πῶς ἔτι ζήσομεν ἐν αὐτῇ;
By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
The repudiation and its ground: those who have died to sin cannot go on living in it — the rest of the chapter unfolds this 'death.'
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ optative)μὴ γένοιτο: 'by no means!' — Paul's strongest denial (cf. 3:4, 6, 31).
γένοιτοmay it beAor Mid Opt 3 Sg · γίνομαιoptative of wishing (deprecation)→ voluntative optativeγίνομαι (opt.): the volitive optative repudiating the suggestion.
οἵτινεςwe whoNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative)ὅστις: the qualitative relative — 'we who are of such a kind as to have died.'
ἀπεθάνομενdiedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; ἀποθνῄσκω + dat. = 'die to' — a decisive break of relationship with sin.
τῇtoDativearticle
ἁμαρτίᾳsinDativedat. of reference ('died to')ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the power to which the believer has died.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb
ἔτιstilladverb (time)ἔτι: 'still, yet'; the incongruity — living still in what one has died to.
ζήσομενshall/can we liveFut Act Indic 1 Pl · ζάωmain verb (deliberative)→ deliberative futureζάω: 'live'; the rhetorical impossibility — to live in the very thing one died to.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῇitDativeobject of ἐν (refers to sin)
3
ἢ ἀγνοεῖτε ὅτι ὅσοι ἐβαπτίσθημεν εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν εἰς τὸν θάνατον αὐτοῦ ἐβαπτίσθημεν;
Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
The basis of that death-to-sin: baptism into Christ is baptism into his death — to be joined to Christ is to share his dying.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἢordisjunctive conjunctionἤ: 'or'; the diatribe 'or are you ignorant…?' appealing to shared knowledge.
ἀγνοεῖτεdo you not knowPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀγνοέωmain verb→ present (ongoing)ἀγνοέω: 'be ignorant, not know' (ἀ- + γινώσκω); the question presumes they should already know this.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ὅσοιas many as/all whoNominativerelative pronoun (correlative)ὅσος: 'as many as'; 'all of us who' — the whole baptized community, no exceptions.
ἐβαπτίσθημενwere baptizedAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · βαπτίζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristβαπτίζω: 'dip, immerse, baptize'; baptism εἰς Χριστόν — incorporation into Christ.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (incorporation)εἰς of incorporation: baptized 'into' union with Christ.
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativeobject of εἰς
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativeapposition
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (incorporation)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θάνατονdeathAccusativeobject of εἰςθάνατος: 'death'; union with Christ means union specifically with his death — the death to sin (v.10).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐβαπτίσθημενwe were baptizedAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · βαπτίζωmain verb→ constative aoristβαπτίζω: 'baptize'; the verb repeated to drive the point — baptism is into his death.
4
συνετάφημεν οὖν αὐτῷ διὰ τοῦ βαπτίσματος εἰς τὸν θάνατον, ἵνα ὥσπερ ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ἐκ νεκρῶν διὰ τῆς δόξης τοῦ πατρός, οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐν καινότητι ζωῆς περιπατήσωμεν.
We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
The implication and the goal: buried with Christ, we are meant to share his resurrection pattern — to walk in a wholly new kind of life.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
συνετάφημενwe were buried withAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · συνθάπτωmain verb→ constative aoristσυνθάπτω: 'bury together with' (σύν + θάπτω); burial seals the reality of death — we were entombed with Christ.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunction
αὐτῷwith himDativedat. of association
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
βαπτίσματοςbaptismGenitiveobject of διά (means)βάπτισμα: 'baptism' (the -μα result/rite of βαπτίζω); the means of union with his burial.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θάνατονdeathAccusativeobject of εἰςθάνατος: 'death'; baptism into death — the believer's participation in Christ's dying.
ἵναin order thatconjunction (purpose)
ὥσπερjust ascomparative conjunctionὥσπερ… οὕτως: 'just as… so' — Christ's resurrection as the pattern for the believer's new walk.
ἠγέρθηwas raisedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (comparative clause)→ constative aoristἐγείρω: 'raise'; the divine passive — the Father raised Christ.
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκνεκρός: 'dead (one)'; 'from among the dead.'
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means/agency)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
δόξηςgloryGenitiveobject of διά (means)δόξα: 'glory'; the Father's glorious power that raised Christ — the same power for our new life.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πατρόςFatherGenitivegenitive of possessionπατήρ: 'Father'; the agent of the resurrection.
