Romans 6 22

Romans 6:22 kjv

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Romans 6:22 nkjv

But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

Romans 6:22 niv

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

Romans 6:22 esv

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

Romans 6:22 nlt

But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.

Romans 6 verses

Romans 6 22 Meaning

Romans 6:22 encapsulates the profound transformation experienced by believers who have been delivered from the dominion of sin. It describes a shift from servitude to sin, which resulted in death, to willing submission to God, leading to spiritual fruit, a life progressively dedicated to holiness (sanctification), and ultimately, the glorious culmination of eternal life. This verse highlights both an accomplished fact (freedom from sin) and an ongoing process (producing fruit, growing in sanctification), culminating in a final, secure destiny.

Romans 6 22 Context

Romans chapter 6 is a pivotal discussion on the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection. Paul begins by addressing the question of whether believers should "continue in sin that grace may abound" (Rom 6:1). He emphatically answers "By no means!" (Rom 6:2), explaining that those baptized into Christ have died to sin and are raised to walk in newness of life. He elaborates on the concept of being "dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom 6:11), urging believers not to let sin reign in their mortal bodies. The immediate context for verse 22 is Paul's continued use of the master-slave analogy (Rom 6:16-21). He contrasts the old life of slavery to sin, which resulted in "death" (Rom 6:21), with the new life of willing submission (slavery) to God, leading to vastly different and glorious results, which verse 22 outlines.

Romans 6 22 Word analysis

• But now (νυνί δέ - nyni de): Marks a strong contrast with the previous state of slavery to sin, especially highlighting the shift from Rom 6:21 ("the outcome of those things is death"). It signifies a decisive change, a new reality.
• having been set free (ἐλευθερωθέντες - eleutherōthentes): A passive aorist participle, emphasizing that this freedom is a completed action wrought by God. It indicates a legal and spiritual emancipation from sin's power and condemnation, a divine act of liberation, not a self-initiated effort. The word implies being "released" or "emancipated" from bondage.
• from sin (ἀπὸ τῆς ἁμαρτίας - apo tēs hamartias): Signifies separation and deliverance from the controlling power of "sin" as a master. The Greek "apo" denotes "from, away from," indicating a definitive break. This refers to the sphere of sin's reign.
• and having become slaves (δουλωθέντες - doulōthentes): Another passive aorist participle. This is also an act done to them by God, reflecting a new identity and relationship. It means to be "enslaved" or "brought into bondage." It reintroduces the paradox of freedom into a new, positive "slavery." This servitude is not oppressive but liberating in a profound spiritual sense.
• of God (θεῷ - theō): The divine Master in this new relationship. This denotes absolute ownership and submission. Unlike the destructive master "sin," God is a benevolent and just Master whose service leads to ultimate good.
• you have (ἔχετε - echete): An active, present indicative verb, showing this is a present possession and ongoing reality for the believer.
• your fruit (τὸν καρπὸν ὑμῶν - ton karpon hymōn): Refers to the outcome, result, or yield. In the New Testament, "fruit" often symbolizes moral or spiritual virtues produced by one's character and actions (e.g., fruit of the Spirit). It implies observable, ethical changes.
• leading to (εἰς - eis): A preposition indicating purpose or result; it directs towards a goal or destination.
• sanctification (ἁγιασμόν - hagiasmon): This denotes the process of becoming holy, the state of being consecrated or set apart for God. It's an ongoing, progressive work of conforming the believer to Christ's image. It encompasses practical holiness, ethical transformation, and purification from sin.
• and the outcome (τὸ δὲ τέλος - to de telos): "Telos" signifies the end, goal, consummation, or ultimate result. It distinguishes this final state from the intermediate "fruit leading to sanctification."
• eternal life (ζωὴν αἰώνιον - zōēn aiōnion): The ultimate, unending spiritual life that belongs to the age to come, which is now possessed in part by believers. It's not just a matter of duration but quality – participation in God's very life, characterized by joy, righteousness, and peace.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But now having been set free from sin and having become slaves of God": This phrase powerfully juxtaposes two states. "But now" (nyni de) marks a definitive shift. The twin passive participles "set free" (eleutherōthentes) and "become slaves" (doulōthentes) highlight that this change is fundamentally God's work for the believer, not human striving. Freedom from one master (sin) leads not to autonomy but to voluntary, joyous submission to a new, righteous Master (God). This "slavery" to God is the true freedom, in contrast to the illusory "freedom" under sin.
• "you have your fruit leading to sanctification": This points to the immediate, visible, and continuous effects of the new relationship. The "fruit" (karpos) represents concrete ethical and spiritual changes in the believer's life, a natural outflow of the Spirit's work. This fruit does not earn salvation but is the evidence and progression of a transformed life. The phrase "leading to sanctification" (eis hagiasmon) indicates the dynamic, ongoing process of growing in holiness and separation for God's purposes, suggesting that this "fruit" is instrumental in the sanctification journey.
• "and the outcome, eternal life": This establishes the ultimate and definitive end result of this new covenant relationship. "Outcome" (telos) signifies the final consummation, an assured inheritance. "Eternal life" (zōēn aiōnion) is presented not just as a future reward but as the destiny that encapsulates the fullness of spiritual life with God, both now and forever. It is the antithesis of the "death" mentioned as the outcome of slavery to sin in Rom 6:21.

Romans 6 22 Bonus section

• The freedom from sin described here is absolute in terms of sin's power to condemn and dominate. However, it does not mean the absence of sin's temptation or the struggle against indwelling sin for the believer (Rom 7). The freedom is from the tyranny of sin, allowing for active resistance.
• The concept of "slavery to God" transforms the negative connotation of "slavery." For a believer, it represents total commitment, loyalty, and joyful submission to the One who loved them perfectly, offering true liberation and purpose within this new bond. This is often termed "voluntary slavery" or "service."
• "Sanctification" in this verse refers to progressive sanctification. Believers are declared holy (justification) at conversion (positional sanctification), but they also undergo a lifelong process of growing in practical holiness. The "fruit" here contributes to and evidences this growth.

Romans 6 22 Commentary

Romans 6:22 is a declaration of divine victory and the believer's blessed consequences. It serves as a conclusive summary of the radical exchange that takes place when a person is justified by grace through faith. No longer bound by sin, which offered no genuine reward but only destruction, the believer is divinely liberated from that oppressive dominion. This liberation, however, is not a license for unrestrained self-will, but rather a re-alignment of ultimate loyalty – a transfer of servitude from sin to God. This new relationship with God naturally, yet by divine empowerment, produces spiritual fruit. These fruits are not only an ethical transformation (holiness in action) but also fuel the ongoing process of sanctification – being set apart more and more for God's glory and conforming to His character. The final and glorious culmination of this journey is eternal life, which is not merely an extended lifespan but participation in God's divine, true, and abundant life, realized in increasing measure now and fully in the age to come. This verse reassures believers of both present reality (freedom, fruit, sanctification) and future certainty (eternal life).