Romans 6:15-23

Fourteenth Passage (6:15-23). The Power of the new Principle of Sanctification to deliver from Sin.

The new principle had just been laid down. The apostle had found it in the object of justifying faith. But could a principle so spiritual, apart from every external and positive rule, take hold of the will with power enough to rule it thoroughly? To this natural objection, formulated in Romans 6:15, St. Paul answers as follows: by the acceptance of grace a new master has been substituted for the former, sin (Romans 6:16-19); and the believer feels himself obliged to serve this new master with the more fidelity because he rewards his servants by communicating life to them, whereas the former master pays his by giving them death (Romans 6:20-23). Thus it is proved that the new principle is clothed with sufficient, though purely internal authority, to control the believer's entire life.