οὕτωςsoadverb (correlative)
καὶalsoadverbial
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/manner)
καινότητιnewnessDativedat. of mannerκαινότης: 'newness' (cf. καινός, 'new in quality/kind'); a qualitatively new mode of existence.
ζωῆςof lifeGenitiveattributive/epexegetical genitiveζωή: 'life'; 'newness consisting in life' — resurrection life lived out now.
περιπατήσωμενmight walkAor Act Subj 1 Pl · περιπατέωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ ingressive aoristπεριπατέω: 'walk, conduct oneself' (περί + πατέω); the Semitic metaphor for the whole conduct of life.
5
εἰ γὰρ σύμφυτοι γεγόναμεν τῷ ὁμοιώματι τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς ἀναστάσεως ἐσόμεθα·
For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection.
The organic logic: having been grafted into the likeness of his death, we shall as surely share the likeness of his resurrection.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
σύμφυτοιgrown together/unitedNominativepredicate adjectiveσύμφυτος: 'grown together, fused, congenital' (σύν + φύω, 'grow'); organically united — like a graft fused to its stock.
γεγόναμενwe have becomePerf Act Indic 1 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb→ intensive perfect (settled union)γίνομαι: 'become'; the perfect — a union effected and abiding.
τῷwith theDativearticle
ὁμοιώματιlikenessDativedat. of association/respectὁμοίωμα: 'likeness, form' (cf. 1:23; 5:14); the form of his death in which we are united with him (whether via baptism or union itself).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θανάτουdeathGenitivegenitive (of the likeness)θάνατος: 'death'; Christ's death, whose 'likeness' we share.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἀλλὰbut/certainlyadversative/emphatic conjunction (in apodosis)ἀλλὰ καί: here emphatic — 'then certainly also,' marking the assured consequence.
καὶalsoadverbial
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἀναστάσεωςresurrectionGenitivegenitive (of the likeness, implied)ἀνάστασις: 'resurrection, rising'; supply 'likeness of' — we shall share his risen life.
ἐσόμεθαwe shall beFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be'; the future — union in resurrection, present in principle and future in fullness.
6
τοῦτο γινώσκοντες ὅτι ὁ παλαιὸς ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος συνεσταυρώθη, ἵνα καταργηθῇ τὸ σῶμα τῆς ἁμαρτίας, τοῦ μηκέτι δουλεύειν ἡμᾶς τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ·
knowing this, that our old self was crucified with him, in order that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
The decisive event behind it all: our old self was co-crucified with Christ, breaking the body of sin so that slavery to sin is ended.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object of γινώσκοντες (proleptic)
γινώσκοντεςknowingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · γινώσκωadverbial participle (means/cause)→ present (ongoing)γινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; the experiential knowing that grounds the new life.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ὁtheNominativearticle
παλαιὸςoldNominativeattributive adjectiveπαλαιός: 'old, former' (cf. 'paleo-'); the pre-conversion self in Adam.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἄνθρωποςself/manNominativesubjectἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; 'the old man/self' — who we were in Adam, our whole former existence.
συνεσταυρώθηwas crucified withAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · συσταυρόωmain verb→ constative aoristσυσταυρόω: 'crucify together with' (σύν + σταυρόω); the old self died with Christ on the cross — a decisive past event.
ἵναin order thatconjunction (purpose)
καταργηθῇmight be rendered powerlessAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · καταργέωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ constative aoristκαταργέω: 'render inoperative, nullify, deprive of power' (cf. 3:3; 4:14); sin's body put out of commission, not annihilated but dethroned.
τὸtheNominativearticle
σῶμαbodyNominativesubjectσῶμα: 'body'; 'the body of sin' — the self as the instrument dominated by sin.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitiveattributive/possessive genitiveἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the body characterized and enslaved by sin.
τοῦso that/with the resultGenitivearticle (substantizes inf.)
μηκέτιno longeradverb (negation of time)μηκέτι: 'no longer'; the freedom achieved — slavery's end.
δουλεύεινto be enslaved/servePres Act Inf · δουλεύωarticular inf. of purpose/result→ present (ongoing)δουλεύω: 'serve as a slave, be in bondage' (cf. δοῦλος); the τοῦ + infinitive marks the goal — no more bondage to sin.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
τῇtoDativearticle
ἁμαρτίᾳsinDativedat. of the master servedἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the former slave-master, now without rightful claim.
7
ὁ γὰρ ἀποθανὼν δεδικαίωται ἀπὸ τῆς ἁμαρτίας.
