Death ends all claims. Paul illustrated his point in Romans 6:6 by referring to this general truth. Once a person has died he or she has no more earthly obligations. Because of our death with Christ we have no obligation to respond to the dictates of our sinful nature. We may choose to do Song of Solomon , but we do not have to do Song of Solomon , and we should not do so (cf. Ephesians 4:22-32). [source][source][source]
This verse does not mean that the power of sinful habits or the effects of sinful influences will cease to bother a person when he or she becomes a Christian. It does mean that the Christian is no longer under the slavery of sin that he or she used to live under. Our senses create a problem for us here. The unsaved person may think he is not a slave to sin when he really is. Conversely the Christian may think he is a slave to sin though he is not. The fact remains: God has broken the chain that once bound us to sin, and, happily, we are free of its domination. Unfortunately we will not be free of its enticement until our glorification. [source][source][source]
The translation "acquitted from sin" is legitimate but perhaps misleading. It implies a forensic relationship to sin, but Paul was speaking of our relationship to sin in daily living in this section (practical sanctification, not justification). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Romans 6:1-11 - "dead Unto Sin, But Alive Unto God"
It is not sufficient merely to apprehend, however clearly, our standing in Christ; we must see to it that the doctrine issues in a holy life. Nothing is more hurtful than to hold a truth intellectually, without giving it expression in character. Many who fight for the minute points of doctrinal accuracy are careless of the great demands of Christ for a life of godlike love. Therefore, after the Apostle's massive statements of doctrine, he now turns to discuss the way of a holy life. The work of Christ for us must lead to His work in us and deliverance from the power of sin.
All who believe in Christ are reckoned as having been included in His death. They did not make atonement for sin; but they died to the life of self-will, of self-pleasing, of subjection to the world-spirit, of citizenship in the earth-sphere, and passed with Him into the life of resurrection glory. This is the significance of the rite of baptism. "Mark that seal!" cries the Apostle. "You belong to the resurrection side of death. Live in union with the risen Redeemer." [source]
Chapter Summary: Romans 6
1We may not live in sin; 2for we are dead unto it; 3as appears by our baptism 12Let not sin reign anymore; 18because we have yielded ourselves to the service of righteousness; 23and because death is the wages of sin
Greek Commentary for Romans 6:7
Is justified [δεδικαιωται] Perfect passive indicative of δικαιοω dikaioō stands justified, set free from, adding this great word to death and life of Romans 6:1,Romans 6:2. [source]
Is freed [δεδικαίωται] Lit., as Rev., is justified; i.e., acquitted, absolved; just as the dead person sins no more, being released from sin as from a legal claim. “As a man that is dead is acquitted and released from bondage among men, so a man that has died to sin is acquitted from the guilt of sin and released from its bondage” (Alford). [source]
Greek Commentary for Romans 6:7
Perfect passive indicative of δικαιοω dikaioō stands justified, set free from, adding this great word to death and life of Romans 6:1, Romans 6:2. [source]
Lit., as Rev., is justified; i.e., acquitted, absolved; just as the dead person sins no more, being released from sin as from a legal claim. “As a man that is dead is acquitted and released from bondage among men, so a man that has died to sin is acquitted from the guilt of sin and released from its bondage” (Alford). [source]