expressed in the text. This interpretation gives a good sense, and is consistent with the use of the phrase to have fruit of, in the sense of deriving benefit from.
For the end of those things is death. The sense of this clause depends on the preceding. If the interpretation of the former part of the «entence just given be adopted, those things must refer to the works of which the converted sinner is now ashamed. End means the result, that to which the things in question lead. Death here, as in v. 23 and elsewhere, stands for all the evils consequent on sin.
(22) Bui nolo being made free from sin, and become the servants of God, &c. ' When the servants of sin, ye were employed in a way which ye now blush to remember, and which could end only in hopeless degra- dation and misery ; but now, being free from that bondage, and bound in sweet bonds to God, ye are enriched with holiness here, and have the certain prospect of eternal life hereafter.' Being free from sin, i. e. emancipated from bondage to it; see the corresponding phrase free from righteousness, v. 20. Become the servants of God, i. e. having become' slaves to God. It is the use of this word which led Paul to state why he was led to employ such an illustration, in some respects so little suited to the relation of the believer to God. The service is not slavish either in its motive or character. Still, it is faithful and well secured, and these ideas are the point of the comparison.
Ye have your fruit unto holiness. Fruit unto holiness may be either fruit which is holiness, or fruit which tends to holiness, i. e. produces it. This is most natural. The result of the service of God is sanctification here, and eternal life hereafter, .dnd the end eternal life. Not only is this service the most elevated and blessed in its own nature, but its cer- tain consummation is eternal life. Life in all the senses in which Christ causes his people to live.
(23) For the tvages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The reason stated in this verse for the declaration of the preceding is, that sin earns and deserves death. There is as much an obligation in justice that death should be the conse- quence of sin, as that the labourer should have his hire. The result of the other service is equally sure, although on other grounds ; such is the purpose of God. Hell is always merited, heaven never. The connex- ion between sin and misery is that between labour and its just reward ; the connexion between obedience to God and eternal happiness is merely that of grace and congruity. ' Vessels of mercy prepared unto glory.' The preparation is of grace as well as the reward. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus Christ and his gospel, then, instead of being the mi- nisters of sin, as their opposers so confidently asserted, effectually secure what the law never could accomplish, an obedience consisting in holi ness and resulting in eternal life.