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Text -- Romans 6:19 (NET)

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Context
6:19 (I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.) For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
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Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Rom 6:19 - -- I speak after the manner of men ( anthrōpinon legō ). "I speak a human word."He begs pardon for using "slaving"in connection with righteousness. ...

I speak after the manner of men ( anthrōpinon legō ).

"I speak a human word."He begs pardon for using "slaving"in connection with righteousness. But it is a good word, especially for our times when self-assertiveness and personal liberty bulk so large in modern speech. See note on Rom 3:5; Gal 3:15 where he uses kata anthrōpon .

Robertson: Rom 6:19 - -- Because of the infirmity of your flesh ( dia tēn astheneian tēs sarkos humōn ). Because of defective spiritual insight largely due to moral def...

Because of the infirmity of your flesh ( dia tēn astheneian tēs sarkos humōn ).

Because of defective spiritual insight largely due to moral defects also.

Robertson: Rom 6:19 - -- Servants to uncleanness ( doula tēi akatharsiāi ). Neuter plural form of doulos to agree with melē (members). Patently true in sexual sins,...

Servants to uncleanness ( doula tēi akatharsiāi ).

Neuter plural form of doulos to agree with melē (members). Patently true in sexual sins, in drunkenness, and all fleshly sins, absolutely slaves like narcotic fiends.

Robertson: Rom 6:19 - -- So now ( houtōs nun ). Now that you are born again in Christ. Paul uses twice again the same verb paristēmi , to present (parestēsate , parast...

So now ( houtōs nun ).

Now that you are born again in Christ. Paul uses twice again the same verb paristēmi , to present (parestēsate , parastēsate ).

Robertson: Rom 6:19 - -- Servants to righteousness ( doula tēi dikaiosunēi ). Repeats the idea of Rom 6:18.

Servants to righteousness ( doula tēi dikaiosunēi ).

Repeats the idea of Rom 6:18.

Robertson: Rom 6:19 - -- Unto sanctification ( eis hagiasmon ). This the goal, the blessed consummation that demands and deserves the new slavery without occasional lapses or...

Unto sanctification ( eis hagiasmon ).

This the goal, the blessed consummation that demands and deserves the new slavery without occasional lapses or sprees (Rom 6:15). This late word appears only in lxx, N.T., and ecclesiastical writers so far. See note on 1Th 4:3; 1Co 1:30. Paul includes sanctification in his conception of the God-kind (Rom 1:17) of righteousness (both justification, 1:18-5:21 and sanctification, chapters 6-8). It is a life process of consecration, not an instantaneous act. Paul shows that we ought to be sanctified (6:1-7:6) and illustrates the obligation by death (Rom 6:1-14), by slavery (Rom 6:15-23), and by marriage (Rom 7:1-6).

Vincent: Rom 6:19 - -- After the manner of men ( ἀνθρώπινον ) Lit., what is human , popularly . He seems to have felt that the figures of service, b...

After the manner of men ( ἀνθρώπινον )

Lit., what is human , popularly . He seems to have felt that the figures of service, bondage, etc., were unworthy of the subject, and apologizes for his use of the image of the slave mart to enforce such a high spiritual truth, on the ground of their imperfect spiritual comprehension. Compare 2Co 2:6; 1Co 3:1, 1Co 3:2.

Vincent: Rom 6:19 - -- To iniquity unto iniquity ( τῇ ἀνομίᾳ εἰς τὴν ἀνομίαν ) Iniquity issuing in an abiding iniquitous state. L...

To iniquity unto iniquity ( τῇ ἀνομίᾳ εἰς τὴν ἀνομίαν )

Iniquity issuing in an abiding iniquitous state. Lit., lawlessness . It is used by John as the definition of sin, 1Jo 3:4.

Vincent: Rom 6:19 - -- Holiness ( ἁγιασμόν ) Rev., sanctification . For the kindred adjective ἅγιος holy , see on saints , Act 26:10. Ἁγια...

Holiness ( ἁγιασμόν )

Rev., sanctification . For the kindred adjective ἅγιος holy , see on saints , Act 26:10. Ἁγιασμός is used in the New Testament both of a process - the inauguration and maintenance of the life of fellowship with God, and of the resultant state of sanctification. See 1Th 4:3, 1Th 4:7; 2Th 2:13; 1Ti 2:15; 1Pe 1:2; Heb 12:14. It is difficult to determine which is meant here. The passages in Thessalonians, Timothy, and Hebrews, are cited by interpreters on both sides. As in Rom 6:22 it appears that sanctification contemplates a further result (everlasting life), it is perhaps better to understand it as the process . Yield your members to righteousness in order to carry on the progressive work of sanctification, perfecting holiness (1Co 7:1).

