King James Version

What Does Romans 6:13 Mean?

Romans 6:13 in the King James Version says “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that a...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. instruments: Gr. arms, or, weapons”

Romans 6:13 · KJV

Context

11

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. instruments: Gr. arms, or, weapons

14

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

15

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid .

Read Romans 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin—mēde paristanete ta melē hymōn hopla adikias tē hamartia (μηδὲ παριστάνετε τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν ὅπλα ἀδικίας τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ). Present imperative again: stop presenting or don't start. Paristanete (παριστάνετε, yield, present, offer) was used of presenting sacrifices or soldiers presenting themselves for duty. Hopla (ὅπλα, weapons, instruments, tools) indicates body parts as instruments for either sin or righteousness. Adikias (ἀδικίας, unrighteousness) contrasts with righteousness—moral categories, not just ritual.

But yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead—the aorist imperative parastēsate (παραστήσατε, yield, present) suggests decisive action: once-for-all consecration of oneself to God. As those that are alive from the dead (hōsei ek nekrōn zōntas, ὡσεὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ζῶντας)—hōsei (as if, as it were) doesn't imply unreality but true status. And your members as instruments of righteousness unto God (kai ta melē hymōn hopla dikaiosynēs tō theō)—the same body parts formerly used for sin must now be actively presented for righteous purposes. This is the positive counterpart to v. 12's negative command.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The language of 'presenting members' echoed both military (soldiers presenting weapons/bodies for service) and cultic (priests presenting sacrifices) contexts. Roman soldiers took oaths of loyalty, presenting themselves for duty unto death. Paul transforms this: believers present their bodies as 'living sacrifices' (Romans 12:1). The contrast between serving sin vs. God was stark in Roman society's moral landscape, where sexual immorality, violence, and dishonesty were normalized. Christians' ethical distinctiveness—presenting bodies for righteousness—was countercultural witness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What specific 'members' (eyes, hands, tongue, etc.) do you need to stop presenting to sin as instruments of unrighteousness?
  2. How can you decisively present yourself to God 'as alive from the dead' in practical, daily consecration?
  3. In what ways can your body parts become 'instruments of righteousness'—actively used for God's purposes rather than merely avoiding sin?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
μηδὲ1 of 26

“Neither”

G3366

but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor

παραστήσατε2 of 26

“yield”

G3936

to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or

τὰ3 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μέλη4 of 26

“members”

G3196

a limb or part of the body

ὑμῶν5 of 26

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ὅπλα6 of 26

“as instruments”

G3696

an implement or utensil or tool (literally or figuratively, especially, offensive for war)

ἀδικίας7 of 26

“of unrighteousness”

G93

(legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act)

τῇ8 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁμαρτίᾳ9 of 26

“unto sin”

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

ἀλλὰ10 of 26

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

παραστήσατε11 of 26

“yield”

G3936

to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or

ἑαυτοὺς12 of 26

“yourselves”

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

τῷ13 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεῷ14 of 26

“unto God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ὡς15 of 26

“as”

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἐκ16 of 26

“from”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

νεκρῶν17 of 26

“the dead”

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

ζῶντας18 of 26

“those that are alive”

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

καὶ19 of 26

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰ20 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μέλη21 of 26

“members”

G3196

a limb or part of the body

ὑμῶν22 of 26

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ὅπλα23 of 26

“as instruments”

G3696

an implement or utensil or tool (literally or figuratively, especially, offensive for war)

δικαιοσύνης24 of 26

“of righteousness”

G1343

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

τῷ25 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεῷ26 of 26

“unto God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 6:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 6:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 12:1Romans 6:16Colossians 3:51 Peter 2:24Romans 7:51 Corinthians 6:20

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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