Romans 6:1-14

Romans 6:1-14

[1] What  shall we say  then?  Shall we continue  in sin,  that  grace  may abound?  [2] God forbid.  How  shall we, that  are dead  to sin,  live  any longer  therein?  [3] Know ye not,  that so  many of us  as were baptized  into  Jesus  Christ  were baptized  into  his  death?  [4] Therefore  we are buried with  him  by  baptism  into  death:  that  like as  Christ  was raised up  from  the dead  by  the glory  of the Father,  even so  also  should walk  in  newness  of life.  [5] For  if  we have been  planted together  in the likeness  of his  death,  also  in the likeness of his resurrection:  [6] Knowing  that  old  man  is crucified with  him, that  the body  of sin  might be destroyed,  not  serve  sin.  [7] For  he that is dead  is freed  from  sin.  [8] Now  if  we be dead  with  Christ,  we believe  that  also  live  with him:  [9] Knowing  that  Christ  being raised  from  the dead  dieth  no more;  death  no more  dominion over  him.  [10] For  in that he died,  unto sin  once:  but  in that  he liveth,  unto God.  [11] Likewise  reckon  also  yourselves  dead  indeed  unto sin,  but  alive  unto God  through  Jesus  Christ  [12] not  sin  therefore  reign  in  mortal  body,  that  ye should obey  it  in  the lusts  thereof.  [13] Neither  yield ye  members  as instruments  of unrighteousness  unto sin:  but  yield  yourselves  unto God,  those that are alive  from  the dead,  and  members  as instruments  of righteousness  unto God.  [14] For  sin  not  have dominion over  for  not  under  the law,  but  under  grace. 

What does Romans 6:1-14 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul began his explanation of the believer"s relationship to sin by explaining the implications of our union with Christ ( Romans 6:1-14). He had already spoken of this in Romans 5:12-21 regarding justification, but now he showed how that union affects our progressive sanctification.
"The focus of his discussion, particularly in chapter6 , is not on how to obey God and avoid sinning, but on why we should obey God." [1]
The apostle referred to Jesus Christ"s death, burial, and resurrection in this section. Seen from the viewpoint of His substitute sacrifice these events did not involve the believer"s participation. Jesus Christ alone endured the cross, experienced burial, and rose from the grave. Nevertheless His work of redemption was not only substitutionary but also representative. It is in this respect that Paul described believers as identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection in the following verses. Paul previously introduced the idea of Christ as our representative in Romans 5:12-21 (cf. Romans 5:12-2161). Sin has no further claim on Christ because He paid the penalty for sin. Sin no longer has a claim on us because He died as our representative. We are free from sin"s domination because of our union with Him. This was Paul"s line of thought, and it obviously develops further what Paul wrote in 1713630363_2.
"In ch6 there are four key words which indicate the believer"s personal responsibility in relation to God"s sanctifying work" (1) to "know" the facts of our union and identification with Christ in His death and resurrection ( Romans 6:3; Romans 6:6; Romans 6:9); to "reckon" or count these facts to be true concerning ourselves ( Romans 6:11); to "yield," or present ourselves once for all as alive from the dead for God"s possession and use ( Romans 6:13; Romans 6:16; Romans 6:19); and (4) to "obey" in the realization that sanctification can proceed only as we are obedient to the will of God as revealed in His Word ( Romans 6:16-17)." [2]