Wesley: Rom 6:19 - -- Thus it is necessary that the scripture should let itself down to the language of men.

Thus it is necessary that the scripture should let itself down to the language of men.

Wesley: Rom 6:19 - -- Slowness of understanding flows from the weakness of the flesh, that is, of human nature. As ye have presented your members servants to uncleanness an...

Slowness of understanding flows from the weakness of the flesh, that is, of human nature. As ye have presented your members servants to uncleanness and iniquity unto iniquity, so now present your members servants of righteousness unto holiness - Iniquity (whereof uncleanness is an eminent part) is here opposed to righteousness; and unto iniquity is the opposite of unto holiness. Righteousness here is a conformity to the divine will; holiness, to the whole divine nature. Observe, they who are servants of righteousness go on to holiness; but they who are servants to iniquity get no farther. Righteousness is service, because we live according to the will of another; but liberty, because of our inclination to it, and delight in it.

JFB: Rom 6:19 - -- Descending, for illustration, to the level of common affairs.

Descending, for illustration, to the level of common affairs.

JFB: Rom 6:19 - -- The weakness of your spiritual apprehension.

The weakness of your spiritual apprehension.

JFB: Rom 6:19 - -- "as ye yielded," the thing being viewed as now past.

"as ye yielded," the thing being viewed as now past.

JFB: Rom 6:19 - -- The practice of

The practice of

JFB: Rom 6:19 - -- Rather, "unto (the attainment of) sanctification," as the same word is rendered in 2Th 2:13; 1Co 1:30; 1Pe 1:2 : --that is, "Looking back upon the hea...

Rather, "unto (the attainment of) sanctification," as the same word is rendered in 2Th 2:13; 1Co 1:30; 1Pe 1:2 : --that is, "Looking back upon the heartiness with which ye served Sin, and the lengths ye went to be stimulated now to like zeal and like exuberance in the service of a better Master."

Clarke: Rom 6:19 - -- I speak after the manner of men - This phrase is often used by the Greek writers to signify what was easy to be comprehended; what was ad captum vul...

I speak after the manner of men - This phrase is often used by the Greek writers to signify what was easy to be comprehended; what was ad captum vulgi , level with common understandings, delivered in a popular style; what was different from the high flights of the poets, and the studied sublime obscurity of the philosophers

Clarke: Rom 6:19 - -- Because of the infirmity of your flesh - As if he had said: I make use of metaphors and figures connected with well-known natural things; with your ...

Because of the infirmity of your flesh - As if he had said: I make use of metaphors and figures connected with well-known natural things; with your trades and situation in life; because of your inexperience in heavenly things, of which ye are only just beginning to know the nature and the names

Clarke: Rom 6:19 - -- Servants to uncleanness, etc. - These different expressions show how deeply immersed in and enslaved by sin these Gentiles were before their convers...

Servants to uncleanness, etc. - These different expressions show how deeply immersed in and enslaved by sin these Gentiles were before their conversion to Christianity. Several of the particulars are given in the first chapter of this epistle.

Calvin: Rom 6:19 - -- 19.I speak what is human, etc. He says that he speaks after the manner of men, not as to the substance but as to the manner. So Christ says, in Joh...

19.I speak what is human, etc. He says that he speaks after the manner of men, not as to the substance but as to the manner. So Christ says, in Joh 3:12, that he announced earthly things, while yet he spoke of heavenly mysteries, though not so magnificently as the dignity of the things required, because he accommodated himself to the capacities of a people ignorant and simple. And thus the Apostle says, by way of preface, that he might more fully show how gross and wicked is the calumny, when it is imagined, that the freedom obtained by Christ gives liberty to sin. He reminds the faithful at the same time, that nothing is more unreasonable, nay, base and disgraceful, than that the spiritual grace of Christ should have less influence over them than earthly freedom; as though he had said, “I might, by comparing sin and righteousness, show how much more ardently ye ought to be led to render obedience to the latter, than to serve the former; but from regard to your infirmity I omit this comparison: nevertheless, though I treat you with great indulgence, I may yet surely make this just demand — that you should not at least obey righteousness more coldly or negligently than you served sin.” It is a sort of reticence or silence, a withholding of something when we wish more to be understood than what we express. He does yet exhort them to render obedience to righteousness with so much more diligence, as that which they served is more worthy than sin, though he seems not to require this in so many words. 198

