Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Romans 6:18

"and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness." — Romans 6:18 (ASV)

The term that most adequately describes the standard Christian instruction about lifestyle is “righteousness” (GK 1466). Here Paul arrives at the full answer to the question raised in v.15. There is no middle ground to a believer’s service to righteousness, no place where Christians are free to set their own standards and go their own way. So it is idle to object that on becoming a believer one is simply exchanging one form of slavery for another. There is no alternative. Let no one say, however, that the two bondages are on the same plane. The one is rigorous and relentless, leading to death; the other is joyous and satisfying, leading to life and peace.