16 Surely you know that when you give yourselves like slaves to obey someone, then you are really slaves of that person. The person you obey is your master. You can follow sin, or obey God. Sin brings spiritual death. But obeying God makes you right with him.

17 In the past you were slaves to sin—sin controlled you. But thank God, you fully obeyed the things that were taught to you.

18 You were made free from sin, and now you are slaves to goodness.