6:15 What is the purpose of this question. Is it not simply a repeat of V1?
6:15 What is the purpose of this question. Is it not simply a repeat of V1?
This is the second rhetorical question Paul asks in Ro 6. The first in V1 was answered in V2-14. This is answered in V16-23. The question of sin here is quite different to the question of sin in V1 (CP V1).
Here sin is from the Greek word Harmartia which describes proneness to sin, or sinful desire or propensity. It refers to our old sinful nature - our old man (CP V6 with Jn 1:29; 8:34; Ro 5:12-13; 6:14 (everywhere sin is mentioned in Ro 6 it refers to our old sinful nature, except in V15); He 3:13; 11:25; 1Jn 3:4-5). In Ro 6:15 sin is from the Greek word Hamatano, which means to miss a mark on the way; to sin occasionally; to sin a sin.
It refers to occasional, infrequent acts of sin (CP Mt 18:21; 27:4; Jn 5:14; Ro 3:23; 5:12 (sinned); 1Ti 5:20; He 10:26; 1Jn 2:1). The question that Paul has to answer in Ro 6:15 is that since the doctrine of grace he expounded in V2-14 teaches the impossibility of a life of habitual sin on the part of a Christian, is there any allowance made for an occasional act of sin?
Again, Paul pre-empted any erroneous idea that it was possible, and immediately categorically rejected it - God forbid means perish the thought.
Paul then goes on to teach how Christians do not make provision for even occasional acts of sin, because they have transferred their allegiance from one master to another since grace has wrought its inward change in their hearts (CP V17-18, 22 with 1Cor 6:11; Col 1:21-22 and 3:9-10).
See comments on all Ro 6 questions, also Ro 3:9, 5:12-14, 7:4, 7:7-23, 8:1-2, 8:3-4; Ga 5:17; Jas 4:5 and 1 Jn 3:6-9 and author's studies Romans 6 - a Study on God's Empowering of Believers through Jesus Christ to Overcome Sin in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1),
The Power of God in Christians to Overcome the Devil, The Doctrine of Grace and Regeneration and Sanctification Defined in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2), and What being Born Again Means in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith.