Slave of righteousness is a metaphoric expression used by Paul to explain the subject of holiness to the Roman Christians.

Are you confused about becoming a ‘slave’ when the salvation of Jesus made you co-heir with Christ? Are you offended by Paul’s statement because you are a master in your homeland?

Don’t worry, today’s message will explain the context and content of Paul’s statement; slave of righteousness!

Is Paul’s Statement Controversial?

Apostle Peter made a remark about some Paul’s statement which might be difficult to comprehend…

Second Peter chapter 3 verse 15 and 16: “…and consider that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation–as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you.

as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.”

Paul specifically mentioned that the words ‘slave of righteousness’ was his human terms. It is not a prophetic expression from the LORD. So, don’t be offended and don’t get confused. It is an analogy to describe the submission of your power of choice to GOD’s rules.

“I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” Romans 6:19

Paul’s Declaration about Slave of Righteousness

“But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:17-18

The best way to understand the context of Paul’s statement above is to read is personal experience related to freedom from sin.

“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. What I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.

But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.

Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 7:14-24

NOTE: Paul’s excuses above are personal to him and not a reference for you to give excuses to your sin. He knew that no matter the several times he shifts the blame, he would end up in eternal death if he folds his hands.

Paul says: “For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.” Romans 7:5

Paul’s Power of Choice

Having read his personal experience recorded in Romans chapter 7, he reached a conclusion that there are two options to make in life either to be a slave to sin or a slave of righteousness.

He got the answer to his bitter experience in Romans chapter 8.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death…”

So, where ever you read Paul’s statement saying words like:” you are no more under the law but grace”, then I want you to remember his statement in Romans 8:2 that he meant you are no more under the law of sin!! His preaching does not urge you to be lawless or careless about the commandments of Jesus Christ.

Romans chapter 6 verse 12 and 13 summarizes the content for slave of righteousness:

“Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”