6:18a

You have been set free from sin: This clause is passive. The Greek clause refers generally to a past event. Some languages must use an active clause here. For example:

⌊God⌋ set you free from sin

set free from sin: This phrase indicates that God has removed believers from being under the control of the power of sin, like a slave is removed from his owner. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

You were made free from sin (New Century Version)
-or-
You have now been released from the authority of sin

6:18b

have become slaves to righteousness: This indicates that believers came under the control of righteousness, like a slave is given to a new master.

The subject is still “you (plur.).” For example:

you have become slaves of righteousness (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

slaves to righteousness: The word slaves is a figure of speech. It refers to believers allowing righteousness to rule their lives, like a master rules the lives of his slaves. Some languages cannot translate literally for the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Add “like/as” here. For example:

⌊as⌋ slaves of righteousness
-or-
you have become like enslaved to the doing of righteousness
-or-
God has put you as though righteousness was your ruler

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

God has put you under the direction/guide of righteousness
-or-
you are under the authority of righteousness

righteousness: Here this word refers to deeds and thoughts that God says are right to do or think. See how you translated this word in 6:13.

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