For one who has died has been set free from sin.
A maxim grounding the point: death cancels sin's claim — the one who has died stands acquitted of and released from sin.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἀποθανὼνwho has diedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποθνῄσκωsubstantival participle (subject)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the one who has died — in Christ — to sin.
δεδικαίωταιhas been set free/justifiedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · δικαιόωmain verb→ intensive perfect (settled status)δικαιόω: 'justify, acquit'; here with the nuance 'freed/cleared from' — death discharges sin's legal claim (cf. the maxim that death settles all debts).
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitiveobject of ἀπό (separation)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the power whose claim death annuls.
8
εἰ δὲ ἀπεθάνομεν σὺν Χριστῷ, πιστεύομεν ὅτι καὶ συζήσομεν αὐτῷ·
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him,
From the death, the assured hope: those who died with Christ believe they will also live with him — the resurrection side of the union.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)
δὲnowconnective conjunction
ἀπεθάνομενwe diedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (protasis)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the death with Christ, taken as established fact.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (association)σύν + dat.: 'together with' — the σύν-compounds dominate the chapter (co-buried, co-crucified, co-living).
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of σύν
πιστεύομενwe believePres Act Indic 1 Pl · πιστεύωmain verb→ customary presentπιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; faith's confidence about the resurrection consequence.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
συζήσομενwe will live withFut Act Indic 1 Pl · συζάωmain verb (content clause)→ predictive futureσυζάω: 'live together with' (σύν + ζάω); shared life with the risen Christ — now and consummately.
αὐτῷwith himDativedat. of association
9
εἰδότες ὅτι Χριστὸς ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν οὐκέτι ἀποθνῄσκει, θάνατος αὐτοῦ οὐκέτι κυριεύει·
knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has dominion over him.
The ground of that confidence: the risen Christ is beyond death's reach forever — death's lordship over him is permanently broken.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
εἰδότεςknowingPerf Act Ptc (pres. sense) · Nom Pl Masc · οἶδαadverbial participle (causal)→ perfect w/ present forceοἶδα: 'know'; settled knowledge of the risen Christ's permanence.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject
ἐγερθεὶςhaving been raisedAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐγείρωadverbial participle (causal/antecedent)→ constative aoristἐγείρω: 'raise'; the accomplished resurrection grounding the deathlessness.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκνεκρός: 'dead (one)'; 'from among the dead.'
οὐκέτιno more/longeradverb (negation of time)οὐκέτι: 'no longer'; the finality — never to die again.
ἀποθνῄσκειdiesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ gnomic presentἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the present of abiding truth — he dies no more.
θάνατοςdeathNominativesubjectθάνατος: 'death'; personified as a would-be lord, now stripped of authority.
αὐτοῦover himGenitivegenitive (object of κυριεύει)
οὐκέτιno more/longeradverb (negation of time)
κυριεύειhas dominionPres Act Indic 3 Sg · κυριεύωmain verb→ gnomic presentκυριεύω: 'be lord over, rule, master' (cf. κύριος); death's lordship over Christ is permanently ended (cf. v.14 of sin over us).
10
ὃ γὰρ ἀπέθανεν, τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ ἀπέθανεν ἐφάπαξ· ὃ δὲ ζῇ, ζῇ τῷ θεῷ.
For the death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
The character of Christ's death and life as the template: he died to sin a single decisive time, and the life he now lives is wholly toward God.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ὃwhat/the (death)Accusativerelative pronoun (cognate/adverbial accusative)ὅ … ἀπέθανεν: 'the death he died' — accusative of inner content.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἀπέθανενhe diedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; Christ's death viewed as to its reference and finality.
τῇtoDativearticle
ἁμαρτίᾳsinDativedat. of reference ('to sin')ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the reference of his death — he died with respect to sin (bearing it, finishing with it).
ἀπέθανενhe diedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ constative aorist
ἐφάπαξonce for alladverb (of time/finality)ἐφάπαξ: 'once for all, at one time' (ἐπί + ἅπαξ); the unrepeatable singularity of his death (cf. Heb 7:27).
ὃwhat/the (life)Accusativerelative pronoun (cognate accusative)ὃ … ζῇ: 'the life he lives' — accusative of inner content.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ζῇhe livesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative presentζάω: 'live'; his ongoing resurrection life.
ζῇhe livesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb→ stative present
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of reference/advantage ('to God')θεός: God; the orientation of his life — lived wholly unto God, the pattern for v.11.
