King James Version

What Does Romans 6:16 Mean?

Romans 6:16 in the King James Version says “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto... — study this verse from Romans chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Romans 6:16 · KJV


Context

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 .

16

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. which: Gr. whereto ye were delivered

18

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obeyouk oidate hoti hō paristanete heautous doulous eis hypakoēn, douloi este hō hypakouete (οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ᾧ παριστάνετε ἑαυτοὺς δούλους εἰς ὑπακοήν, δοῦλοί ἐστε ᾧ ὑπακούετε). The rhetorical question assumes the principle is self-evident. Doulous (δούλους, slaves) is emphatic—total ownership and submission. Voluntary enslavement was known in Roman law (debt slavery); Paul applies the principle spiritually: whoever you obey is your master, regardless of claims to freedom.

Whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousnessētoi hamartias eis thanaton ē hypakoēs eis dikaiosynēn (ἤτοι ἁμαρτίας εἰς θάνατον ἢ ὑπακοῆς εἰς δικαιοσύνην). Two mutually exclusive slaveries, two opposite destinations: serving sin leads to death (both spiritual and eternal), serving obedience leads to righteousness (right standing and right living). Hypakoēs (ὑπακοῆς, obedience) is personified parallel to sin—obedience to God/righteousness. The destinations are inevitable consequences: sin's wages are death (v. 23), obedience's fruit is righteousness. Middle ground doesn't exist—neutrality is impossible. Everyone serves someone; the question is whom.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Roman slavery was ubiquitous and total: slaves had no legal personhood, no rights, no autonomy—complete subjugation to their master's will. Unlike American chattel slavery (race-based), Roman slavery resulted from conquest, debt, or birth to slaves. The metaphor would be viscerally understood. Voluntary enslavement occurred when someone sold themselves to pay debts or gain a powerful patron's protection. Paul's point: despite claims to autonomy, everyone is enslaved—either to sin or to God. True freedom is serving the right master.

Reflection Questions

  1. What evidence in your life reveals which master you're truly serving—sin or obedience?
  2. How does understanding that 'neutrality' is impossible (you're always serving someone) change your view of 'small' sins?
  3. What areas of your life need to be brought under obedience to God rather than remaining in service to sin?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
οὐκ1 of 21

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

οἴδατε2 of 21

Know ye

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι3 of 21

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

4 of 21

to whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

παριστάνετε5 of 21

ye yield

G3936

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

ἑαυτοὺς6 of 21

yourselves

G1438

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

δοῦλοί7 of 21

his servants

G1401

a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)

εἰς8 of 21

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ὑπακοῆς9 of 21

obey

G5218

attentive hearkening, i.e., (by implication) compliance or submission

δοῦλοί10 of 21

his servants

G1401

a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)

ἐστε11 of 21

ye are

G2075

ye are

12 of 21

to whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ὑπακούετε13 of 21

ye obey

G5219

to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e., to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority

ἤτοι14 of 21

whether

G2273

either indeed

ἁμαρτίας15 of 21

of sin

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

εἰς16 of 21

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

θάνατον17 of 21

death

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

18 of 21

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ὑπακοῆς19 of 21

obey

G5218

attentive hearkening, i.e., (by implication) compliance or submission

εἰς20 of 21

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

δικαιοσύνην21 of 21

righteousness

G1343

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


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 6:16 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 6:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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