Biblical Eloquence in Romans 6:16-23

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans is a brilliantly framed exhortation aimed at congregations of Roman believers.  Not surprisingly, in addressing this intellectual audience, the author of the letter, Paul, employs his exceptional knowledge of rhetorical skills in attempt to persuade the group of newly converted Christians to live the gospel as taught by the Savior Jesus Christ.

In Romans 6, many examples of rhetorical elements can be found.  The following is a brief analysis of two: 

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The first illustrations we can clearly identify are the examples of paradox found in the above text.  According to Silva Rhetoricae, a paradox is "a statement that is self-contradictory on the surface, yet seems to evoke a truth nonetheless."  One would not think that by becoming a servant one is being made free.  Yet that is exactly what Paul is implying.  There are two masters: sin and righteousness.  Yielding oneself to sin leads to deal.  Becoming a servant of righteousness leads to freedom and ultimately eternal life.  Thus is the paradox: Freedom through servitude.  

The significance of this usage of paradox is that it invites the audience to think about who they are serving and what will be the end result.  It also seems to hammer home the principle that service or work in some form will be required.

Another example found in the prose above is one of anthypophora.  Again relying on the definitions provided by Silva Rhetoricae, an anthypophora is "a figure of reasoning in which one asks and then immediately answers one's own questions."  Paul is seen here reasoning aloud when he asks what are the results of being a servant of sin.  He immediately answers his question when he says the result is death (meaning spiritual death).

The significance of Paul quickly answering the question he had barely posed is that it doesn't allow the audience to come up with excuses or rationalize improper behavior.  He quickly shoots down all attempts of justification by sternly stating sin leads to death. 

One thing that has been troubling me in my analysis is verse 23.  What is the rhetorical device used?  I don't know.  Sin leads to wages of death while righteous lives are touched by grace and blessed with the gifts of God.  A wage seems to be something deserved, while a gift is undeserved.  I don't think it is paradox.  Your thoughts?