Romans 6:21 essentially asks: "What lasting good did you get from the sinful things you used to do? Now, looking back, aren't you ashamed of them? Because those sins only lead to destruction and ultimately spiritual death."
Let's break it down piece by piece:
"What fruit then did you have at that time..." This is a rhetorical question. "Fruit" here represents the results, benefits, or consequences of their past actions when they were living a life of sin. It's asking, "What positive outcomes came from those behaviors?"
"...in the things of which you are now ashamed?" Paul assumes that the Roman Christians, now converted, recognize the sinfulness of their past actions and feel remorse for them. It highlights the contrast between their former lifestyle and their present, transformed state.
"For the end of those things is death." This is the key point. The ultimate consequence of living a life dominated by sin is spiritual death – separation from God and eternal destruction. It's a stark reminder of the gravity of sin and the necessity of choosing a different path.
In simpler terms, the verse argues:
Think about your old life of sin. What good came from it? Probably nothing. In fact, you're likely ashamed of those things now. And that's because those things ultimately lead to death, not life.
Context within Romans 6:
This verse is part of a larger argument Paul makes in Romans 6, where he emphasizes that Christians have died to sin and are now alive in Christ. He urges them to no longer live as slaves to sin, but to live as slaves to righteousness. Verse 21 serves to drive home the point by reminding them of the futility and destructive nature of their past lives before their conversion.
In essence, Romans 6:21 is a powerful call to consider the long-term consequences of sin and to embrace the freedom and life that are found in Christ. It challenges believers to reflect on their past, recognize the emptiness of a life lived apart from God, and to pursue a life of righteousness that leads to eternal life.
Romans 6:21 essentially asks: "What lasting good did you get from the sinful things you used to do? Now, looking back, aren't you ashamed of them? Because those sins only lead to destruction and ultimately spiritual death."
Let's break it down piece by piece:
"What fruit then did you have at that time..." This is a rhetorical question. "Fruit" here represents the results, benefits, or consequences of their past actions when they were living a life of sin. It's asking, "What positive outcomes came from those behaviors?"
"...in the things of which you are now ashamed?" Paul assumes that the Roman Christians, now converted, recognize the sinfulness of their past actions and feel remorse for them. It highlights the contrast between their former lifestyle and their present, transformed state.
"For the end of those things is death." This is the key point. The ultimate consequence of living a life dominated by sin is spiritual death – separation from God and eternal destruction. It's a stark reminder of the gravity of sin and the necessity of choosing a different path.
In simpler terms, the verse argues:
Think about your old life of sin. What good came from it? Probably nothing. In fact, you're likely ashamed of those things now. And that's because those things ultimately lead to death, not life.
Context within Romans 6:
This verse is part of a larger argument Paul makes in Romans 6, where he emphasizes that Christians have died to sin and are now alive in Christ. He urges them to no longer live as slaves to sin, but to live as slaves to righteousness. Verse 21 serves to drive home the point by reminding them of the futility and destructive nature of their past lives before their conversion.
In essence, Romans 6:21 is a powerful call to consider the long-term consequences of sin and to embrace the freedom and life that are found in Christ. It challenges believers to reflect on their past, recognize the emptiness of a life lived apart from God, and to pursue a life of righteousness that leads to eternal life.