Paul voices the wrong conclusion someone could draw from his teaching on grace. Barnes says the objection refers to what Paul had said in Romans 5:20, and states it: "If sin has been the occasion of grace and favor, ought we not to continue in it, and commit as much as possible, in order that grace might abound?" Matthew Henry describes it the same way: "Shall we hence take encouragement to sin with so much the more boldness, because the more sin we commit the more will the grace of God be magnified in our pardon?" The first question asks what follows from Paul's teaching. The second names the false answer so that Paul can refuse it.

Paul answers with "God forbid" (Romans 6:2), and then asks, "How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" He explains that believers were "baptized into his death" and "buried with him," so that they "should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4). He draws from it a command: "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body" (Romans 6:12).

Paul's message had already been twisted. In Romans 3:8 he says some "slanderously" reported that he taught, "Let us do evil, that good may come." Romans 6:1 takes that charge head on.

Matthew Henry notes how strongly Paul reacts: "He entertains the objection as Christ did the devil's blackest temptation" (Matthew 4:10): "Get thee hence, Satan." Gill says Paul held the idea "in the greatest detestation."

This question shows that God's grace is not a loophole. Grace that abounds over sin (Romans 5:20) is grace that rescues people from sin, not grace that leaves them in it. Paul says grace is to "reign," and where grace reigns, sin no longer has dominion (Romans 5:21; 6:14).

Matthew Henry gives the reason such ideas must be refused: "the truth as it is in Jesus is a truth according to godliness." The same God who forgives freely also gives new life (Romans 6:4). Both belong to His grace.