Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 6:21

"What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death." — Romans 6:21 (ASV)

What fruit had you then, etc. What reward, or what advantage. This is an argument drawn from the experience of Christians concerning the indulgence of sinful passions. The question discussed throughout this chapter is whether the gospel plan of justification by faith leads to indulgence in sin?

The argument here is drawn from the past experience which Christians have had in the ways of transgression. They have tried it; they know its effects; they have tasted its bitterness; they have reaped its fruits. It is implied here, that having once experienced these effects, and knowing the tendency of sin, they will not indulge in it now. .

Of which you are now ashamed. Having seen their nature and tendency, you are now ashamed of them. (Ephesians 5:12, For it is a shame to speak of those things which are done of them in secret; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Jude 1:13; Philippians 3:19).

For the end. The tendency—the result. Those things lead to death.

Is death. (Romans 6:22).