τίνα οὖν καρπὸν εἴχετε τότε ἐφ’ οἷς νῦν ἐπαισχύνεσθε; τὸ γὰρ τέλος ἐκείνων θάνατος. (Romans 6:21)
What fruit then were you having at that time, from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
The Question of Fruit and Memory
τίνα οὖν καρπὸν εἴχετε τότε – “What fruit then were you having at that time?”
- τίνα – interrogative pronoun, accusative singular masculine/neuter: “what kind of…?”
- οὖν – logical connector: “then,” drawing a conclusion from the preceding contrast between slavery to sin and slavery to righteousness.
- καρπὸν – “fruit,” figurative for outcome or result of one’s moral/spiritual life.
- εἴχετε – imperfect active of ἔχω: “you were having.” Indicates an ongoing past condition.
- τότε – “at that time,” i.e., during their former life under sin.
Memory of Shameful Works
ἐφ’ οἷς νῦν ἐπαισχύνεσθε – “from which you are now ashamed.”
- ἐφ’ οἷς – a relative clause: “upon (from) which.” The preposition ἐπί + dative/accusative can denote basis or cause. Here it points to the former deeds now causing shame.
- νῦν – “now,” contrasts their former state with their present moral clarity.
- ἐπαισχύνεσθε – present middle indicative of ἐπαισχύνομαι, “you are ashamed.” The middle voice implies a personal, internalized experience of shame or disgrace.
The Ultimate Result
τὸ γὰρ τέλος ἐκείνων θάνατος – “For the end of those things is death.”
- τὸ τέλος – “the end, result, or goal.” Here it means final outcome.
- ἐκείνων – demonstrative pronoun: “those things,” i.e., the deeds producing shame.
- θάνατος – “death,” not merely physical but spiritual alienation from God (cf. Romans 6:23).
- γάρ – explanatory particle: “for,” introducing the reason why their former “fruit” leads only to regret and death.
Summary Table
| Greek Phrase | Translation | Form | Function / Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| τίνα οὖν καρπὸν εἴχετε τότε | What fruit then were you having at that time? | Interrogative with imperfect | Calls for reflection on the former life’s moral barrenness |
| ἐφ’ οἷς νῦν ἐπαισχύνεσθε | from which you are now ashamed | Relative clause + present middle | Highlights the transformation in moral awareness |
| τὸ γὰρ τέλος ἐκείνων θάνατος | for the end of those things is death | Subject + predicate nominative | Declares the final outcome of sin as spiritual death |
Closing Insight
Romans 6:21 moves from memory to morality, inviting believers to weigh the past by its true outcome. The Greek’s sharp contrast between “then” and “now,” and its sobering use of θάνατος as the end of sin, makes the spiritual stakes unmistakable. Paul’s grammar tightens the emotional and theological grip—shame now replaces pride then, because the fruit then was death.
