What is the context?
Paul has just called believers to offer themselves and their bodies to God as instruments of righteousness. This verse grounds that call in the promise that sin will not be their master, because they are under grace.
The next verse explicitly rejects using grace as permission to sin. Read Romans 6:12–14 with Romans 6:15–23 to follow freedom, obedience and the gift of life together.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly understand this verse as encouragement that God’s grace frees people for a new allegiance and life. It should be read with Paul’s commands to offer oneself to God and his rejection of returning to sin, rather than isolated as permission for disobedience.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Romans 12:1–2 develops the response to God’s mercy as the offering of one’s body and renewal of one’s mind. Grace leads into a life made available to God’s purposes, which is already the concern of the verses around this promise.
What is our position?
What Is the True Church? draws on Romans 6:14 to explain holiness as the fruit of grace. Our position is that grace both pardons and transforms, empowering believers to turn from sin and live in obedience to Christ. Obedience grows from His work in them rather than serving as a way to earn salvation.