7. We know that sin doesn't have power over dead people.
8. As we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him.
9. We know that death no longer has any power over Christ. He died and was raised to life, never again to die.
10. When Christ died, he died for sin once and for all. But now he is alive, and he lives only for God.
11. In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God.
12. Don't let sin rule your body. After all, your body is bound to die, so don't obey its desires
13. or let any part of it become a slave of evil. Give yourselves to God, as people who have been raised from death to life. Make every part of your body a slave that pleases God.
14. Don't let sin keep ruling your lives. You are ruled by God's kindness and not by the Law.
15. What does all this mean? Does it mean we are free to sin, because we are ruled by God's wonderful kindness and not by the Law? Certainly not!
16. Don't you know that you are slaves of anyone you obey? You can be slaves of sin and die, or you can be obedient slaves of God and be acceptable to him.
17. You used to be slaves of sin. But I thank God that with all your heart you obeyed the teaching you received from me.
18. Now you are set free from sin and are slaves who please God.
19. I am using these everyday examples, because in some ways you are still weak. You used to let the different parts of your body be slaves of your evil thoughts. But now you must make every part of your body serve God, so that you will belong completely to him.
20. When you were slaves of sin, you didn't have to please God.