Romans 6:1

What shall we say then? For the use of this clause see on Romans 4:1. In the previous chapter Paul has spoken of the universal degeneracy of man resulting from Adam’s fall. But he has assured the believer that, despite man’s inherited and cultivated tendencies to do evil, the grace of God is more than sufficient to save him from his sin, to turn transgression into righteousness and death into eternal life. The more sin has abounded, the more God’s grace has abounded. Does this imply, Paul inquires, that men might as well go on sinning, so that grace may abound all the more?

Shall we continue? Greek epimeno, meaning primarily, “to remain,” “to abide at,” or “to abide with” (see 1 Corinthians 16:8; Philippians 1:24). It also means “to persevere” (see Romans 11:23; Colossians 1:23). Paul’s question is, “Are we to persist in sinning?”

Paul has already alluded to the fact that the doctrine of justification by faith apart from works of law was being misrepresented by enemies as an encouragement to do evil that good may come (see on Romans 3:8). There was also a danger that even believers might abuse their new-found freedom (Galatians 5:13). Therefore, since such a misunderstanding of righteousness by faith involves so complete a failure to realize God’s purpose in His plan for the restoration of man, Paul carefully and vigorously explains the experience that must follow a genuine experience of justification, namely, sanctification.