Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 6

Excuses for evil behaviour

Romans 6:15

Paul has now returned to a similar question to the one that he asked in verse 1. However, the two questions are not exactly the same. In verse 1, a person foolishly does more evil things, so that God can forgive him more. In verse 15, the person foolishly imagines that God’s kindness to him permits that person to do evil things.

These might seem strange excuses for evil behaviour. However, people are constantly making up such excuses for the wrong things that they do. They want to feel as if they are not really doing anything wrong.

Even many Christians do not want to obey what the Bible says. Perhaps, like the people in Romans 2:17-24, they think that God’s commands are only for other people to follow. Christians have a relationship with God because of his grace (his kindness), not because of his law. So, some Christians argue that they do not have to obey God’s law.

That argument may seem clever, but actually it is foolish and dangerous (1 Corinthians 10:6-12). It is never right to do something wrong. God’s law teaches us how God wants us to live. God does not change (Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17). His opinions about how we should live have not changed (Matthew 5:17-19). Some parts of God’s law are commands that are necessary for moral reasons. Of course we must obey those commands. Other parts are there to teach us about God or about ourselves. Of course we should study those passages, and we should learn those lessons.

The real reason why people do evil things is wrong desires (James 1:13-15). Often, those desires are for power, happiness or money. However, when we truly allow God’s Holy Spirit to guide us, we do not desire wrong things (Galatians 5:16-17). What God’s Holy Spirit does in our lives is never against his law (Galatians 5:22-23).

Next part: Who is your master: sin or God? (Romans 6:16)

Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 1000+ page course book.