Rom 6:1 What shall we
say then? Shall we
continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid.
We who died to sin, how
shall we any longer live therein?
Rom 6:3 Or are ye
ignorant that all we
who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 We were
buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised
from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we
have become united with
him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection;
Rom 6:6 knowing this, that
our old man was crucified with him,
that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no
longer be in bondage to sin;
Rom 6:7 for he
that hath died is justified from sin.
Rom 6:8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;
Rom 6:9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over
him.
Rom 6:10 For the death that he died, he
died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Rom 6:11 Even so reckon
ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ
Jesus.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin
therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts
thereof:
Rom 6:13 neither
present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead,
and your members
as instruments of righteousness unto
God.
Rom 6:14 For sin
shall not have dominion over you: for ye
are not under law, but under grace.
Main Points: Paul extends his argument from 3:8. Before we get hung up in the weeds as to how this applies to us, let’s understand Paul’s audience and the first message. This section is yet more argument against relying on the law. We can extrapolate his words and apply them to our lives (being obedient). That however is not his main point. His main point is that their lives should look vastly different than the one that relies on law for justification.
1.
What is Paul’s warning after speaking about “grace
reigning through righteousness” in Romans 5:21? Grace
reigning is antithetical to sin’s reign. Most specifically sin’s reign (law)
results in death. Paul’s advice here is simply stating that a life lived within
a system of grace/faith looks to dispose of sin, its reign and its
consequences. The righteousness Paul speaks of is God’s….and imparted to His
children who have faith.
2.
According to Paul’s words, what does baptism mean? An
allegory of us dying to something. Paralleled with Jesus rising in a new life.
We die to sin in similar fashion. But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.
The context is still Paul debunking any need to adhere to law….especially when
law is reigned by sin/death (chap 8).
3.
What does it mean if we are “united with him in a
death like his?” The contextual meaning is to the Jews. It is a calling
to die to the reliance on the law, and look to the system of
grace/faith….manifested in the believer’s life through good works (obedience). The
secondary audience is the Gentile and any other system of law. Jesus died,
releasing him from the bondage of the flesh. He conquered sin while alive and
rose a spiritual person that conquered death. Within the context of baptism’s
requirements we too rise to conquer as he did.
4.
What does it mean, That the body of sin might be
brought to nothing, so that we would no
longer be enslaved to sin?” (6) What is the body of sin? How is it brought to nothing? What does it mean to be enslaved to sin? How
are we no longer enslaved to sin? First
– The analogy of dying is abstracted figuratively and again is used to refute
reliance on the law. Law is ruled by sin (not God) and did nothing for the
heart (of many). Paul is calling his brothers to DIE to THAT SYSTEM that only
results in death (the body of sin, enslaved to sin). Under that system there is
no escape from it (death, sin), because law does not change the heart
(10:7-10). Second – The
believer’s life should exhibit faith by obedience through a life well lived in
His moral example…thus no longer sinning, no longer enslaved to sin, or its
rule. The sinning part of that person is now dead and useless.
5.
Explain
what Christ did and how we follow his example (7-11) The
death Jesus went through was a separation from sin (by conquering it). His life
after His mortal death was to live for God …or as God…or more specifically,
spiritually. We likewise are to die to the enslavement of sinful practices and
live for God. (See also answer to #4)
6.
How
does “sin reign in our mortal bodies?” (12) Within
this verse, being obedient to its lusts. It is the acting out of lust fulfilled
that Paul is teaching against. This verse is included to illustrate the issue
with a system of law. It did not lead to repentance (2:4, 5 the grace of God
SHOULD have accomplished this) It is also the inverse of what he teaches in the
following verses.
7.
What
are we to do with the members of our body? What must we not do, what must we
do? (13) Present
ourselves to God, alive (in Christ) doing good (don’t sin).
8.
What does it mean that we are no longer under
law but under grace? A conclusory statement. This is the
main point and everything else is secondary to this point. We should be
transformed to rely on God grace/faith, not on ourselves within a system that
is ruled by sin/death.
Additional:
(6) …that the body of sin might be DESTROYED: G2673 καταργέω katargeō\ kat-arg-eh'-o From G2596 and G691; to be (render)
entirely idle (useless)
12) reign – G936 βασιλεύω basileuō bas-il-yoo'-o From G935; to rule (literally or figuratively): - king,
reign.
(13) members:G3196 μέλος melos mel'-os Of uncertain affinity; a limb or part of
the body
(instruments) G3696 ὅπλον hoplon hop'-lon Probably from the primary word ἕπω hepō(to be busy about);
an implement or utensil or tool
