Romans 6:21 kjv
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Romans 6:21 nkjv
What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
Romans 6:21 niv
What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!
Romans 6:21 esv
But 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.
Romans 6:21 nlt
And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom.
Romans 6 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 6:23 | For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life... | Direct consequence: death vs. eternal life. |
| Eph 5:11–12 | Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness...for it is shameful... | Deeds of darkness are fruitless and shameful. |
| Jas 1:15 | Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin...brings forth death. | Sin's progression leads to death. |
| Prov 14:12 | There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. | False paths leading to death. |
| Gen 2:17 | but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you must not eat... you will certainly die. | Original command linking sin to death. |
| Rom 5:12 | Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin... | Sin bringing death to all humanity. |
| Gal 6:8 | For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption... | Sowing to flesh results in decay and destruction. |
| Rom 8:6 | For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. | Mindset on flesh equals death. |
| Rom 7:5 | For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work...bearing fruit for death. | Sinful passions bear fruit for death. |
| John 8:51 | Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death. | Keeping Christ's word avoids spiritual death. |
| Matt 7:16–20 | You will recognize them by their fruits...Every good tree bears good fruit... | Discerning by fruits, bad fruit signifies bad tree. |
| Col 3:5–6 | Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality...because of these the wrath of God is coming. | Deeds of flesh invite wrath and judgment. |
| Ps 34:21 | Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. | The wicked face ultimate demise. |
| Is 47:3 | Your nakedness shall be uncovered...I will take vengeance, and I will spare no one. | Shame and judgment on ungodly actions. |
| Hos 4:7 | The more they increased, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame. | Increase in sin brings shame instead of glory. |
| Phil 3:19 | Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame... | Those focused on worldly desires face destruction. |
| Jude 1:13 | They are wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame... | False teachers' actions are shameful. |
| Prov 11:18 | The wicked earn deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. | Contrast of wicked's reward vs. righteous' reward. |
| 1 Pet 4:3 | For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do... | Previous pagan life now brings regret. |
| 2 Cor 7:10 | For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation...but worldly grief produces death. | Grief from sin can lead to death. |
Romans 6 verses
Romans 6 21 Meaning
Romans 6:21 is a rhetorical question and a definitive statement from Paul that powerfully challenges believers to reflect on their former life of sin. The "fruit" or outcome of their past sinful deeds was ultimately nothing of lasting value, leading only to shame in their present, regenerate state. Paul then explicitly states the undeniable consequence of such a life: the ultimate "end" or culmination of those actions is death, referring to spiritual and eternal separation from God.
Romans 6 21 Context
Romans chapter 6 is a pivotal discussion on the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection. Having declared justification by faith in earlier chapters, Paul now addresses the crucial implication: Does grace allow for continued sin? He vehemently denies this, arguing that believers have "died to sin" (v.2) through their baptism, symbolizing a union with Christ. They are no longer slaves to sin but instruments of righteousness.
Verse 21 falls within Paul's sustained contrast between the former "slavery to sin" and the new "slavery to righteousness" (vv. 19-22). He uses an analogy of changing masters. Having emphasized that the wages of sin is death and the gift of God is eternal life (v.23), this verse serves as a rhetorical setup, compelling the audience to inwardly agree on the barrenness and consequence of their past life. It directly appeals to their personal experience and post-conversion conviction, making the argument for embracing righteousness all the more potent. The historical context for the Roman church includes a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers, with many Gentiles having left pagan lifestyles (full of idolatry and immorality) to embrace Christianity, making the concept of "things of which you are now ashamed" highly relatable.
Romans 6 21 Word analysis
- What fruit: The Greek phrase is τίνα καρπὸν (tina karpon).
- τίνα (tina): Interrogative pronoun, meaning "what kind of," "which," or "what." It emphasizes the quality or nature of the fruit.
- καρπὸν (karpon): "Fruit," in this context, refers to the produce, outcome, or result of an action or way of life. Paul often uses this metaphor (Matt 7:16-20, Gal 5:22-23) to describe the results of spiritual and moral living. Here, it refers to the spiritual and practical results of their former sinful conduct.
- did you have then: Refers to their past life before conversion and being set free from sin. The emphasis on "then" underscores the temporal contrast with their present state as believers.
- in the things: Pertains to the sinful behaviors and practices characteristic of their previous life under sin's dominion. This includes idolatry, immorality, malice, and other vices common in pagan Roman society.
- of which you are now ashamed: The shame signifies a transformed perspective and conscience. This isn't just a legal guilt but a deeply personal, moral aversion to past actions now seen through the light of God's holiness. It confirms their genuine repentance and the effectiveness of Christ's work in their lives, establishing a new moral compass.
- For the end: The Greek is τὸ γὰρ τέλος (to gar telos).
- γὰρ (gar): A connective particle meaning "for" or "because," introducing the explanation or reason for the previous rhetorical question. It provides the basis for their shame and the futility of their past life.
- τέλος (telos): Means "end," "completion," "outcome," "goal," or "sum total." It refers not merely to the cessation but to the ultimate destination or the full measure of something. The telos of a life of sin is not just that it eventually stops, but that its inherent purpose and result is death.
- of those things: Referring back to the sinful acts and lifestyle previously mentioned. The emphasis is on the direct consequence of those specific actions.
- is death: The Greek is θάνατος (thanatos).
- θάνατος (thanatos): This is primarily spiritual and eternal death, not solely physical death. It signifies separation from God, who is the source of life, ultimately leading to condemnation. It echoes Genesis 2:17 and sets up the ultimate contrast with "eternal life" in Romans 6:23.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed?": This entire rhetorical question is designed to elicit a negative, self-evident answer. It forces introspection, bringing to the forefront the believer's personal experience of regretting their past sinful choices and seeing their true emptiness. The question itself functions as an argument.
- "For the end of those things is death.": This declarative statement provides the absolute and stark reason why shame is the appropriate response to their past life. It reveals the ultimate spiritual truth about the outcome of all sin, underscoring the severity of sin and the magnitude of God's grace in offering an alternative. The connection of "shame" and "death" highlights sin's deceptive nature, which promises pleasure but delivers only worthlessness and ultimate destruction.
Romans 6 21 Bonus section
Paul's rhetorical strategy in Romans 6 is often highlighted by scholars. He engages in a dialectical process, anticipating and answering potential objections from his readers. Verse 21, as a rhetorical question, perfectly fits this pattern. It pre-empts any thought that sin might have yielded positive outcomes, allowing Paul to proceed with the ultimate declaration of death as sin's payoff in verse 23. This is not merely a statement but an active challenge to the listener's memory and conscience.
The "shame" mentioned in the verse also functions as an internal testimony to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Before conversion, these actions might have been celebrated or considered normal; post-conversion, a new sense of divine moral standard makes them appear abhorrent and embarrassing. This shift from glorifying sin to being ashamed of it marks a genuine turning point in the believer's ethical and spiritual life, testifying to a renewed heart and mind (Rom 12:2).
Romans 6 21 Commentary
Romans 6:21 succinctly encapsulates the barrenness and ultimate danger of a life separated from God. Paul employs a brilliant rhetorical question, expecting the clear, unequivocal answer: "None!" The "fruit" of sinful behavior provides no lasting satisfaction or genuine good, a truth vividly brought home by the shame the converted now feel. This shame isn't just societal embarrassment; it's a deep, internal recognition of the futility and offense their previous actions presented to a holy God. This verse powerfully reminds us that sin's promises of fulfillment are hollow, leaving only regret and an awakened conscience.
The "for" introduces the profound theological reason for this shame: the inevitable "end" of such things is death. This is not simply a physical end, but a spiritual one—separation from the life-giving presence of God, culminating in eternal judgment. Paul's message is clear and uncompromising: while sin may offer fleeting pleasures, its ultimate trajectory is absolute destruction. This stark warning motivates believers to remain firm in their new life of righteousness, recognizing the infinite value of their liberation from sin's domain and the glorious alternative of eternal life. It urges believers to constantly re-evaluate their current "fruits" and ensures that they avoid anything that would lead them back to the shame and death they were saved from.