Romans 6:14 says, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” This is a profound verse with deep implications for the Christian life. In this article, we will explore the meaning of this verse and what it teaches us about sin, grace, and freedom in Christ.
The Context of Romans 6
Romans 6 comes in the broader context of Paul’s letter to the Romans. A key theme throughout Romans is the revelation of the righteousness of God (Rom 1:17). Paul argues that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Rom 3:23), but that God graciously declares righteous those who have faith in Christ (Rom 3:21-26). This righteousness from God comes not through works of the law but through faith in Christ (Rom 3:28).
Having established that righteousness comes through faith alone, Paul anticipates an objection in Romans 6: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Rom 6:1). In other words, “If grace and forgiveness abound all the more when we sin, why not continue in sin so that God’s grace can be magnified?”
Paul forcefully rejects this objection, arguing that believers have died to sin and been united with Christ in his death and resurrection (Rom 6:2-14). The believer’s old self was crucified with Christ so that they would no longer be enslaved to sin (Rom 6:6). This sets up the key verse – Romans 6:14.
Dead to Sin, Alive to God
Romans 6:14 comes after Paul has made the case that believers have died to sin through their union with Christ. Believers are no longer “in Adam” but are now “in Christ.” Their old self has been crucified and they have been raised to walk in newness of life with Christ (Rom 6:4). As Paul says in Romans 6:11, believers are to consider themselves “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
The connection between Romans 6:11 and Romans 6:14 is important. Because believers have died to sin through their union with Christ, Paul can say “sin will have no dominion over you.” The key word here is “dominion.” In Greek, the word is “kyrieuo” which refers to exercising lordship over someone or something. Before coming to Christ, sin exercised absolute lordship over us. But through union with Christ in his death and resurrection, sin’s dominion has been broken.
Sin no longer has mastery over the believer. Sin need not be obeyed. Through Christ, believers have been decisively freed from slavery to sin.
Under Grace, Not Under Law
Romans 6:14 goes on to provide an important contrast: “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Believers are no longer under the condemnation and dominion of the Mosaic law, but under the grace and favor of Christ.
This fits with Paul’s larger argument that righteousness is not achieved by works of the law, but is graciously granted on the basis of faith in Christ (Rom 3:21-24, 28; 4:5). The law reveals sin (Rom 3:20) but cannot conquer it. But Christ conquers sin and death through his atoning death and resurrection. Through faith-union with Christ, believers receive forgiveness of sins and right standing before God.
Because believers are under grace, not law, sin’s dominion has been decisively broken. The law condemned sinners; grace liberates and empowers sinners. As Paul says in Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
Practical Implications
Understanding the meaning of Romans 6:14 has profound practical implications for the Christian life. Here are a few key ones:
- Sin need no longer enslave us. We are free to walk in obedience to Christ.
- Temptation can be resisted because sin’s dominion has been broken.
- We can have victory over besetting sins as we reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God (Rom 6:11).
- Condemnation has no place in the Christian life; we live under grace not law.
- Our primary motivation is gratitude to Christ, not fear of punishment under the law.
- We have been decisively freed and empowered by the Spirit to bear fruit for God (Rom 7:4-6).
In summary, Romans 6:14 teaches that sin will not have mastery over believers because of their union with Christ in his death and resurrection. This is an incredibly hope-filled verse for all who struggle with sin’s lingering influence. United to Christ, we can walk in the newness of life that Christ purchased for us.
Exposition of Key Terms
Sin
“Sin” in Romans 6:14 refers to the power and principle of sin dwelling in unredeemed human nature. Paul personifies sin as a slave master exercising dominion over people. Sin deceives, ensnares, and leads to spiritual death (Rom 6:16, 23; 7:11). But Christ conquered sin once for all on the cross (Rom 8:3). Believers have been decisively freed from sin’s mastery and can now walk in obedience to God by the power of the Spirit (Rom 6:17-22).
Dominion
The Greek word translated “dominion” (kyrieuo) means to exercise lordship or mastery over someone or something. Before salvation, sin exercises absolute dominion over people, enslaving them to unrighteousness. Sin’s dominion leads to condemnation and death. But through faith-union with Christ, sin’s dominion over believers is decisively broken. Sin loses its mastery and tyrannical grip over those in Christ. This is reason to rejoice and walk in newness of life.
Grace
“Grace” refers to God’s unmerited favor and kindness demonstrated through Christ and received by faith. Grace stands in contrast to law in Romans 6:14. The law reveals God’s standards but cannot empower sinners to meet those standards. But in grace, God personally grants righteousness and new life as a free gift through Christ (Rom 3:24; 6:23). Grace does not overlook or condone sin but rather conquers it through Christ’s atoning death. Under grace, believers are no longer under sin’s mastery or the law’s condemnation (Rom 8:1-4).
Other Biblical Passages on Sin’s Dominion
Several other key passages in the New Testament speak to the believer’s freedom from sin’s dominion:
- John 8:34-36 – Jesus says that whoever commits sin is a slave to sin, but if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
- Romans 6:6-7, 18, 22 – Our old self was crucified with Christ so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
- Romans 7:4-6 – We have died to the law and been united with Christ so we can serve in the new way of the Spirit.
- Romans 8:2 – The law of the Spirit of Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death.
- Galatians 5:1 – For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
These passages highlight the definitive freedom from sin that believers have through their union with Christ. His death broke sin’s dominion so that by the power of the Spirit we are no longer enslaved but empowered to bear fruit for God.
Freedom from Sin’s Dominion Is Not Freedom to Sin
An important clarification regarding Romans 6:14 is that freedom from sin’s dominion does not mean freedom to go on sinning. Paul anticipated and rejected that false conclusion earlier in Romans 6: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!” (Rom 6:1-2).
While sin will not have dominion over believers, Christians are exhorted throughout the New Testament to put sin to death and pursue holiness:
- Romans 6:12-13 – Do not let sin reign in your mortal body or make provision for its desires.
- Romans 8:12-13 – Put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit.
- Romans 13:14 – Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh.
- Galatians 5:16 – Walk by the Spirit and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.
- Colossians 3:5 – Put to death therefore what is earthly in you.
- 1 Peter 2:11 – Abstain from the passions of the flesh.
Believers have been decisively freed from slavery to sin through union with Christ. But by the power of the Spirit we must actively strive against temptation and put sin to death in our lives. The Christian life is therefore described as a battle between the flesh and the Spirit (Gal 5:16-17). Freedom from sin’s dominion empowers us to wage war against indwelling sin.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key takeaways from Romans 6:14:
- Sin exercises mastery and tyranny over unbelievers, leading to death.
- Through faith-union with Christ, believers have died to sin and been set free from its dominion.
- Sin need no longer enslave believers; we have been decisively freed to obey and please Christ.
- We are under grace, not law. The law condemns sinners but grace liberates and empowers them.
- Freedom from sin’s dominion is not freedom to sin. Believers must actively wage war against sin.
- United to Christ, believers can walk in newness of life by the power of the Spirit.
The liberating truth that believers are under grace must be properly understood and applied. Rightly grasped, Romans 6:14 anchors our hope not in ourselves but in Christ’s finished work. All glory be to God for freedom from sin’s dominion through Jesus Christ our Lord!