The Unfruitfulness and Misery of Sin
E. Cooper. Romans 6:21 What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. One of the surest means by which Satan keeps men under his power is by keeping them in ignorance of their state. Did they once see what sin really is, they would quickly leave it. Our text sets sin before us in its true colours, and shows us what it is when stripped of every covering. I. SIN YIELDS NO PRESENT FRUIT, nothing which deserves the name of fruit. It may furnish some short gratification, but this is not fruit. Sin makes, indeed large promises, but it cannot fulfil them. Compare Eve in the Garden of Eden, Judas, the Prodigal Son. II. SIN IS FOLLOWED BY SHAME. Shame is that confusion of mind which arises from a consciousness of guilt. For a time men may sin without feeling shame, but a day is coming when every "hidden thing of darkness" will be brought to light. Look at Peter when he saw his guilt in having denied his Master. III. SIN ENDS IN DEATH (James 1:15; Genesis 2:17). Death is the certain consequence of sin. Death, in this sense, means the separation of the soul from the favour, the presence, and the Spirit of God. Consider these things, forsake sin, and turn to God. (E. Cooper.) Parallel Verses KJV: What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. WEB: What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.