The question with which this section begins suggests that grace must somehow negate our obligation to obey God’s commandments. In responding to the question Paul unequivocally denies that this is the case—“By no means!” But then he shifts the discussion in a different and more relevant direction. Not only does grace not negate our obligation to obey God’s laws;5 in fact it specifically gives us the ability to obey. This is the main point of this section.
Romans 6:1–14