11
οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς λογίζεσθε ἑαυτοὺς εἶναι νεκροὺς μὲν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ ζῶντας δὲ τῷ θεῷ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.
So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
The first imperative of the chapter, drawn from Christ's pattern: keep reckoning yourselves what you are in him — dead to sin, alive to God.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
οὕτωςsoadverb (correlative)οὕτως: 'so, in the same way'; applying Christ's death-and-life pattern (v.10) to believers.
καὶalsoadverbial
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
λογίζεσθεconsider/reckonPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · λογίζομαιmain verb (imperative)→ imperatival (continuous)λογίζομαι: 'reckon, count, consider' (cf. ch. 4); not pretend but count as true what God has made true — a present, ongoing reckoning.
ἑαυτοὺςyourselvesAccusativereflexive (accusative subject of inf.)
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive (indirect discourse)→ stative present
νεκροὺςdeadAccusativepredicate accusativeνεκρός: 'dead'; the believer's settled status toward sin.
μὲνon the one handparticle (μέν … δέ)μέν … δέ: balancing the two truths — dead to sin / alive to God.
τῇtoDativearticle
ἁμαρτίᾳsinDativedat. of reference ('dead to')ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; that to which the believer is dead.
ζῶνταςalive/livingPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ζάωpredicate participle (complement of εἶναι)→ present (ongoing)ζάω: 'live'; the positive counterpart — alive, and Godward.
δὲbut on the otherparticle (δέ answering μέν)
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of reference/advantageθεός: God; the orientation of the believer's new life, as of Christ's (v.10).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/union)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (union)ἐν Χριστῷ: the sphere of this new existence — incorporation in Christ, the ground of all of it.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
12
Μὴ οὖν βασιλευέτω ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐν τῷ θνητῷ ὑμῶν σώματι εἰς τὸ ὑπακούειν ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις αὐτοῦ,
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its desires.
The practical command flowing from the reckoning: refuse sin the throne in your mortal body — do not let it dictate obedience to its cravings.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Μὴnotnegative particle (w/ imperative)
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; the imperative drawn from the indicative of vv.1–11.
βασιλευέτωlet reignPres Act Impv 3 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ imperatival (prohibition)βασιλεύω: 'reign as king' (cf. 5:21); sin must not be allowed to rule — its dethronement is to be enforced.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἁμαρτίαsinNominativesubjectἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the deposed tyrant that must not regain the throne.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
θνητῷmortalDativeattributive adjectiveθνητός: 'mortal, subject to death' (cf. θνῄσκω); the body still mortal, yet not to be sin's domain.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
σώματιbodyDativedat. of sphereσῶμα: 'body'; the arena where sin seeks to rule through desires.
εἰςso as/topreposition + articular inf. (result/purpose)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes inf.)
ὑπακούεινto obeyPres Act Inf · ὑπακούωarticular inf. of result→ present (ongoing)ὑπακούω: 'obey, submit to' (ὑπό + ἀκούω, 'hearken under'); the obedience sin's reign would produce.
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἐπιθυμίαιςdesires/lustsDativedat. of the thing obeyedἐπιθυμία: 'desire, craving, lust' (cf. 1:24); the body's cravings sin would exploit.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (of the body)
13
μηδὲ παριστάνετε τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν ὅπλα ἀδικίας τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ, ἀλλὰ παραστήσατε ἑαυτοὺς τῷ θεῷ ὡσεὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ζῶντας καὶ τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν ὅπλα δικαιοσύνης τῷ θεῷ.
Do not present your members to sin as weapons of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those brought from death to life, and your members to God as weapons of righteousness.
The positive counter-command, in military imagery: stop arming sin with your faculties; instead present yourselves and your members to God as living spoils, weapons for righteousness.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
μηδὲand do notnegative conjunction (w/ imperative)μηδέ: 'and not, nor'; continuing the prohibition of v.12.
παριστάνετεpresent/yieldPres Act Impv 2 Pl · παριστάνωmain verb (prohibition)→ imperatival (continuous prohibition)παριστάνω (= παρίστημι): 'place beside, put at the disposal of, present'; the present prohibits an ongoing practice — 'stop yielding.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle
μέληmembersAccusativedirect objectμέλος: 'member, bodily part'; the faculties and limbs as instruments — to be denied to sin.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὅπλαweapons/instrumentsAccusativeobject complement (double acc.)ὅπλον: 'weapon, tool, implement' (often military arms); the members as weaponry — for whichever side they are enlisted.
