Romans 6 · Verse 15

Romans 6:15

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Romans 6:15, King James Version

Romans 6:15 in other translations

BSBWhat then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!
WEBWhat then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!
ASVWhat then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid.
YLTWhat then? shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? let it not be!
DARBYWhat then? should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Far be the thought.
BBEWhat then? are we to go on in sin because we are not under law but under grace? Let it not be so.
WebsterWhat then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? By no means.

What does Romans 6:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 6:15-16
15-16. What then? ... Know ye not--it is a dictate of common sense.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 15. What then? shall we sin, etc. The apostle proceeds to notice an objection which might be suggested. "If Christians are not under the law, which forbids all sin, but are under grace, which pardons sin, will it not follow that they will feel themselves released from obligation to be holy? Will they not commit sin freely, since the system of grace is one which contemplates pardon, and which will lead them to believe that they may be forgiven to any extent?" This consequence has been drawn by many professing Christians; and it was well, therefore, for the apostle to guard against it.

God forbid. Rom 3:4.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 Shall we sin because we are not under the law - Shall we abuse our high and holy calling because we are not under that law which makes no provision for pardon, but are under that Gospel which has opened the fountain to wash away all sin and defilement? Shall we sin because grace abounds? Shall we do evil that good may come of it? This be far from us!

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 6:11-15

The strongest motives against sin, and to enforce holiness, are here stated. Being made free from the reign of sin, alive unto God, and having the prospect of eternal life, it becomes believers to be greatly concerned to advance thereto. But, as unholy lusts are not quite rooted out in this life, it must be the care of the Christian to resist their motions, earnestly striving, that, through Divine grace, they may…

Read the full comment on Romans 6:11-15 →

Romans 6:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤίTiWhatG5101
οὖν;ounthen?G3767
ἁμαρτήσωμεν,hamartēsōmenShall we sinG264
ὅτιhotibecauseG3754
οὐκouknotG3756
ἐσμὲνesmenwe areG1510
ὑπὸhupounderG5259
νόμονnomonlawG3551
ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235
ὑπὸhupounderG5259
χάριν;charingrace?G5485
μὴmēNeverG3361
γένοιτο.genoitowould it be!G1096

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 6:15

  • Titus 2:11-14

    For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

  • Ephesians 2:8-10

    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

  • Romans 6:1-2

    What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

  • 2 Corinthians 7:1

    Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

  • Jude 1:4

    For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:20-21

    And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

  • Galatians 2:17-18

    But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

  • Romans 3:9

    What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
What.
3:9
shall we.
1,2; 1Co 9:20,21; 2Co 7:1; Ga 2:17,18; Eph 2:8-10; Tit 2:11-14
Jude 1:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Romans 6:14

    For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

  • Romans 6:15

    What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

  • Romans 6:16

    Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Read all of Romans 6

Romans 6:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
¿Pues qué? ¿Pecaremos, porque no estamos bajo de la ley, sino bajo de la gracia? En ninguna manera.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Quoi donc! pécherions-nous, parce que nous ne sommes pas sous la loi, mais sous la grâce? – Qu’ainsi n’advienne!
German
Elberfelder 1871
Was nun, sollten wir sündigen, weil wir nicht unter Gesetz, sondern unter Gnade sind? Das sei ferne!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Quid ergo? peccabimus, quoniam non sumus sub lege, sed sub gratia? Absit.