21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!
21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
21 But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you're proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end.
21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
15 Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
(Read James 1:12-18)
It is not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he who with patience and constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty. Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if it be not our own fault. The tried Christian shall be a crowned one. The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above, where love is made perfect. The commands of God, and the dealings of his providence, try men's hearts, and show the dispositions which prevail in them. But nothing sinful in the heart or conduct can be ascribed to God. He is not the author of the dross, though his fiery trial exposes it. Those who lay the blame of sin, either upon their constitution, or upon their condition in the world, or pretend they cannot keep from sinning, wrong God as if he were the author of sin. Afflictions, as sent by God, are designed to draw out our graces, but not our corruptions. The origin of evil and temptation is in our own hearts. Stop the beginnings of sin, or all the evils that follow must be wholly charged upon us. God has no pleasure in the death of men, as he has no hand in their sin; but both sin and misery are owing to themselves. As the sun is the same in nature and influences, though the earth and clouds, often coming between, make it seem to us to vary, so God is unchangeable, and our changes and shadows are not from any changes or alterations in him. What the sun is in nature, God is in grace, providence, and glory; and infinitely more. As every good gift is from God, so particularly our being born again, and all its holy, happy consequences come from him. A true Christian becomes as different a person from what he was before the renewing influences of Divine grace, as if he were formed over again. We should devote all our faculties to God's service, that we may be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 6:21
Commentary on Romans 6:21-23
(Read Romans 6:21-23)
The pleasure and profit of sin do not deserve to be called fruit. Sinners are but ploughing iniquity, sowing vanity, and reaping the same. Shame came into the world with sin, and is still the certain effect of it. The end of sin is death. Though the way may seem pleasant and inviting, yet it will be bitterness in the latter end. From this condemnation the believer is set at liberty, when made free from sin. If the fruit is unto holiness, if there is an active principle of true and growing grace, the end will be everlasting life; a very happy end! Though the way is up-hill, though it is narrow, thorny, and beset, yet everlasting life at the end of it is sure. The gift of God is eternal life. And this gift is through Jesus Christ our Lord. Christ purchased it, prepared it, prepares us for it, preserves us to it; he is the All in all in our salvation.