ἀδικίαςof unrighteousnessGenitiveattributive genitiveἀδικία: 'unrighteousness'; weapons in sin's service.
τῇtoDativearticle
ἁμαρτίᾳsinDativedat. of the one servedἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the master to whom the members must not be surrendered.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
παραστήσατεpresentAor Act Impv 2 Pl · παρίστημιmain verb (positive command)→ ingressive aorist (decisive act)παρίστημι: 'present, offer, place at disposal'; the aorist calls for a decisive, definitive self-presentation to God (cf. 12:1).
ἑαυτοὺςyourselvesAccusativereflexive (direct object)
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of the one served
ὡσεὶascomparative particleὡσεί: 'as, like'; introducing the new identity — people alive from the dead.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκνεκρός: 'dead'; the believers' transfer from death to life (cf. v.4).
ζῶνταςalive/livingPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ζάωpredicate participle (in apposition to ἑαυτούς)→ present (ongoing)ζάω: 'live'; those who are now alive, raised with Christ.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheAccusativearticle
μέληmembersAccusativedirect objectμέλος: 'member'; now offered to God.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὅπλαweapons/instrumentsAccusativeobject complementὅπλον: 'weapon, instrument'; now arms in righteousness's service.
δικαιοσύνηςof righteousnessGenitiveattributive genitiveδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; the cause the members now serve.
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of the one served
14
ἁμαρτία γὰρ ὑμῶν οὐ κυριεύσει, οὐ γάρ ἐστε ὑπὸ νόμον ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ χάριν.
For sin will not have dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
The promise undergirding the command: sin will not master you — because your standing is not under law's regime but under grace's.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἁμαρτίαsinNominativesubjectἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the would-be lord whose dominion is broken.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὑμῶνover youGenitivegenitive (object of κυριεύσει)
οὐnotnegative particle
κυριεύσειwill have dominionFut Act Indic 3 Sg · κυριεύωmain verb→ predictive futureκυριεύω: 'be lord over, master' (cf. v.9); a promise — sin will not lord it over you.
οὐnotnegative particle
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (subjection)ὑπό + acc.: 'under (the authority of)'; the regime one lives within.
νόμονlawAccusativeobject of ὑπόνόμος: 'law'; the old order under which sin held sway (cf. 5:20; 7:5).
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (subjection)
χάρινgraceAccusativeobject of ὑπόχάρις: 'grace'; the new regime in which sin's dominion is broken — grace empowers as well as pardons.
15
Τί οὖν; ἁμαρτήσωμεν ὅτι οὐκ ἐσμὲν ὑπὸ νόμον ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ χάριν; μὴ γένοιτο.
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!
The objection in a new form: does freedom from law mean freedom to sin? Again the emphatic 'no' — and a fresh argument from slavery follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Τίwhatinterrogative pronoun
οὖνtheninferential conjunctionΤί οὖν;: 'what then?' — re-raising the antinomian question from a new angle (cf. v.1).
ἁμαρτήσωμενshall we sinAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἁμαρτάνωdeliberative subjunctive→ ingressive aoristἁμαρτάνω: 'sin'; the aorist suggests 'commit an act of sin' (vs. the durative ἐπιμένωμεν of v.1).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐσμὲνwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (subjection)
νόμονlawAccusativeobject of ὑπόνόμος: 'law'; quoting v.14 back as a pretext.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (subjection)
χάρινgraceAccusativeobject of ὑπόχάρις: 'grace'; misconstrued as license.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ optative)
γένοιτοmay it beAor Mid Opt 3 Sg · γίνομαιoptative of wishing (deprecation)→ voluntative optativeμὴ γένοιτο: 'by no means!'
16
οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ᾧ παριστάνετε ἑαυτοὺς δούλους εἰς ὑπακοήν, δοῦλοί ἐστε ᾧ ὑπακούετε, ἤτοι ἁμαρτίας εἰς θάνατον ἢ ὑπακοῆς εἰς δικαιοσύνην;
Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey — either of sin, leading to death, or of obedience, leading to righteousness?
The governing axiom: self-surrender makes you a slave — and there are only two masters, sin that ends in death or obedience that ends in righteousness.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
οὐκnotnegative particle
οἴδατεdo you not knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl (pres. sense) · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect w/ present forceοἶδα: 'know'; appealing again to common knowledge (cf. v.3).
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ᾧto whomDativerelative pronoun (dat. of indirect obj.)
