Romans 6:21 Meaning and Explanation
“What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul asks what benefit the old sins ever gave, since they now bring shame and lead finally to death.
What Does Romans 6:21 Mean?
Paul presses a searching question about the past: what 'fruit,' what real gain, did those former deeds ever produce? The believers themselves now look back on them with shame, and Paul names their final outcome plainly, 'the end of those things is death.' The harvest of sin is exposed for what it is.
This is an honest reckoning with sin's empty promises. What once seemed desirable now produces only shame, and its road runs toward death. Paul does not shame the believer cruelly but helps them see clearly, so that the memory of sin's barren fruit strengthens their resolve to walk the new way. Sin offers much and delivers nothing but loss.
Romans 6:21 in the Original Language
karpos (καρπός), 'fruit' -- the produce or yield of a life, what it brings forth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 6:21
What does Romans 6:21 mean?
Paul asks what benefit the old sins ever gave, since they now bring shame and lead finally to death.