King James Version

What Does Romans 6:19 Mean?

Romans 6:19 in the King James Version says “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to ... — study this verse from Romans chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Romans 6:19 · KJV


Context

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.

19

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

20

For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. from: Gr. to righteousness

21

What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your fleshanthrōpinon legō dia tēn astheneian tēs sarkos hymōn (ἀνθρώπινον λέγω διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκὸς ὑμῶν). Paul acknowledges his slavery metaphor is anthrōpinon (ἀνθρώπινον, human, in human terms)—imperfect but pedagogically helpful. Astheneia tēs sarkos (ἀσθένεια τῆς σαρκός, weakness of the flesh) refers to intellectual/spiritual dullness, not physical frailty—they need concrete metaphors to grasp spiritual realities. Sarx (σάρξ, flesh) here means fallen human nature with its limited understanding.

For as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquityhōsper gar parestēsate ta melē hymōn doula tē akatharsia kai tē anomia eis tēn anomian (ὥσπερ γὰρ παρεστήσατε τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν δοῦλα τῇ ἀκαθαρσίᾳ καὶ τῇ ἀνομίᾳ εἰς τὴν ἀνομίαν). The comparison hōsper... houtōs (just as... so now) establishes parallel: formerly presented members to sin with zeal, now present them to righteousness with equal zeal. Akatharsia (ἀκαθαρσία, uncleanness) and anomia (ἀνομία, lawlessness) describe pagan life—ritual impurity and moral chaos. Eis tēn anomian (εἰς τὴν ἀνομίαν, unto lawlessness) indicates progressive corruption: sin begets more sin. Even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holinesshoutōs nyn parastēsate ta melē hymōn doula tē dikaiosynē eis hagiasmon. Present imperative: continuously offer. Eis hagiasmon (εἰς ἁγιασμόν, unto holiness/sanctification) indicates progressive sanctification: righteousness begets holiness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's acknowledgment of using human analogy reflects rabbinic teaching methods (mashal, parable) and Greek pedagogical practice of using concrete examples for abstract truth. 'Uncleanness' (akatharsia) would resonate with Jewish purity laws but here means moral impurity. Greco-Roman paganism's sexual license, idolatry, and ethical relativism exemplified 'lawlessness' (anomia). Paul calls for equal (or greater) zeal in serving righteousness as they formerly gave to sin—a total life reorientation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How zealously are you serving righteousness compared to the zeal you once gave to sin?
  2. What 'infirmity of flesh' (spiritual dullness) keeps you from fully grasping your new identity in Christ?
  3. What practical steps toward 'holiness' result from progressively yielding your members to righteousness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
ἀνθρώπινον1 of 34

after the manner of men

G442

human

λέγω2 of 34

I speak

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

διὰ3 of 34

because

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὴν4 of 34
G3588

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

ἀσθένειαν5 of 34

of the infirmity

G769

feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty

τῆς6 of 34
G3588

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

σαρκὸς7 of 34

flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

ὑμῶν8 of 34

of your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ὥσπερ9 of 34

as

G5618

just as, i.e., exactly like

γὰρ10 of 34

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

παραστήσατε11 of 34

ye have yielded

G3936

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

τὰ12 of 34
G3588

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

μέλη13 of 34

members

G3196

a limb or part of the body

ὑμῶν14 of 34

of your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

δοῦλα15 of 34
G1401

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

τῇ16 of 34
G3588

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

ἀκαθαρσίᾳ17 of 34

to uncleanness

G167

impurity (the quality), physically or morally

καὶ18 of 34

and

G2532

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

τῇ19 of 34
G3588

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

ἀνομίαν20 of 34

iniquity

G458

illegality, i.e., violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness

εἰς21 of 34

unto

G1519

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

τὴν22 of 34
G3588

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

ἀνομίαν23 of 34

iniquity

G458

illegality, i.e., violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness

οὕτως24 of 34

even so

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

νῦν25 of 34

now

G3568

"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate

παραστήσατε26 of 34

ye have yielded

G3936

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

τὰ27 of 34
G3588

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

μέλη28 of 34

members

G3196

a limb or part of the body

ὑμῶν29 of 34

of your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

δοῦλα30 of 34
G1401

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

τῇ31 of 34
G3588

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

δικαιοσύνῃ32 of 34

to righteousness

G1343

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

εἰς33 of 34

unto

G1519

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

ἁγιασμόν34 of 34

holiness

G38

properly, purification, i.e., (the state) purity; concretely (by hebraism) a purifier


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 6:19 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 6:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study