6:18 Being then made free from sin. When we died to sin, and were buried into Christ (Ro 6:3). Hence, being no longer sin's servants, we become the servants of righteousness.
6:18 Being then set free from sin - We may see the apostles method thus far at one view: - Chap. Ver.
1. Bondage to sin Ro 3:9
2. The knowledge of sin by the law; a sense of God's wrath; inward death Ro 3:20
3. The revelation of the righteousness of God in Christ through the gospel Ro 3:21
4. The centre of all, faith, embracing that righteousness Ro 3:22
5. Justification, whereby God forgives all past sin, and freely accepts the sinner Ro 3:24
6. The gift of the Holy Ghost; a sense of Ro 5:5, God's love new inward life Ro 6:4
7. The free service of righteousness Ro 6:12
6:16-20 Every man is the servant of the master to whose commands he yields himself; whether it be the sinful dispositions of his heart, in actions which lead to death, or the new and spiritual obedience implanted by regeneration. The apostle rejoiced now they obeyed from the heart the gospel, into which they were delivered as into a mould. As the same metal becomes a new vessel, when melted and recast in another mould, so the believer has become a new creature. And there is great difference in the liberty of mind and spirit, so opposite to the state of slavery, which the true Christian has in the service of his rightful Lord, whom he is enabled to consider as his Father, and himself as his son and heir, by the adoption of grace. The dominion of sin consists in being willingly slaves thereto, not in being harassed by it as a hated power, struggling for victory. Those who now are the servants of God, once were the slaves of sin.
