6:18
The gospel is about setting us free from sin, and become “slaves” of righteousness. I have put slaves in quotation marks here because of what Paul says in the next verse. The error being dealt with here is the notion that sin is somehow desirable. Now in the short term sin can seem to be desirable either because of the pleasure it offers, or the gain (financial or status) it may seem to give, or because it offers a way out of a fix. However, on any rational assessment sin is not desirable, for many reasons. Three of these reasons are:
It makes us subject to judgement
It enslaves us, this is the point that Paul is focusing on in these verses. It dominates our lives.
It is harmful to others and to society as a whole.
6:19
“I am speaking in human terms”. Paul is using the slave analogy to help the people understand. With regard to being enslaved to sin it is a very good analogy, we do become slaves to sin. However, in regard to “slaves to righteousness” it is a very loose analogy. Our being slaves of righteousness is accurate in that give our allegiance to righteousness (or, rather to God, and therefore to righteousness), but God is a very good master! And, of course, He is much more than a master, He is also our Father. Paul then goes on to draw a distinction between the effects of being slaves to sin and to righteousness. One leads to lawlessness, the other to sanctification.
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