6:14a
For: Here this word introduces an explanation of why believers must not let sin reign (6:12) and must not present their bodies to sin (6:13).
sin shall not be your master: There are several ways to interpret the Greek future tense here:
(1) It means will and indicates that after becoming believers in Jesus, sin no longer rules our lives. For example:
Sin will not be your master (New Century Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
(2) It means must and indicates that believers are not to allow sin to rule their lives. For example:
Sin must not be your master (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Contemporary English Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) or (2), but be careful of your choice of words, because it is unlikely that Paul would start a command with “For”.
shall not be your master: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shall…be your master refers to having great authority over someone. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
will no longer have any power over you (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
will not rule you
6:14b
you are not under law: This clause indicates that the Laws of Moses do not have authority over believers. Believers may look at the Law for guidance on how to live, but they do not need to follow every rule in it. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
you are living not under law (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
You are ruled by God’s kindness and not by the Law (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the Law ⌊of Moses⌋ does not sit over you
This clause does not imply that we are free from following any laws. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly imply that. If that is true in your language, explain that in your translation. For example:
your ⌊life in Christ⌋ is not ruled by the Law ⌊of Moses⌋
under grace: This clause indicates that grace has authority over believers. Here it indicates that God is kind to them. But unlike the laws of Moses, grace does not require them to follow certain rules. The words “you are” are implied here. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
you are living under grace
-or-
⌊the principle of⌋ grace sits over you
grace: This word refers to kindness that is given to people without requiring anything in return. This kindness is not given because they have done anything to deserve it. See how you translated this word in 1:5 or 6:1.
General Comment on 6:14b
In some languages it is more natural to have “under grace” before “not under law.” For example:
since you are under grace, not under law
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