The Wages of Sin

Romans 6:20-23 For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness. What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

‘For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness’ it is emphasized here the fact that a man cannot be a saint and a sinner; holy and sinful; and cannot serve God and satan, or be a servant of sin and righteousness at the same time (Matt. 6:24).

‘Fruit’ used here to refer to good and evil results (6:21-22; 7:4-5; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:9; Php. 1:11, 22; 4:17; Heb. 12:11).

‘Things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death’ – Sin has two main results: Present shame and emptiness (6:21); and future, eternal death and hell, the end of a life of sowing to the flesh (6:21-23; 8:13; Gal. 6:7-8; Rev. 20:6, 10-15).

‘Now being made free from sin’ – now, in the present life people are free from sin in Christ (2Cor. 5:17-18).

‘Become servants to God’ a change in masters means a change in service (Matt. 6:24).

‘You have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life’ – Righteousness has two main results: Present holiness of life (6:22); and future and eternal life, the end of a life of sowing to the Spirit (6:22-23; 8:13; Gal. 6:7-8).

‘Wages’ [Greek: opsonion] meaning recompense or wages. Divine justice is under obligation to give sinners their wages or be in debt to them forever (Luke 12:5; Rev. 20:11-15).

The present state of all men outside of Christ is that of being depraved, polluted and corrupt in all his nature. His understanding is darkened (Eph. 2:3; 4:18); his conscience defiled (Heb. 10:22); his will obstinate and rebellious (Rom. 8:7); his affections carnal and sensual (Eph. 2:1-3; Gal. 5:19-21; Mark 7:19-21; Rom. 1:18-32; 1Cor. 6:9-11); his thoughts evil continually (Gen. 6:5; 2Cor. 10:4-5); his heart full of abominations (Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:19-21; Rom. 1:18-32); and his life and conduct devoted to living in divers lusts and pleasures of all kinds (1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18-32). He is a “servant of sin” (John 8:34); “unrighteous” (1Cor. 6:9-11; Ps. 51:5; Eph. 2:1-3); “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1-9); “alienated from God” by wicked works (Col. 1:20-22); “separated” from God by his sins (Isa. 59:2); “without hope, and without God” in the world (Eph. 2:11-13;4:13-32; Rom. 3:9-25); blind to the truth (2Cor. 4:4; Eph. 4:18); lustful (Eph. 2:3); and doomed to eternal death and Hell (Rom. 6:23; Matt. 25:41, 46; Rev. 14:9-11; 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8; Jude 1:7; Isa. 66:22-24).

‘Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ’ eternal life is a free gift (5:15-18; Eph. 2:8-9; John 10:28). People merit hell, but not eternal life. Jesus Christ alone procured it and gives it freely to all who believe (John 3:16; 6:27; Rom. 3:24).