Paragraph 6:20–23

6:20a

For: Here this word introduces an explanation or the basis for what Paul said in 6:19b–e. It introduces 6:20–21 or 6:20–23.

slaves to sin: Here the word slaves is a figure of speech. It refers to believers allowing sin to rule their lives, like a master rules the lives of his slaves. If you added “slaves” before “of sin” in 6:16, see how you translated this phrase there.

6:20b

you were free of obligation to righteousness: This clause indicates that the believers, before they believed in Jesus, were not concerned about doing what was right before God. They did what they wanted to, not what God wanted them to do. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

you were free from righteousness (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
you felt no obligation to uprightness (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
you had no need to do righteous deeds
-or-
righteousness was not ruling you

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