Romans 6 14

Romans 6:14 kjv

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 6:14 nkjv

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 6:14 niv

For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 6:14 esv

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 6:14 nlt

Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace.

Romans 6 verses

Romans 6 14 Meaning

Romans 6:14 declares that sin's power will no longer dominate believers, asserting that this liberation is a direct result of being transferred from a system based on legal adherence ("under the law") to one founded on God's unmerited favor and empowerment ("under grace"). It signifies a decisive break from sin's tyrannical reign and a new, divinely enabled capacity for righteousness.

Romans 6 14 Context

Romans chapter 6 directly addresses a potential misunderstanding arising from Paul's teaching on grace in chapters 3-5: If grace abounds where sin increases (Rom 5:20), should believers continue in sin so that grace may be even greater (Rom 6:1)? Paul vehemently refutes this, explaining that believers have died with Christ and risen to a new life. Baptism symbolizes this identification with Christ's death and resurrection (Rom 6:3-5). Therefore, believers are "dead to sin" and "alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom 6:11). The preceding verses (Rom 6:12-13) issue a clear imperative not to let sin reign or present one's body as instruments of unrighteousness. Romans 6:14 provides the ground and assurance for this command, stating why they do not have to succumb to sin's dominion: their status has changed from "under law" to "under grace." Historically, both Jewish legalism (emphasizing strict adherence to the Mosaic Law) and Gentile moral permissiveness or philosophical rigor were prevalent. Paul presents grace not as an excuse for laxity but as the dynamic power for a transformed life, surpassing both legalism and libertinism.

Romans 6 14 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ - gar): This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding commands (Rom 6:12-13). It assures believers why they do not need to let sin reign—because its power over them has been definitively broken.

• sin (ἁμαρτία - hamartia): Here, "sin" refers not primarily to individual sinful acts but to the principle, power, or tyranny of sin personified as a master or king. It denotes the missing of God's mark, encompassing humanity's fallen nature and its inherent propensity towards disobedience.

• shall no longer (οὐ γὰρ ἐξουσιάσει - ou gar exousiasei): The strong negative particle "οὐ" (ou, "no") combined with the future tense of the verb "ἐξουσιάσει" (exousiasei, from exousiazō, meaning to have authority over, to master) makes this an emphatic promise and an assured future reality. Sin will decisively not exercise authority.

• be your master (ὑμῶν κυριεύσει - humōn kyrieusei): The verb kyrieusei (from kyrieuō) means to "lord over," "rule," or "have dominion." It suggests sovereign control or ownership, underscoring the idea of sin as a powerful, enslaving ruler. The implication is that this mastery is broken, no longer having authority over them as subjects.

• because (γὰρ - gar): Another conjunction indicating the foundational reason or ground for the declaration that sin will not master them. It connects the assurance directly to their changed status.

• you are not (οὐκ ἐστὲ - ouk este): A firm negation using "οὐκ" (ouk, "not") and the verb "ἐστὲ" (este, "you are"), emphasizing the reality of their present condition.

• under (ὑπὸ - hypo): This preposition indicates subjection, being under the power, authority, or influence of something. It signifies the controlling factor in one's life.

• the law (νόμον - nomon): Refers primarily to the Mosaic Law. Paul portrays the Law as a system of commandments that reveals sin, increases the knowledge of transgression, and cannot grant righteousness or power over sin (Rom 3:20, 7:7-13). Being "under the law" meant living under its condemnation for failure and its inability to provide power for obedience.

• but (ἀλλά - alla): A strong adversative conjunction, highlighting a clear contrast and a decisive switch from the previous state.

• under grace (ὑπὸ χάριν - hypo charin): This signifies a new sphere of existence. "Grace" (χάριν - charin) is God's unmerited favor, His benevolent action towards humanity, providing salvation, justification, and power for living. Being "under grace" means being under the empowering influence and transforming power of God's Spirit, based on Christ's work, rather than under a system of meritorious performance.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "sin shall no longer be your master": This phrase is not a mere exhortation or wish, but a declarative promise. It announces the definitive abolition of sin's former authoritative power over the believer. It is an objective truth about the believer's new status in Christ, enabling subjective experience of victory.
  • "because you are not under the law, but under grace": This clause provides the theological explanation for sin's dethronement. The Law, while holy and good, defined sin and showed humanity's inability to perfectly keep it, thus activating sin's power and bringing condemnation. Grace, however, brings divine enabling power, forgiveness, and transformation through the Holy Spirit, delivering from both sin's guilt and its dominion. It sets up a contrast between two distinct 'spheres' or 'authorities' governing one's spiritual life.

Romans 6 14 Bonus section

The assurance in Romans 6:14 underlines a shift in one's fundamental legal and spiritual standing before God. It's a statement about where authority lies – it’s no longer with sin through the lens of law, but with Christ through the lens of grace. This does not grant license to sin, but rather provides the necessary enablement for genuine righteousness. The concept of "under grace" should be understood as "under grace's dominion" or "under grace's rule," just as being "under law" meant "under law's rule." Grace is therefore not passive forgiveness, but an active, transforming power, aligning the believer's will and capacity with God's. This verse provides the motivation and empowerment for the imperatives Paul gave in Romans 6:12-13. The ability to resist sin does not originate from personal striving to fulfill legal obligations, but from a profound change in the source of one's spiritual power—from self-effort to divine enablement.

Romans 6 14 Commentary

Romans 6:14 is a pivotal declaration, assuring believers that sin's former tyrannical dominion over their lives has been irrevocably broken. This verse does not suggest that believers will never commit sin, but rather that sin no longer holds the reins of their life; it is no longer their default master compelling obedience. The power for this liberation comes from being "under grace" instead of "under the law." "Under the law" highlights a system that, while revealing God's perfect standard, lacked the power to deliver from sin's grip, often leading to guilt and despair as it exposed human inability. Conversely, "under grace" signifies a new, dynamic reality where God's empowering favor is operative. Grace doesn't merely pardon sin; it actively empowers the believer to resist and overcome its influence. This means a transformation of allegiance: instead of being slaves to sin compelled by a lack of power to obey the Law, believers are now recipients of divine power enabling obedience out of gratitude and a new nature. It establishes the groundwork for true holiness, where the fight against sin is waged not in one's own strength to keep rules, but by leaning on God's indwelling Spirit. This freedom from sin's mastery is the basis for a life lived in practical righteousness, willingly presenting oneself to God.