What shall we say then? Should we continue in sin that grace may abound?
Truth to Learn
Salvation does not mean we have a free pass to sin all we want.
Behind the Words
The expression “What shall we say then?” is called a debater’s phrase. This is a Rabbinical way of teaching which Paul no doubt learned under the teaching of Gamaliel (see Acts 22:3). The process involves the teacher asking a question like this, then encouraging debate before the giving the answer.
The word here translated “continue” is the Greek word epimenō which is a compound word made up of epi, meaning “upon, over, in, or at” and meno, which means “to stay or remain.” Hence, this word means “to remain or stay longer in or at something.”
Meaning Explained
Paul has, at length, just demonstrated that as a result of Adam’s sin, we are all sinners condemned to death and we are not justified by performing any works of obedience. He also said that the presence of the Law does not serve to make us more righteous; instead, it brings our sinfulness more into the light of revelation, making us appear even more sinful. Also, he has shown us that when we believe God’s promises (in our case, that Jesus Christ died to pay for our sins and rose again from the dead), God chooses, by His grace, to declare us righteous (wiping out any and all of our sins past, present, and future).
Do you remember the point he made back in Romans 5:11?
And not only that, but we also are rejoicing in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
We rejoice and God is glorified when we are declared righteous by His grace. And in Romans 5:20 he said:
And law entered that the offense might increase. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much much more,
A quite natural reaction for a Jewish Christian living in Rome would be, “Well, if all of my sins have been paid for and that glorifies God, and the more I sin the more that grace is demonstrated, then I can sin all I want. Then, God receives even more glory for it, and I will still be found righteous!” This is the point that Paul is now going to argue against.
As is typical of Paul, he states the anticipated objection very plainly, “Should we continue in sin that grace may abound?”
What Paul is really asking is, “Should we continue to live a sinful, ungodly life like we did before we were saved so that God will receive even more glory for forgiving us as an even worse sinner than we already are?”
As you will see in the next verse, his response is an emphatic, “No way!”
Application
One of the misconceptions of believing in eternal security (once you are saved you can’t ever lose your salvation) is this notion that we can now sin all we want without repercussion. Eternal security is clearly taught in the Bible, especially by Paul. But he just as clearly argues against giving sin a free reign because we have died to sin.
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved