What is an “instrument” in Romans 6:13?

Answer:

"Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:11-14).

The Greek word "hoplon" is a general term that refers to both tools and weapons. The translation depends on the context. John 18:3 and II Corinthians 10:4 refer to the context of soldiers and warfare. Romans 13:12 and II Corinthians 6:7 refer to protective tools that are worn (armor). Romans 6:13 is vague enough that the translators chose to use a more general term, "instruments," which could refer to tools or weapons.

Paul's point is that we are not to use our bodies as tools or weapons to promote the cause of sin by doing wickedness. Rather, we are to use our bodies to promote the cause of God by doing righteousness.