²⁰ When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness [you had no desire to conform to God’s will]. ²¹ So what benefit did you get at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? [None!] For the outcome of those things is death! ²² But now since you have been set free from sin and have become [willing] slaves to God, you have your benefit, resulting in sanctification [being made holy and set apart for God’s purpose], and the outcome [of this] is eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.