1What should we say then? Rm 3:5 Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? Rm 3:8; 6:15

2Absolutely not! Lk 20:16 How can we who died to sin Rm 7:4,6; Gl 2:19; Col 2:20; 3:3; 1Pt 2:24 still live in it?

3Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized Mt 28:19; 1Co 1:13-17; 12:13; Gl 3:27 into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Ac 2:38; 8:16; 19:5

4Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, Col 2:12 in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead Ac 2:24 by the glory of the Father, Jn 11:40; 2Co 13:4 so we too may walk in a new way Or in newness of life. Rm 7:6; 2Co 5:17; Gl 6:15; Eph 4:23-24; Col 3:10

5For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of His death, 2Co 4:10; Php 3:10; Col 2:12; 3:1 we will certainly also be Be joined with Him in the likeness of His resurrection.

6For we know that our old self Lit man ; = the person before conversion Eph 4:22; Col 3:9 was crucified with Him Gl 2:20; 5:24; 6:14 in order that sin’s dominion over the body Lit that the body of sin may be abolished, Rm 7:24 so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin,

7since a person who has died 1Pt 4:1 is freed Or justified ; lit acquitted from sin’s claims. Lit from sin

8Now if we died with Christ, 2Co 4:10; 2Tm 2:11 we believe that we will also live with Him,

9because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, Ac 2:24 will not die again. Death no longer rules over Him. Rv 1:18

10For in light of the fact that He died, He died to sin once for all; but in light of the fact that He lives, He lives to God.

11So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin Rm 7:4,6; Gl 2:19; Col 2:20; 3:3; 1Pt 2:24 but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Other mss add our Lord

12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey Other mss add sin (lit it) in its desires.

13And do not offer any parts Or members of it to sin Rm 7:5; Col 3:5 as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, Rm 12:1; 2Co 5:14; 1Pt 2:24 and all the parts Or members of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness.

14For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law Rm 5:18; 7:4,6; Gl 4:21 but under grace. Rm 5:17,21

15What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Rm 6:1 Absolutely not! Lk 20:16

16Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone Lit that to whom you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, Rm 11:2; 1Co 3:16; 5:6; 6:2-3,9,15-16,19; 9:13,24 you are slaves of that one you obey Jn 8:34; 2Pt 2:19 — either of sin leading to death Rm 6:23 or of obedience leading to righteousness?

17But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, Rm 1:8; 2Co 2:14 you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were transferred Or entrusted to, 2Tm 1:3

18and having been liberated from sin, Jn 8:32; Rm 8:2 you became enslaved to righteousness.

19I am using a human analogy Lit I speak humanly ; Paul is personifying sin and righteousness as slave masters. Rm 3:5 because of the weakness of your flesh. Or your human nature For just as you offered the parts Or members of yourselves as slaves to moral impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification.

20For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from allegiance to righteousness. Lit free to righteousness Mt 6:24

21So what fruit was produced Lit what fruit do you have then from the things you are now ashamed of? Jr 12:13; Ezk 16:63; Rm 7:5 For the end of those things is death. Rm 1:32; 5:12; 8:6,13; Gl 6:8

22But now, since you have been liberated from sin and have become enslaved to God, 1Co 7:22; 1Pt 2:16 you have your fruit, which results in sanctification Or holiness Rm 7:4 — and the end is eternal life! 1Pt 1:9

23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Mt 25:46; Rm 5:21; 8:39