Earlier in the chapter, believers were described as slaves of sin. Sin was their master, and they lived under its authority and control. They belonged to one kingdom and served one ruler.

But now Paul describes them differently. They have been handed over to a pattern of teaching. In other words, they have come under a new authority. The language echoes the transfer of ownership that runs throughout Romans 6. The believer has not moved from slavery to independence; he has moved from one master to another.

Once they were under the dominion of sin. Now they belong to Christ. Once their lives were directed by sin’s demands and headed toward death. Now their lives are shaped by the truth of the gospel and guided by obedience to God. The authority of sin has been broken, and a new allegiance has been established.

This is Paul’s point: salvation is not merely forgiveness of sins. It is a transfer of lordship. Believers have been rescued from one kingdom and brought into another. They no longer live under the authority of sin; they now belong to Christ and live under the authority of apostolic teaching and the righteousness of God.

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In His Grip,

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