===As ye have presented, === etc.; that is, “As ye were formerly ready with all your faculties to serve sin, it is hence sufficiently evident how wretchedly enslaved and bound did your depravity hold you to itself: now then ye ought to be equally prompt and ready to execute the commands of God; let not your activity in doing good be now less than it was formerly in doing evil.” He does not indeed observe the same order in the antithesis, by adapting different parts to each other, as he does in 1Th 4:7, where he sets uncleanness in opposition to holiness; but the meaning is still evident.

He mentions first two kinds — uncleanness and iniquity; the former of which is opposed to chastity and holiness, the other refers to injuries hurtful to our neighbour. But he repeats iniquity twice, and in a different sense: by the first he means plunders, frauds, perjuries, and every kind of wrong; by the second, the universal corruption of life, as though he had said, “Ye have prostituted your members so as to perpetrate all wicked works, and thus the kingdom of iniquity became strong in you” 199 By righteousness I understand the law or the rule of a holy life, the design of which is sanctification, as the case is when the faithful devote themselves to serve God in purity.

TSK: Rom 6:19 - -- I speak : Rom 3:5; 1Co 9:8, 1Co 15:32; Gal 3:15 because : Rom 8:26, Rom 15:1; Heb 4:15 for as ye : Rom 6:13, Rom 6:17; 1Co 6:11; Eph 2:2, Eph 2:3; Col...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Rom 6:19 - -- I speak after the manner of men - I speak as people usually speak; or I draw an illustration from common life, in order to make myself better u...

I speak after the manner of men - I speak as people usually speak; or I draw an illustration from common life, in order to make myself better understood.

Because of the infirmity of your flesh - The word "infirmity"means weakness, feebleness; and is opposed to vigor and strength. The word "flesh"is used often to denote the corrupt passions of people; but it may refer here to their intellect, or understanding; "Because of your imperfection of spiritual knowledge; or incapacity to discern arguments and illustrations that would be more strictly spiritual in their character."This dimness or feebleness had been caused by long indulgence in sinful passions, and by the blinding influence which such passions have on the mind. The sense here is, "I use an illustration drawn from common affairs, from the well-known relations of master and slave, because you will better see the force of such an illustration with which you have been familiar, than you would one that would be more abstract, and more strictly spiritual."It is a kind of apology for drawing an illustration from the relation of master and slave.

For as ye have yielded - Note, Rom 6:13. Servants to uncleanness. Have been in bondage to impurity. The word "uncleanness"here refers to impurity of life in any form; to the degraded passions that were common among the heathen; see Rom. 1.

And to iniquity - Transgression of law.

Unto iniquity - For the purpose of committing iniquity. It implies that they had done it in an excessive degree. It is well for Christians to be reminded of their former lives, to awaken repentance, to excite gratitude, to produce humility and a firmer purpose to live to the honor of God. This is the use which the apostle here makes of it.

Unto holiness - In order to practice holiness. Let the surrender of your members to holiness be as sincere and as unqualified as the surrender was to sin. This is all that is required of Christians. Before conversion they were wholly given to sin; after conversion they should be wholly given to God. If all Christians would employ the same energies in advancing the kingdom of God that they have in promoting the kingdom, of Satan, the church would rise with dignity and grandeur, and every continent and island would soon feel the movement. No requirement is more reasonable than this; and it should be a source of lamentation and mourning with Christians that it is not so; that they have employed so mighty energies in the cause of Satan, and do so little in the service of God. This argument for energy in the divine life, the apostle proceeds further to illustrate by comparing the rewards obtained in the two kinds of servitude, that of the world, and of God.

Poole: Rom 6:19 - -- I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: q.d. I accommodate myself to your capacity, because of the weakness of your u...

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: q.d. I accommodate myself to your capacity, because of the weakness of your understanding in spiritual things; therefore I use this familiar similitude of service and freedom, that by these secular and civil things you might the better understand such as are spiritual: see Joh 3:12 .

For as ye have yielded, &c.: q.d. The great thing that I desire of you (and it is most reasonable) is this, that you would be as sedulous and careful now to obey God, as you have formerly been to obey and serve sin; to do good, as you have been to do evil.

To uncleaness to fleshly lusts, which defile you.

To iniquity unto iniquity i.e. adding one sin to another; or else by the former you may understand original, by the latter actual sin. He useth three words about the service of sin, and but two about the service of God; wicked men take great pains for hell; oh that we would take the same for heaven.

Haydock: Rom 6:19 - -- I speak a human thing, [2] or I am proposing to you what is according to human strength and ability assisted by the grace of God, with a due regard to...

I speak a human thing, [2] or I am proposing to you what is according to human strength and ability assisted by the grace of God, with a due regard to the weakness and infirmity of your flesh. The sense, according to St. John Chrysostom is this, that the apostle having told them they must be dead to sin, lead a new life, &c. he now encourages them to it, by telling them, that what is required of them is not above their human strength, as it is assisted by those graces which God offers them, and which they have received. Where we may observe that these words, I speak of a human thing, are not the same, nor to be taken in the same sense, as chap. iii. 6. when he said, I speak after a human way, or I speak like men. (Witham) ---

What I ask of you Christian Romans, is, that you so earnestly labour for your sanctification as to improve daily in virtue, as formerly you plunged every day deeper and deeper into vice. (Menochius)

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[BIBLIOGRAPHY]

Humanum dico, Greek: anthropinon lego; chap. iii. 6. Secundum hominem, Greek: kat anthropon. See St. John Chrysostom, hom. xii.

Gill: Rom 6:19 - -- I speak after the manner of men,.... This refers either to what the apostle had said already concerning service and liberty, things which were known a...

I speak after the manner of men,.... This refers either to what the apostle had said already concerning service and liberty, things which were known among men, and easy to be understood; or to the following exhortation: what he was about to say, he delivered in a manner suited to their understandings, and was ανθρωπινον, "that which was human"; not angelic, or what required the power, purity, and perfection of angels; or what was unreasonable or impossible, but what was their reasonable service, as men; and might be done through the grace of God, in the strength of Christ, and by the assistance of the Spirit: and though he might have insisted upon it with good reason, that they ought to be more diligent and industrious in the service of God than they had been in the service of sin; yet

because of the infirmity of their flesh, considering that they had flesh, or corrupt nature, and were attended with weakness in knowledge, faith, and obedience; he only pressed this upon them, that in like manner as they had been servants to sin, they would be servants to righteousness:

for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness, and to iniquity unto iniquity; what they yielded to the service of sin were their "members"; by which, as before, may be meant, either the powers and faculties of their souls, or the parts and members of their bodies, or both; and particularly the latter, as the eyes and ears, the tongue, the mouth, the hands, and feet, which are all employed by a natural man in the drudgery of sin: these are yielded to sin under the form and character of "servants"; and as such are governed, directed, and ordered to fulfil this and the other lust, which is done willingly and readily: these members are "yielded", presented, and given up cheerfully to this slavery; which is both scandalous and unrighteous: it is "to uncleanness"; which designs all sorts of pollution and filthiness, both of flesh and spirit: "and to iniquity"; everything that is contrary to the law, all unrighteousness and ungodliness; and it is added, "unto iniquity"; which may design all sorts of sin, a progress in it, adding continually to it; which shows them to have been thorough hearty servants of sin. Now what the apostle exhorts to, and requires of them, is, that

even so now they would yield their members servants to righteousness unto holiness; that is, let the same members that have been employed in the service of sin, be made use of in the service of righteousness: let your eyes be employed in looking and diligently searching into the Scriptures of truth; your ears in hearing the Gospel preached; your lips, mouth, and tongue, in expressing the praises of God, for what he has done for you; your hands in distributing to the interest of religion, and the necessities of the saints; and your feet in hastening to attend on public worship, and observe the testimonies of the Lord: let them be employed under the same form and character as servants, waiting upon the Lord, ready to fulfil his will; and in the same manner, freely, willingly, and cheerfully, and that constantly and universally, in all acts of righteousness and holiness.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Rom 6:19 Verse 19 forms something of a parenthetical comment in Paul’s argument.

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Rom 6:1-23 - --1 We may not live in sin;2 for we are dead unto it;3 as appears by our baptism.12 Let not sin reign any more;18 because we have yielded ourselves to t...