παριστάνετεyou presentPres Act Indic 2 Pl · παριστάνωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary presentπαριστάνω: 'present, offer, place at disposal' (cf. v.13).
ἑαυτοὺςyourselvesAccusativereflexive (direct object)
δούλουςas slavesAccusativepredicate accusativeδοῦλος: 'slave, bondservant'; total belonging to a master — the chapter's controlling image.
εἰςfor/untopreposition + accusative (purpose)
ὑπακοήνobedienceAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)ὑπακοή: 'obedience' (cf. 1:5); the service the slave renders.
δοῦλοίslavesNominativepredicate nominativeδοῦλος: 'slave'; the inescapable conclusion — you belong to the one you obey.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
ᾧwhomDativerelative pronoun (object of ὑπακούετε)
ὑπακούετεyou obeyPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ὑπακούωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary presentὑπακούω: 'obey, submit'; obedience identifies the master.
ἤτοιeitherdisjunctive particleἤτοι … ἤ: 'either … or'; the stark two-master alternative.
ἁμαρτίαςof sinGenitivegenitive (the master)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the first possible master.
εἰςleading to/untopreposition + accusative (result)
θάνατονdeathAccusativeobject of εἰς (result)θάνατος: 'death'; the terminus of sin's slavery.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
ὑπακοῆςof obedienceGenitivegenitive (the master)ὑπακοή: 'obedience'; the alternative master — obedience (to God) personified.
εἰςleading to/untopreposition + accusative (result)
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativeobject of εἰς (result)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; the terminus of obedience's service.
17
χάρις δὲ τῷ θεῷ ὅτι ἦτε δοῦλοι τῆς ἁμαρτίας ὑπηκούσατε δὲ ἐκ καρδίας εἰς ὃν παρεδόθητε τύπον διδαχῆς,
But thanks be to God that, though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to the pattern of teaching to which you were handed over,
Gratitude breaks in: the Romans, once sin's slaves, came to obey from the heart the gospel mold into which they were delivered.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
χάριςthanksNominativesubject (verbless exclamation)χάρις: here 'thanks, gratitude'; χάρις τῷ θεῷ = 'thanks be to God.'
δὲbutadversative conjunction
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of recipient
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ἦτεyou wereImpf Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ imperfect (past state)εἰμί: 'be'; their former condition — slaves of sin.
δοῦλοιslavesNominativepredicate nominativeδοῦλος: 'slave'; their old bondage, now past.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitivegenitive (the former master)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the master they served before.
ὑπηκούσατεyou became obedientAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ὑπακούωmain verb→ constative aoristὑπακούω: 'obey'; the decisive turn of conversion — they came to obey.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
καρδίαςthe heartGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)καρδία: 'heart'; sincere, inward obedience — not mere external compliance.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal/conformity)
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (attracted; object of παρεδόθητε)
παρεδόθητεyou were handed over/deliveredAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · παραδίδωμιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver, entrust' (cf. 1:24); strikingly, they were handed over TO the teaching — a reversal of being handed over to sin.
τύπονpattern/moldAccusativeantecedent of ὃν (in rel. clause)τύπος: 'pattern, mold, type' (cf. 5:14); the 'form' or 'stamp' of teaching into which they were cast, like metal into a mold.
διδαχῆςof teachingGenitiveattributive genitiveδιδαχή: 'teaching, instruction' (cf. διδάσκω); the body of Christian doctrine — the mold shaping them.
18
ἐλευθερωθέντες δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς ἁμαρτίας ἐδουλώθητε τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ·
and having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
The paradox of grace: emancipation from sin is not autonomy but enlistment — freed from sin, they were enslaved to righteousness.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ἐλευθερωθέντεςhaving been set freeAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐλευθερόωadverbial participle (antecedent/causal)→ constative aoristἐλευθερόω: 'set free, liberate' (cf. ἐλεύθερος); manumission from sin's slavery.
δὲandconnective conjunction
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitiveobject of ἀπό (separation)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the old master left behind.
ἐδουλώθητεyou became slavesAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · δουλόωmain verb→ constative aoristδουλόω: 'enslave, bring into bondage' (cf. δοῦλος); freedom from sin = bondage to righteousness — no neutral autonomy exists.
τῇtoDativearticle
δικαιοσύνῃrighteousnessDativedat. of the master servedδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; the new, liberating master.
