King James Version

What Does Romans 6:21 Mean?

Romans 6:21 in the King James Version says “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.” — study this verse from Romans chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Romans 6:21 · KJV

Context

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.

22

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

23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Read Romans 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?—tina oun karpon eichete tote eph' hois nyn epaischynesthe (τίνα οὖν καρπὸν εἴχετε τότε ἐφ᾿ οἷς νῦν ἐπαισχύνεσθε). Rhetorical question expecting the answer: none (or only bad fruit). Karpon (καρπόν, fruit) is agricultural metaphor for results, outcomes, consequences. The imperfect eichete (εἴχετε, had ye) suggests ongoing possession of worthless fruit. Nyn epaischynesthe (νῦν ἐπαισχύνεσθε, now ye are ashamed)—present tense indicates their current perspective: looking back with shame on former life.

For the end of those things is death—to gar telos ekeinōn thanatos (τὸ γὰρ τέλος ἐκείνων θάνατος). Telos (τέλος, end) means both terminus (final outcome) and telos (goal, purpose)—sin's destination and natural consequence is death (spiritual separation now, eternal destruction ultimately). Paul's logic: evaluate slavery by its fruit and destination. Sin's slavery produced shameful actions and leads to death—hardly desirable. In contrast, righteousness's slavery (v. 22) produces holiness and eternal life. The verse uses past experience to motivate present obedience: remember where sin leads, embrace righteousness's better fruit.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In Roman agriculture, trees/vines evaluated by their fruit—worthless fruit meant worthless tree. Jesus used similar metaphor (Matthew 7:16-20). Paul appeals to the Romans' experiential knowledge: their pre-conversion life produced shame, not satisfaction. Greco-Roman moralists also taught that vice leads to unhappiness, but Paul adds theological weight: sin's end is not merely unhappiness but death—eternal separation from God. The concept of moral cause-and-effect (sowing and reaping) was common in both Jewish wisdom literature and Greek philosophy, but Paul emphasizes the eschatological stakes.

Reflection Questions

  1. What specific 'fruit' from your pre-Christian life now produces shame, confirming sin's worthlessness?
  2. How does remembering sin's shameful fruit and deadly end motivate present holiness?
  3. Where might you still be pursuing 'fruit' that will ultimately produce shame and death rather than holiness and life?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
τίνα1 of 14

“What”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

οὖν2 of 14
G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

καρπὸν3 of 14

“fruit”

G2590

fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively

εἴχετε4 of 14

“had ye”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

τότε5 of 14

“then”

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

ἐφ'6 of 14

“in”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

οἷς7 of 14

“those things whereof”

G3739

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

νῦν8 of 14

“now”

G3568

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

ἐπαισχύνεσθε9 of 14

“ashamed”

G1870

to feel shame for something

τὸ10 of 14
G3588

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

γὰρ11 of 14

“for”

G1063

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

τέλος12 of 14

“the end”

G5056

properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e., (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitel

ἐκείνων13 of 14

“of those things”

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

θάνατος14 of 14

“is death”

G2288

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

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 6:21 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 6:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 1:32Romans 7:5Romans 6:23Proverbs 14:12Galatians 6:7-8Jeremiah 8:12

Test Your Knowledge

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

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