MHCC: Rom 6:16-20 - --Every man is the servant of the master to whose commands he yields himself; whether it be the sinful dispositions of his heart, in actions which lead ...

Matthew Henry: Rom 6:1-23 - -- The apostle's transition, which joins this discourse with the former, is observable: " What shall we say then? Rom 6:1. What use shall we make of t...

Barclay: Rom 6:15-23 - --To a certain type of mind the doctrine of free grace is always a temptation to say, "If forgiveness is as easy and as inevitable as all that, if God...

Constable: Rom 6:1--8:39 - --IV. THE IMPARTATION OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS chs. 6--8 The apostle moved on from questions about why people need s...

Constable: Rom 6:1-23 - --A. The believer's relationship to sin ch. 6 "Subduing the power of sin is the topic of Rom. 6."172

Constable: Rom 6:15-23 - --2. Slavery to righteousness 6:15-23 In the first part of this chapter Paul explained that Christ has broken the bonds of sin that enslave the Christia...

College: Rom 6:1-23 - --6:1-8:39 - PART THREE THE ALL-SUFFICIENCY OF GRACE GIVES VICTORY OVER SIN Though some divide Paul's argument between chs. 4 and 5, with 5-8 forming...

McGarvey: Rom 6:19 - --I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity un...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Romans (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Romans Spring of a.d. 57 By Way of Introduction Integrity of the Epistle The genuineness of the Epistle is so generally adm...

JFB: Romans (Book Introduction) THE GENUINENESS of the Epistle to the Romans has never been questioned. It has the unbroken testimony of all antiquity, up to CLEMENT OF ROME, the apo...

JFB: Romans (Outline) INTRODUCTION. (Rom. 1:1-17) THE JEW UNDER LIKE CONDEMNATION WITH THE GENTILE. (Rom. 2:1-29) JEWISH OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. (Rom 3:1-8) THAT THE JEW IS S...

TSK: Romans (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Romans is " a writing," says Dr. Macknight, " which, for sublimity and truth of sentiment, for brevity and strength of expression,...

TSK: Romans 6 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Rom 6:1, We may not live in sin; Rom 6:2, for we are dead unto it; Rom 6:3, as appears by our baptism; Rom 6:12, Let not sin reign any mo...

Poole: Romans 6 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 6

MHCC: Romans (Book Introduction) The scope or design of the apostle in writing to the Romans appears to have been, to answer the unbelieving, and to teach the believing Jew; to confir...

MHCC: Romans 6 (Chapter Introduction) (Rom 6:1, Rom 6:2) Believers must die to sin, and live to God. (Rom 6:3-10) This is urged by their Christian baptism and union with Christ. (Rom 6:1...

Matthew Henry: Romans (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans If we may compare scripture with scripture, and take the opinion ...

Matthew Henry: Romans 6 (Chapter Introduction) The apostle having at large asserted, opened, and proved, the great doctrine of justification by faith, for fear lest any should suck poison out of...

Barclay: Romans (Book Introduction) A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL The Letters Of Paul There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letter...

Barclay: Romans 6 (Chapter Introduction) Dying To Live (Rom_6:1-11) The Practice Of The Faith (Rom_6:12-14) The Exclusive Possession (Rom_6:15-23)

Constable: Romans (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical Background Throughout the history of the church, from postapos...

Constable: Romans (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1-17 A. Salutation 1:1-7 1. The writer 1:1 ...

Constable: Romans Romans Bibliography Alford, Henry. The Greek Testament. 4 vols. New ed. Cambridge: Rivingtons, 1881. ...

Haydock: Romans (Book Introduction) THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE ROMANS. INTRODUCTION. After the Gospels, which contain the history of Christ, and the Acts of...

Gill: Romans (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS Though this epistle is in order placed the first of the epistles, yet it was not first written: there were several epistles ...

Gill: Romans 6 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS 6 The Apostle having finished his design concerning the doctrine of justification, refutes the charge brought against it as ...

College: Romans (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION I. ROMANS: ITS INFLUENCE AND IMPORTANCE God's Word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path (Ps 119:105), and no part of it shine...

College: Romans (Outline) VIII. OUTLINE PROLOGUE - 1:1-17 I. EPISTOLARY GREETING - 1:1-7 A. The Author Introduces Himself - 1:1 1. A Slave of Christ Jesus 2. Call...

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