19
ἀνθρώπινον λέγω διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκὸς ὑμῶν· ὥσπερ γὰρ παρεστήσατε τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν δοῦλα τῇ ἀκαθαρσίᾳ καὶ τῇ ἀνομίᾳ εἰς τὴν ἀνομίαν, οὕτως νῦν παραστήσατε τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν δοῦλα τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ εἰς ἁγιασμόν.
I am speaking in human terms, because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
Pressing the slavery image home (with an apology for its crudeness): as once their members served impurity, now let them serve righteousness — with sanctification as the goal.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
ἀνθρώπινονin human termsAccusativeadverbial accusativeἀνθρώπινος: 'human, belonging to humanity'; 'I speak in a human way' — apologizing for the slave-metaphor's limits (cf. 3:5).
λέγωI speakPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ customary present
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀσθένειανweaknessAccusativeobject of διά (cause)ἀσθένεια: 'weakness, frailty' (cf. ἀσθενής); their human limitation, accommodated by the homely image.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivegenitive (of the weakness)σάρξ: 'flesh'; here human frailty/creatureliness, not yet the ethical 'flesh' of ch. 7–8.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὥσπερjust ascomparative conjunctionὥσπερ… οὕτως: 'just as… so' — past service to sin matched by present service to righteousness.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
παρεστήσατεyou presentedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · παρίστημιmain verb→ constative aoristπαρίστημι: 'present, yield' (cf. v.13); their former, settled self-surrender to sin.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
μέληmembersAccusativedirect objectμέλος: 'member, bodily part' (cf. v.13).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
δοῦλαas slavesAccusativepredicate accusative (neuter, agreeing w/ μέλη)δοῦλος: 'slave' (here neuter δοῦλα with μέλη); members enslaved.
τῇtoDativearticle
ἀκαθαρσίᾳimpurityDativedat. of the one servedἀκαθαρσία: 'uncleanness, impurity' (cf. 1:24); moral defilement, the old master.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῇtoDativearticle
ἀνομίᾳlawlessnessDativedat. of the one servedἀνομία: 'lawlessness' (ἀ- + νόμος); flagrant disregard of God's law.
εἰςleading to/untopreposition + accusative (result)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀνομίανlawlessnessAccusativeobject of εἰς (result)ἀνομία: 'lawlessness'; sin breeds more of itself — a downward spiral.
οὕτωςsoadverb (correlative)
νῦνnowadverb (time)νῦν: 'now'; the new era of obedience.
παραστήσατεpresentAor Act Impv 2 Pl · παρίστημιmain verb (positive command)→ ingressive aorist (decisive act)παρίστημι: 'present, offer'; the decisive call to enlist the members in righteousness's service.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
μέληmembersAccusativedirect object
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
δοῦλαas slavesAccusativepredicate accusative
τῇtoDativearticle
δικαιοσύνῃrighteousnessDativedat. of the one servedδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; the new master.
εἰςleading to/untopreposition + accusative (result/goal)
ἁγιασμόνsanctification/holinessAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)ἁγιασμός: 'sanctification, holiness, consecration' (cf. ἅγιος); the goal of righteousness's service — progressive holiness.
20
ὅτε γὰρ δοῦλοι ἦτε τῆς ἁμαρτίας, ἐλεύθεροι ἦτε τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
A bitter irony stated plainly: in their old slavery to sin they were 'free' only in the sense of being unconstrained by righteousness.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
δοῦλοιslavesNominativepredicate nominativeδοῦλος: 'slave'; their former bondage to sin.
ἦτεyou wereImpf Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ imperfect (past state)
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitivegenitive (the master)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the old master.
ἐλεύθεροιfreeNominativepredicate nominativeἐλεύθερος: 'free'; an ironic 'freedom' — uncommitted to, and unrestrained by, righteousness.
ἦτεyou wereImpf Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ imperfect (past state)
τῇin regard toDativearticle
δικαιοσύνῃrighteousnessDativedat. of referenceδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; that with respect to which they were 'free' — i.e. estranged from it.
21
τίνα οὖν καρπὸν εἴχετε τότε ἐφ' οἷς νῦν ἐπαισχύνεσθε; τὸ γὰρ τέλος ἐκείνων θάνατος.
So 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.
The accounting of that old life: its only crop was deeds now shameful, and their final outcome is death.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
τίναwhatAccusativeinterrogative adjective
οὖνthen/soinferential conjunction
καρπὸνfruitAccusativedirect objectκαρπός: 'fruit, produce' (cf. 1:13); the yield of the old life — found to be worthless.
εἴχετεwere you getting/havingImpf Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ imperfect (past, ongoing)ἔχω: 'have, get'; what return they were realizing then.
