Romans 6:20

While you were still servants of Sin, you were free as regards Righteousness.

Romans 6:16-17

Surely you know that, when you offer yourselves as servants, to obey any one, you are the servants of the person whom you obey, whether the service be that of Sin which leads to Death, or that of Duty which leads to Righteousness.

John 8:34

"In truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "every one who sins is a slave to sin.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

The servants

General references

Bible References

The servants

Romans 6:16
Surely you know that, when you offer yourselves as servants, to obey any one, you are the servants of the person whom you obey, whether the service be that of Sin which leads to Death, or that of Duty which leads to Righteousness.
John 8:34
"In truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "every one who sins is a slave to sin.

General references

Colossians 3:7
And to which you, like others, once devoted your lives, when you lived for them.