6:1–11 In vv. 1–11, Paul argues that believers have been transferred from the era of sin and death under Adam to the new era of righteousness and life under the second Adam, Christ. Paul returns to a question-and-answer style to teach the Roman believers about the implications of God’s grace (compare 3:8). In response to death transmitting from Adam to the entire human race, God made His grace available (ch. 5). Rather than suggest sinning more to prompt more grace from God, Paul asserts that sin is no longer compatible with the righteousness of those who have faith in Christ (v. 2).

6:1 that grace may increase Paul answers a potential objection to his teachings on grace—namely, that if the law caused sin to increase, which led to more grace, then continuing in sin would lead to even greater outpourings of grace. Paul rejects this on the basis that the reign of sin in the believer’s life has definitively ended.

6:2 May it never be See note on 3:4.

died to sin Indicates that believers are no longer under the power and control of sin; therefore, they must not live as though they are still under it.

6:3 baptized into Christ Jesus Possibly shorthand for “baptized into the name of Christ Jesus,” indicating being baptized into union with Christ Jesus.

were baptized into his death Baptism is the practice through which believers identify with the second Adam, Christ (compare ch. 5). Paul uses water baptism by immersion as a metaphor for the believer’s new life in Christ—identifying with Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection (vv. 3–8; compare Mark 10:38–39). See note on Acts 2:38.

Baptism

6:4 we have been buried See Col 2:12 and note.

baptism See note on Rom 6:3. Baptism symbolizes participation in the death and resurrection of Christ.

glory See note on 1:23.

Doxa Word Study

live Refers to a person’s moral conduct (1 Thess 4:1; Eph 5:15).

6:5 likeness of his death Believers participate in Christ’s death, through which they experience freedom and separation from the power of sin.

we will be Believers experience the spiritual effects of the resurrection now, but they won’t be resurrected physically until Christ returns to earth. See note on Rom 1:4.

6:6 our old man Might refer to the previous era of humanity under the effects of Adam’s sin. Alternatively, it could refer to unregenerate or fallen human nature.

was crucified together with him Occurred either at the time of Christ’s crucifixion or at the time of the believer’s baptism.

body of sin The Greek phrase used here, sōma tēs hamartias, refers to a person’s physical body or the whole person (sōma), which is still subject to sin (hamartias; compare 8:23).

no longer be enslaved to sin Paul does not mean that believers no longer sin, but that Christ’s death and resurrection have freed them from the rule of sin (see v. 7). Believers are now called to use their freedom to pursue righteousness (see v. 13 and note).

6:7 has been freed The Greek verb used here, dedikaiōtai, can be translated in this instance as “justified” or “freed” (4:3). Believers are justified or acquitted from the consequences of sin.

6:8 we will also live with him The Greek verb used here, syzēsomen, is in the future tense; it may refer to an experience associated with the end times. In order to take part in this experience, believers must reject sin in the present life. Compare 2 Tim 2:11.

6:9 death no longer being master over him When God raised Jesus from the dead, He transformed His earthly body into a glorified human body that is no longer susceptible to death and decay. In this state, Christ represents the immortal life that awaits those who have faith in Him.

6:10 he died to sin The power and influence of sin manifested itself in death. Ironically, by submitting to death, Christ died to the power and influence of sin. Christ lives outside the realm of sin; though He submitted to death once, He will never do so again.

6:11 alive to God Like Christ, believers live for God and are empowered to do His will.

6:12 not let sin reign Paul may have given this prohibition because the Roman believers were allowing sin to rule their lives.

mortal The Greek word used here, thnētos, refers to people’s regular, non-resurrected bodies, which are susceptible to death. Compare note on Rom 6:5.

Spirit and Flesh in Paul’s Letters

6:13 members The Greek word used here, melos, refers to a person’s natural faculties. Since believers have died to sin (v. 2), Paul urges them not to offer their abilities to the power and control of sin.

as instruments of unrighteousness Refers to instruments or weapons used for the purpose of unrighteous conduct. In 1:18–32, Paul wrote that unrighteous conduct withholds honor from God as Creator. In doing so, it suppresses the truth of God that is evident in creation.

instruments of righteousness In contrast to the conduct of 1:18–32, righteous conduct honors God as Creator, acknowledges His power evident in creation, and trusts Him to do what He promised.

6:14 you are not under law, but under grace Paul presents another reason why sin will not exercise control over believers. “Law” refers to the set of regulations God gave to Moses that identified sin but did not help overcome it. Grace, on the other hand, refers to the unmerited favor of God and His empowering presence to overcome sin.

6:15–23 Paul continues to discuss whether sin results in more grace (see v. 1). Here Paul reformulates the discussion in terms of the law and grace. Believers are called to use their freedom to bring righteousness, since sin can only result in death. Paul uses imagery of slavery, fruit, and labor to emphatically deny the question posed in v. 15.

6:16 slaves Paul uses the term “slave” to describe a person under the complete control of someone or something. Prior to faith in Christ and baptism, believers were enslaved to sin and suffered its effects. Paul presents salvation as deliverance from spiritual bondage. He illustrates it as a transfer from one master to another—from sin to God.

sin In this context, the Greek word used here, hamartia, refers to the destructive power of sin.

death The Greek word used here, thanatos, refers not only to spiritual or physical mortality, but to separation from God. Paul cautions the Roman believers that their obedience to sin separates them from God and, ultimately, results in death.

righteousness The Greek word dikaiosynē is used here in an ethical sense to describe doing what is right (compare 4:3).

6:17 slaves of sin See v. 16 and note.

pattern of teaching Refers to the gospel message and its ethical implications. Paul emphasizes obedience because it functions as the only tangible expression of faith.

6:19 weakness of your flesh Probably refers to people’s limited capacity to understand God’s truth because of their fallen nature. For this reason, Paul used analogies to explain the respective consequences of righteousness and sin.

Spirit and Flesh in Paul’s Letters

leading to lawlessness Submission to immorality and lawlessness results in further lawlessness (see 1:24).

members See note on v. 13.

slaves to righteousness See note on v. 16.

sanctification Submission to righteousness results in sanctification. The Greek word used here, hagiasmos, often translated as “sanctification,” can refer to the process of becoming holy or the state of being holy. Ultimately, sanctification means that the believer’s life reflects God’s character.

6:20 slaves of sin See note on v. 16.

6:21 what sort of fruit Refers to the negative outcome of a person’s conduct apart from Christ.

death See note on v. 16.

6:22 enslaved to God See note on v. 16.

leading to sanctification See note on v. 19.

eternal life Refers to the life of the age to come, which involves union with God under His reign. Paul describes eternal life as a result of sanctification and submission to God not because he denies it occurring in the present, but because he is focusing on the life that will begin at Christ’s return. Eternal life contrasts with death in v. 21 (see v. 16 and note; compare Dan 12:1–2 and note).

6:23 compensation due sin is death Paul asserts that death is the wage paid to the person who serves sin. See note on v. 16.

gift of God is eternal life In contrast to the “wages” earned through sin (which lead to death), no person can earn eternal life. It is a gift freely given according to God’s prerogative. See 5:15–16.

in Christ Jesus our Lord Through baptism, believers share in Christ’s death, and consequently His resurrection life. Believers are freed from the power of sin.