Rom 6:13, 7:23 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 13. Neither yield ye your members . Do not give up, or devote, or employ your members, etc. The word members here refers to the members of the body --the hands, feet, tongue, etc. It is a specification of what in is included under the general term "body." See . As instruments . This word--(οπλα)--properly signifies arms , or implements of war; but it also denotes an instrument of any kind which we use for defence or aid. Here it means that we should not devote our members--our hands, tongue, etc. --as if under the direction of sinful passions and corrupt desires, to accomplish purposes of iniquity. We should not make the members of our bodies the slaves of sin reigning within us. Unto sin . In the service of sin; to work iniquity. But yield yourselves , etc. Give or devote yourselves to God. That are alive . . And your members , etc. Christians should devote every member of the body to God, and to his service. Their tongue should be consecrated to his praise, and to the office of truth, and kindness, and benevolence; their hands should be employed in useful labour for him and his cause; their feet should be swift in his service, and should not go in the paths of iniquity; their eyes should contemplate his works, to excite thanksgiving and praise; their ears should not be employed to listen to words of deceit, or songs of dangerous and licentious tendency, or to persuasion that would lead astray, but should be open to catch the voice of God as he utters his will in the Book of Truth, or as he speaks in the gale, the zephyr, the rolling thunder, the ocean, or in the great events of his providence. He speaks to us every day, and we should hear him; he spreads his glories before us, and we should survey them to praise him; he commands, and our hands, and heart, and feet should obey. (v) "members as" (1) "instruments" or "arms, or weapons" (w) "but yield yourselves"

Romans 6:13

Verse 13.

Neither yield ye your members. Do not give up, or devote, or employ your members, etc. The word members here refers to the members of the body--the hands, feet, tongue, etc. It is a specification of what in Rom 6:12 is included under the general term "body." See Rom 7:5,23, 1Cor 6:15, 12:12,18,20.

As instruments. This word--(οπλα)--properly signifies arms, or implements of war; but it also denotes an instrument of any kind which we use for defence or aid. Here it means that we should not devote our members--our hands, tongue, etc. --as if under the direction of sinful passions and corrupt desires, to accomplish purposes of iniquity. We should not make the members of our bodies the slaves of sin reigning within us.

Unto sin. In the service of sin; to work iniquity.

But yield yourselves, etc. Give or devote yourselves to God.

That are alive. Rom 6:11.

And your members, etc. Christians should devote every member of the body to God, and to his service. Their tongue should be consecrated to his praise, and to the office of truth, and kindness, and benevolence; their hands should be employed in useful labour for him and his cause; their feet should be swift in his service, and should not go in the paths of iniquity; their eyes should contemplate his works, to excite thanksgiving and praise; their ears should not be employed to listen to words of deceit, or songs of dangerous and licentious tendency, or to persuasion that would lead astray, but should be open to catch the voice of God as he utters his will in the Book of Truth, or as he speaks in the gale, the zephyr, the rolling thunder, the ocean, or in the great events of his providence. He speaks to us every day, and we should hear him; he spreads his glories before us, and we should survey them to praise him; he commands, and our hands, and heart, and feet should obey.

(v) "members as" Col 3:5 (1) "instruments" or "arms, or weapons" (w) "but yield yourselves" Rom 12:1

Romans 7:23

Verse 23. But I see another law. Rom 7:21.

In my members. In my body; in my flesh; in my corrupt and sinful propensities. Rom 6:13. Comp. 1Cor 6:15, Col 3:5 The body is composed of many members; and as the flesh is regarded as the source of sin, (Rom 7:18) the law of sin is said to be in the members, i.e. in the body itself.

Warring against, fighting against; or resisting.

The law of my mind. This stands opposed to the prevailing inclinations of a corrupt nature. It means the same as was expressed by the phrase "the inward man," and denotes the desires and purposes of a renewed heart.

And bringing me into captivity. Making me a prisoner, or a captive. This is the completion of the figure respecting the warfare. A captive taken in war was at the disposal of the victor. So the apostle represents himself as engaged in a warfare; and as being overcome, and made an unwilling captive to the evil inclinations of the heart. The expression is strong; and denotes strong corrupt propensities. But though strong, it is believed it is language which all sincere Christians can adopt of themselves, as expressive of that painful and often disastrous conflict in their bosoms when they contend against the native propensities of their hearts.

(z) "captivity to the law" Ps 142:7