19 Dead to Sin

Paul had previously established that we’re all sinners, which means that even as believers, there’s an inclination to sin.

1 Grace vs. Sin

In the previous chapter, Paul had shown that our unfortunate abundance of sin does not leave us without hope, because God then dispenses His abundant grace.

However, he knew that some would abuse that privilege:

Romans 6:14

Paul knew that some would without doubt abuse the idea of God’s “much more” grace, as an occasion for committing more sin:

Romans 5:20

Unfortunately, so did (and do) subscribe to that attitude. That may be seen from verse 2:

Romans 6:2

The phrase “Certainly not” in the original Greek is <mē genoito> which may be translated as “by no means”. Paul was saying that believers should never increase our sinfulness as a desire to receive more of God’s grace.

For the believer, continual or unconfessed sin will always be injurious to their relationship with the Lord.

In verse 3 speaks of our identification with Christ:

Romans 6:3

In that verse, Paul wasn’t only referring to the rite of believer’s baptism, which is a public identification with Christ, but also of continual, growing relationship with the Lord.

Paul would then address that area of growth in verse 4:

Romans 6:4

Water baptism is an outward representation of the spiritual rebirth of the believer, and how we had been spiritually dead (in sin) and then given new life (born again) when we received Christ as personal Savior:

Ephesians 2:1

2 No Longer Slaves

The believer’s life is to be in great contrast to our manner of living prior to our conversion:

Romans 6:5-10

In verse 5, Paul again shows how the believer is identified with Christ in death. This identification shows the death of the not simply the old life of sin, but of the curse of sin, which Paul had addressed in the previous chapter.

But it goes beyond the believer’s identifying with the death of Christ, but that the greater benefit is found in us having eternal life:

Romans 6:5b

In verse 6, Paul reaffirms how the believer has been crucified with Christ.

Because our old nature was crucified when Jesus bore our personal sins, the believer should no longer view himself as being enslaved by sin.

That doesn’t mean we won’t sin on occasion, but that we are no longer under the dominion of sin,

Paul spoke of that again on verse 7, as he spoke of how the believer has been freed from (the grip) of sin.

In verse 8, shows of how those who’ve “died with Christ” will also live with Him. That idea, again points to the eternal life the believer will enjoy:

John 4:14

But the believer has more that just the wonderful promise for eternal life in the future, but also of a fulfilling life in Christ now:

John 10:10

In verses 9 and 10, Paul spoke of how Jesus died once (and for all) at Calvary, and how His life is now in the presence of the Father. Which is to show, that through our identification with Him, the believer will have the same experience.

In verse 11, Paul presents the practical manner in which the believer might apply what he had just taught.

First, the believer must “reckon” (consider) himself dead to sin. Because our old nation has been crucified, we’re no longer compelled to surrender to old sinful actions, lusts, or passions.

Second, the child of God should “reckon” themselves as “alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord”.