Moderators John317 Posted February 14, 2009 Moderators Posted February 14, 2009 Are all people on earth "slaves of sin" as that term is used in Romans? My Answer: The NT doesn't refer to Spirit-filled and Spirit-led believers as "slaves of sin." It refers to them as slaves of righteousness and of God. Romans 6: 18, 22. Study Romans 6 to 8. The man of Romans 7 is still a slave of sin. But he is not Spirit-filled or Spirit-led. He can't help but sin (Romans 7: 15). He practices sin because he is carnal. That's different from the person who is freed from sin, as described in Romans 6 and 8. But also notice that the Bible isn't saying that the man who is freed from sin never sins. 1 John 1: 5 to 2: 6. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Lineman Posted February 14, 2009 Posted February 14, 2009 But it is interesting to me that we are either a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness. What's the difference? The Bible says that if we are a slave to righteousness then we are "free indeed". Quote Visit and Share the BibleTimelines.com URL ! (Explain the Gospel in just a few minutes, or maybe even seconds.)
Members phkrause Posted February 14, 2009 Members Posted February 14, 2009 Interesting terminology, maybe the word slave had a little different meaning in those days! pk Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Scar Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 Sounds like you're reading the NIV. In the King James, the word used in these verses is servant. Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. However, don't think the King James only uses servant and never slave. Revelation 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. Remember, Jesus created us with freedom of choice, the greatest gift he could have given us. We can choose to serve him, or to serve something else. He never forces us to serve him. Quote
Moderators John317 Posted February 19, 2009 Author Moderators Posted February 19, 2009 But it is interesting to me that we are either a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness. What's the difference? The Bible says that if we are a slave to righteousness then we are "free indeed". The truth is that we are either slaves to the Devil or slaves to God. Most people who reject God think they can now be their own master, but nothing is further from the truth. The difference is that being a slave to God means that we are in reality free to choose. Satan's slaves are not free to choose. They have no choice. They will obey the desires of the flesh. God frees us so that we are enabled to fulfill our human potential. Under Satan's rule we fulfill his will whether we like it or not, and in the end, there is only endless death. God's rulership, on the other hand, leads to freedom in this life and to life everlasting in the next, in which our potential will be beyond anything we can imagine. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Moderators John317 Posted February 19, 2009 Author Moderators Posted February 19, 2009 Sounds like you're reading the NIV. In the King James, the word used in these verses is servant. Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. The word, douloo (Strong's #1402), is a verb, and means to enslave or to be in bondage. Quote: The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon Strong's Number: 1402 Browse Lexicon Original Word Word Origin douloo from (1401) Transliterated Word TDNT Entry Douloo 2:279,182 Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech doo-lo'-o Noun Masculine Definition to make a slave of, reduce to bondage metaph. give myself wholly to one's needs and service, make myself a bondman to him NAS Word Usage - Total: 8 became slaves 1, enslaved 4, held in bondage 1, made a slave 1, under bondage 1 Quote: SCAR-- ... don't think the King James only uses servant and never slave. Revelation 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. The word translated in the KJV here as "slaves" is the Greek word meaning body [soma] (Strong's #4983). In 1 Cor. 6: 16 it refers to a living person. Young's Literal: Revelation 18:13 (Young's Literal Translation) 13 and cinnamon, and odours, and ointment, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and cattle, and sheep, and of horses, and of chariots, and of bodies and souls of men. Revelation 18:13 (New American Standard Bible) 13and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives. Quote: Remember, Jesus created us with freedom of choice, the greatest gift he could have given us. We can choose to serve him, or to serve something else. He never forces us to serve him. Beautiful. You have that right!! He wants the service of love. God only accepts obedience that is freely given, not compelled. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
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