τότεat that timeadverb (time)τότε: 'then'; the former period of slavery to sin.
ἐφ'from/overpreposition + dative (basis/cause)
οἷςwhich (things)Dativerelative pronoun (object of ἐπί)
νῦνnowadverb (time)νῦν: 'now'; the present, enlightened perspective.
ἐπαισχύνεσθεyou are ashamedPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐπαισχύνομαιmain verb→ present (ongoing)ἐπαισχύνομαι: 'be ashamed of' (cf. 1:16); now they blush at what once enslaved them.
τὸtheNominativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τέλοςend/outcomeNominativesubjectτέλος: 'end, outcome, goal'; the final destination — here death.
ἐκείνωνof those thingsGenitivegenitive (of the end)
θάνατοςdeathNominativepredicate nominativeθάνατος: 'death'; the terminus of sin's harvest.
22
νυνὶ δέ, ἐλευθερωθέντες ἀπὸ τῆς ἁμαρτίας δουλωθέντες δὲ τῷ θεῷ, ἔχετε τὸν καρπὸν ὑμῶν εἰς ἁγιασμόν, τὸ δὲ τέλος ζωὴν αἰώνιον.
But now, having been set free from sin and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit leading to sanctification, and its end is eternal life.
The contrasting harvest of the new life: freed from sin and bound to God, their fruit now is holiness, and its end eternal life.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
νυνὶbut nowadverb (temporal, emphatic)νυνί: emphatic 'now' (cf. 3:21); the decisive change of era.
δέbutadversative conjunction
ἐλευθερωθέντεςhaving been set freeAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐλευθερόωadverbial participle (antecedent)→ constative aoristἐλευθερόω: 'set free' (cf. v.18); emancipated from sin.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitiveobject of ἀπό
δουλωθέντεςhaving become slavesAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · δουλόωadverbial participle (antecedent)→ constative aoristδουλόω: 'enslave' (cf. v.18); now bound to God — the good and freeing bondage.
δὲandconnective conjunction
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of the master servedθεός: God; the new master, in place of sin.
ἔχετεyou havePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ present (ongoing)ἔχω: 'have'; the present possession of a worthwhile harvest.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
καρπὸνfruitAccusativedirect objectκαρπός: 'fruit'; the yield of the new life — now genuinely valuable.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰςleading to/untopreposition + accusative (goal)
ἁγιασμόνsanctificationAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)ἁγιασμός: 'sanctification, holiness' (cf. v.19); the fruit's character and direction.
τὸtheNominativearticle
δὲandconnective conjunction
τέλοςend/outcomeNominativesubjectτέλος: 'end, outcome'; the final destination — now life, not death.
ζωὴνlifeAccusativepredicate accusative (or apposition)ζωή: 'life'; the goal of the holy harvest.
αἰώνιονeternalAccusativeattributive adjectiveαἰώνιος: 'eternal' (cf. 5:21); the life of the age to come.
23
τὰ γὰρ ὀψώνια τῆς ἁμαρτίας θάνατος, τὸ δὲ χάρισμα τοῦ θεοῦ ζωὴ αἰώνιος ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The chapter's epigrammatic summary: sin pays a wage — death; God gives a gift — eternal life in Christ; earned doom against unearned grace.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
τὰtheNominativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὀψώνιαwagesNominativesubjectὀψώνιον: 'wages, soldier's pay, rations' (originally provisions/pay for soldiers); sin pays its troops — and the pay is death. A wage is earned, owed.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitivesubjective genitive (sin pays)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the paymaster whose wage is death.
θάνατοςdeathNominativepredicate nominativeθάνατος: 'death'; the earned, owed wage.
τὸtheNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunction
χάρισμαfree giftNominativesubjectχάρισμα: 'free gift, gift of grace' (cf. 5:15–16); deliberately not 'wages' — a gift is unearned, the opposite of ὀψώνια.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivesubjective genitive (God gives)θεός: God; the giver of the gift.
ζωὴlifeNominativepredicate nominativeζωή: 'life'; the gift, set against death.
αἰώνιοςeternalNominativeattributive adjectiveαἰώνιος: 'eternal'; the life of the coming age.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/union)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (union)ἐν Χριστῷ: 'in Christ'; the sphere in which the gift is found and held.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
τῷtheDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativeapposition (title)κύριος: 'Lord'; the chapter ends, as the section does, on 'our Lord' (cf. 5:21).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship