For
sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace.
Romans 6:14
Romans 6 [12.] Therefore don’t let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Also, do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace.
Romans 6 [15.] What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? May it never be! Don’t you know that when you present yourselves as servants and obey someone, you are the servants of whomever you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were delivered. Being made free from sin, you became bondservants of righteousness.
Meaning:
- Liberation from Sin's Dominion:
Sin Will Not Have Dominion: The opening assertion carries a message of liberation. Paul declares that sin does not hold dominion or mastery over the believer. This pronouncement is a powerful declaration of the transformative impact of grace on the believer's life.
Divine Intervention: The phrase "will not have dominion" implies a decisive and intentional intervention by God. It speaks of a radical shift in authority and control, emphasizing that sin's reign is decisively broken through the redemptive work of Christ.
- Not Under Law, but Under Grace:
Legal Framework: The contrast between being "under law" and "under grace" encapsulates a significant theological shift. Being "under law" implies a legalistic framework where adherence to the law becomes the basis for righteousness. However, Paul asserts that believers are under the transformative influence of God's grace.
Grace as the Governing Principle: The phrase "under grace" emphasizes the prevailing influence of grace in the believer's life. It suggests that grace, rather than legalistic observance, becomes the governing principle that shapes the believer's relationship with God and their response to sin.
- Significance of Freedom in Christ:
Empowerment for Holiness: Romans 6:14 communicates the empowering reality that believers are not left to wrestle with sin in their own strength. The grace of God, bestowed through Christ's redemptive work, empowers believers to live victoriously and pursue holiness.
New Identity in Christ: The declaration that sin will not have dominion over believers reinforces the transformative nature of their identity in Christ. It signifies a shift from bondage to sin to the freedom and authority found in being children of God.
Practical Application:
Embracing Grace-Based Living: Romans 6:14 invites believers to embrace a grace-based approach to their Christian journey. It encourages a mindset that acknowledges the transformative power of grace and relies on it as the catalyst for righteous living.
Living in Victory: The verse prompts believers to live with a consciousness of their freedom from sin's dominion. It encourages an active appropriation of the victory secured through Christ's work on the cross, resulting in a life marked by holiness and obedience.
Cross-References:
Galatians 5:18: "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." This parallel passage from Galatians echoes the theme of freedom from the law through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It aligns with the idea that believers are under a new and transformative influence.
Titus 2:11-12: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world." This passage from Titus underscores the transformative impact of God's grace, guiding believers toward righteous living.
In conclusion, Romans 6:14 stands as a beacon of hope and assurance for believers. It declares the liberation from sin's dominion through the profound influence of God's grace. As believers embrace this truth, they are empowered to live victoriously, anchored in their new identity in Christ and guided by the transformative reality of God's grace.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible