Read Romans 6 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Greek Testament has no Hebrew paragraph divisions. This is my outline of of Romans so far:
1:1-7, Introduction and greeting;
1:8-15, Paul’s ministry and past plans;
1:16-17, Theme of the letter: the Gospel reveals the righteousness of God;
1:18-5:21, Justification and the righteousness of God;
6:1-8:39, Sanctification and the righteousness of God;
6:1-23, Do not continue in sin;
9:1-11:36, God’s righteousness and Israel;
12:1-15:13, Practical application of God’s righteousness;
15:14-16:27, Conclusion.
Romans 6 Chiastic Structures:
Rom 6:1-4 Chiasm
Rom 6:5-13 Chiasm
Rom 6:14-23 Chiasm
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under Law but under grace. Rom 6:14
When Paul speaks about being under Law or under grace, he is talking about dominion. We are under whatever has dominion over us. Dominion, according to Webster’s, is supreme authority, sovereignty. In Greek, the word is Strong’s G2961, κυριεύω kyrieuō, a primitive verb meaning, “to have dominion over.” The translators of the Hebrew Bible into Greek used kyrieuo to translate Strong’s H4910 משל mashal, a primitive root meaning, “to rule, to have dominion.” The ancient pictographs are mem + shin + lamed.
mem מ, ם = the water, thus chaos, mighty, blood
shin ש = two front teeth, thus sharp, press, eat, two, again
lamed ל = the shepherd’s staff, thus teach, yoke, to, bind
The parable being told by the Hebrew Root Word is of mighty (mem) pressure (shin) or coercion to bring under authority (lamed).
If someone is under Law, Paul is not saying that they are merely obedient to the Law.
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Rom 6:16
For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of Law-lessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. Rom 6:19
To be under Law in Paul’s shorthand is to be under sin (Rom 5:21, 6:12, 6:14) and death (Rom 5:14, 5:17, 6:9), because they are under the indictment of the Law because of their sin, which mandates the death penalty. In contrast, to be under grace is that Messiah’s resurrection life now reigns in us through God’s free gift (Rom 5:17-18, 5:21), as He has defeated both sin and death.
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Romans 5, Justification and Sanctification — Christine Miller
Romans 6, Chiastic Structure — Christine Miller
Romans 6, Shall we continue in sin? — Christine Miller
What is “Under the Law?” (scroll down) — Brad Scott, Wildbranch Ministries
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