But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
Truth to Learn
God has set Christians apart and has given them eternal life.
Behind the Words
Throughout this chapter Paul has been making a play on words between “death” and “holiness.” Have you noticed? It’s not so obvious in English, but it is in Greek. The Greek word for “death” is thanatos, which, as we’ve mentioned before, carries with it the idea of separation. Separation of our soul from our mortal body is physical death, whereas separation of our soul from God is spiritual death.
The Greek word for “holiness” is hagios, which means “to be set apart from common use to or for a special purpose.” This is the same word that is also translated “sanctified.” Do you see the subtle difference? Death is separation from something while holiness is being set apart to something. Spiritual death is separation from God; holiness is being set apart to God.
Meaning Explained
This verse is Paul’s answer to the previous two verses and all three taken together are a summary of what Paul has been saying for this entire chapter. In verse twenty Paul said:
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with regard to righteousness.
Before we were saved we had no choice but to obey sin because we were its slaves. In answer to that he now says:
But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God …
As born again Christians we are free from the bondage of sin and have become the slaves (the personal property) of God himself. We are no longer owned by sin, but we’re not free to just do as we please either because we are now owned by God; He is our master and we are to submit to His will.
In verse twenty-one Paul said:
What fruit did you have … For the end of those things is death.
The fruit of the sin of our former way of life was death (separation from God.) In this verse he says:
But now … you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
The fruit of our salvation now is holiness (being set apart to God for His use), which results in eternal life.
Now let me tie this all together. Throughout this chapter Paul has been saying that before we were saved, we were slaves to sin and we were separated from God (we were spiritually dead.) Now that we have received His gracious gift of salvation we are set apart to God (we are spiritually alive for eternity).
Application
When we fully comprehend what Paul is saying in these verses. it should produce in us the greatest praise for Him because of what He has done. Hallelujah!
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved