Romans 6 1

Romans 6:1 kjv

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Romans 6:1 nkjv

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

Romans 6:1 niv

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?

Romans 6:1 esv

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

Romans 6:1 nlt

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?

Romans 6 verses

Romans 6 1 Meaning

Romans 6:1 confronts a profound theological question that arises directly from Paul's previous statements about God's abounding grace where sin increased. It asks whether believers, having received overwhelming grace, should intentionally persist in sin to allow grace to be further magnified. Paul introduces this rhetorical question to directly address a potential, dangerous misinterpretation of the doctrine of grace, setting the stage for a thorough refutation in the subsequent verses. It's a pivot point from understanding justification to understanding sanctification and the ethical implications of a life in Christ.

Romans 6 1 Context

Romans 6:1 immediately follows Romans 5, where Paul passionately expounded on justification by faith, the effects of Adam's sin, and the abounding grace of God. Specifically, Romans 5:20 states, "Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." This declaration, highlighting grace's supremacy over sin and the Law, logically (and for some, problematically) could lead to the thought posed in 6:1. Paul, as a masterful teacher and arguer, anticipates this objection or misinterpretation, a rhetorical device he often employs (e.g., Rom 3:1, 3:9). He understands that some might twist the teaching that increased sin causes grace to "abound more" into a justification for continued sinning. Thus, Romans 6:1 marks a transition from Paul's deep theological exposition of how one is saved (justification) to the crucial question of how one should then live (sanctification). It challenges the audience to understand that grace does not provide a license to sin, but rather an empowerment for a new life free from sin's dominion.

Romans 6 1 Word analysis

• What shall we say then? (τί οὖν ἐροῦμεν; - ti oun eroumen?)
  • τί (ti): "What." A direct interrogative pronoun.
  • οὖν (oun): "Then," "therefore." An inferential particle, showing that this question arises directly from the preceding argument, particularly Rom 5:20-21. It signifies a logical next step or a concluding deduction being considered.
  • ἐροῦμεν (eroumen): "Shall we say?" Future tense of legō (to speak, say). Paul frequently uses this rhetorical device to anticipate and address potential objections or logical conclusions others might draw from his teaching (Rom 3:1, 3:9). It demonstrates Paul's deep engagement with the implications of his own theology and his understanding of potential misunderstandings among his audience.
• Are we to continue (ἐπιμένωμεν - epimenōmen)
  • ἐπιμένωμεν (epimenōmen): "Are we to continue?" "Are we to persist?" or "Are we to remain?" A subjunctive verb, expressing a question about what should or might happen. The prefix "epi-" (upon, on, in addition) intensifies the root "menō" (to abide, remain), suggesting a steadfast, persistent, or even deliberate abiding in something. It implies a conscious choice and ongoing action, not merely occasional stumble.
• in sin (τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ - tē hamartia)
  • τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ (tē hamartia): "In the sin." Hamartia means "missing the mark," but in Romans, particularly chapters 5-7, it often takes on a personified sense, referring not just to individual acts of transgression but to sin as a reigning power, a domain, or a spiritual force. To "continue in sin" implies remaining under the dominion and power of this oppressive force, not just committing occasional sinful acts. Paul is referring to a state of being and lifestyle characterized by allegiance to sin's reign.
• that grace may abound? (ἵνα ἡ χάρις πλεονάσῃ; - hina hē charis pleonasē?)
  • ἵνα (hina): "That," "in order that." A conjunction introducing a purpose or result clause. This clearly states the misguided rationale behind the rhetorical question: doing something for the purpose of a specific outcome.
  • ἡ χάρις (hē charis): "The grace." God's unmerited favor, unearned benevolence, and loving-kindness. It is the core of Paul's gospel. Here, it refers specifically to the concept of grace abounding or increasing, as presented in Rom 5:20-21.
  • πλεονάσῃ (pleonasē): "May abound," "may overflow," "may increase all the more." A subjunctive verb from pleonazō (to cause to abound, to have more than enough). It parallels perisseuō ("to abound," as used in Rom 5:20) in meaning. The question implies an absurd conclusion: using God's infinite, super-abundant grace as a motive for continuing in that which grace precisely defeats.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• What shall we say then?: This phrase indicates Paul's proactive engagement with the potential intellectual and practical ramifications of his robust theology of grace. He doesn't wait for his readers to ponder this dilemma themselves but raises it to definitively answer it, establishing clear ethical boundaries. It sets the stage for a critical theological and ethical clarification.
• Are we to continue in sin: This targets the core of the hypothetical antinomian argument. The verb "continue" with "in sin" refers to a deliberate, sustained state of living under sin's authority or within its realm. It's not about an accidental fall but a conscious decision to remain in that state, making it a lifestyle. The problem is not that grace permits isolated sins, but that it does not sanction a lifestyle of unrepentant sin.
• that grace may abound?: This reveals the flawed logic being challenged. The thought is that if grace increases where sin increases, then more sin might lead to more grace, creating a perverse justification for moral license. Paul identifies this twisting of God's redemptive purpose—where grace is no longer seen as transformative but as a mere eraser of consequences for ongoing disobedience.

Romans 6 1 Bonus section

• Paul's rhetorical strategy in Romans is often dialectical, posing a question or objection and then providing a vigorous answer, leading his readers through a logical argument. This is evident in Romans 6:1, where he presents the objection of "continuing in sin" as a logical but perverse deduction from the doctrine of abounding grace, before famously exclaiming "By no means!" (mē genoito!). This indicates that the thought is anathema to the Christian life.
• The "abound" (pleonazō) in 6:1 is deliberately echoed from "abounded all the more" (hypereperisseusen) in 5:20, creating a direct link between the prior statement and the problematic interpretation. This word choice underscores the precise theological connection Paul is addressing.
• The theological school of "Hyper-grace" in modern contexts often re-engages with similar discussions to what Paul addresses here, attempting to clarify how God's grace, while sufficient, still implies a call to ethical living and progressive sanctification, without lapsing into legalism. This verse is fundamental for understanding that true grace enables righteousness, it doesn't excuse sin.

Romans 6 1 Commentary

Romans 6:1 serves as a crucial turning point in Paul's letter, shifting the focus from justification to sanctification. It anticipates and directly confronts the erroneous conclusion that God's overflowing grace might be exploited as a license for continuous sin. Paul's rhetorical question is not posed because he considers it a valid path, but precisely because it is an egregious perversion of the Gospel message. His teaching that "where sin increased, grace abounded all the more" (Rom 5:20) could easily be misunderstood as encouraging antinomianism—the idea that believers are no longer bound by moral law because they are under grace.

Paul's purpose is to emphatically deny this possibility, laying the groundwork for his detailed explanation in the rest of Romans 6 on what it means to be "dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus." The very nature of God's grace, while unmerited and overflowing, is fundamentally transformative, not permissive of continued rebellion. True grace brings about a change in allegiance, leading believers out of the dominion of sin and into a new life of righteousness. The question implicitly highlights the incompatibility of continued, deliberate sin with a life truly justified by grace. It forces the reader to acknowledge that a relationship with a holy God through Christ demands a radical change in one's life direction and ethical commitment. This verse clarifies that grace is not a cheap ticket to heaven, but an expensive call to new life and obedience.