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Romans 6

ScriptureDepth's study of Romans 6

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

Paul concludes his teaching to the Roman believers by contrasting the outcomes of sin and the gift of God, stating that 'the wages of sin is death'.

What Romans 6 is about

Paul begins by asking if believers should continue in sin to increase grace, and he firmly states, 'May it never be!' (vv. 1-2). He explains that those baptized into Christ Jesus have died to sin and are united with him in death (vv. 3-5). Knowing this, Paul asserts that believers are free from sin's bondage, as the old self was crucified with Christ (vv. 6-11). Believers should not allow sin to reign in their bodies but present themselves to God as alive (vv. 12-14). Paul emphasizes that those who were once servants of sin have become servants of righteousness (vv. 15-19). He contrasts the past freedom from righteousness with the present fruit of sanctification and eternal life (vv. 20-22). Finally, he concludes that the wages of sin is death, but God's gift is eternal life in Christ Jesus (v. 23).

Paul states that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.

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Romans 6 at a glance

  1. Romans 6:1–2Question of Continuing in Sin
  2. Romans 6:3–5Baptism and Union with Christ
  3. Romans 6:6–11Freedom from Sin's Bondage
  4. Romans 6:12–14Living Under Grace
  5. Romans 6:15–19Servants of Righteousness
  6. Romans 6:20–22Result of Righteousness
  7. Romans 6:23Conclusion on Wages and Gifts

Key verse: Romans 6:23

One thing to notice

Verses 6 through 8 refer to the transition from death to life through union with Christ. Phrases like 'we died with Christ' and 'we will also live with him' indicate a movement from death to life in the believer's experience.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

Read Romans 6 (WEB)

Question of Continuing in Sin Romans 6:1–2

Verse 1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Verse 2. May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer?

Baptism and Union with Christ Romans 6:3–5

Verse 3. Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Verse 4. We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. Verse 5. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection;

Freedom from Sin's Bondage Romans 6:6–11

Verse 6. knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin. Verse 7. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Verse 8. But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; Verse 9. knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him! Verse 10. For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. Verse 11. Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Living Under Grace Romans 6:12–14

Verse 12. Therefore don’t let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Verse 13. Also, do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Verse 14. For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace.

Servants of Righteousness Romans 6:15–19

Verse 15. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? May it never be! Verse 16. Don’t you know that when you present yourselves as servants and obey someone, you are the servants of whomever you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? Verse 17. But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were delivered. Verse 18. Being made free from sin, you became bondservants of righteousness. Verse 19. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for as you presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to wickedness upon wickedness, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness for sanctification.

Result of Righteousness Romans 6:20–22

Verse 20. For when you were servants of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Verse 21. What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. Verse 22. But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life.

Conclusion on Wages and Gifts Romans 6:23

Verse 23. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in Romans 6

union with Christ

In verses 3-5, Paul explains that believers who are 'baptized into Christ Jesus' are 'baptized into his death.' This union with Christ signifies that just as Christ died, believers also die to their old selves. The text moves forward with the promise of resurrection, stating that if believers share in Christ's death, they will also share in his resurrection life.

freedom from sin

In verses 6-7, the text states that 'our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with,' which leads to freedom from sin's power. This theme continues in verse 18, where believers are described as 'made free from sin' and become 'bondservants of righteousness.' The chapter develops this theme by contrasting the bondage of sin with the freedom found in a righteous life.

baptism

In verses 3-4, Paul connects baptism with the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection. He states that through baptism, they are baptized into his death, which signifies a complete transformation. This act of baptism marks the beginning of a new life, indicating that the experience of baptism is crucial for understanding their new identity in Christ.

new life in Christ

Verses 4 and 11 articulate the transition to 'newness of life' and being 'alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.' This new life is a result of the believer's union with Christ in his death and resurrection. The chapter concludes with the contrast between death resulting from sin and the 'free gift of God' which is 'eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord' in verse 23.

Chapter outline

How Romans 6 unfolds

  1. Romans 6:1–2 Question of Continuing in Sin

    The question of whether to continue in sin arises (v. 1), followed by a strong denial, as those who have died to sin cannot live in it any longer (v. 2).

  2. Romans 6:3–5 Baptism and Union with Christ

    Paul states that those 'who were baptized into Christ Jesus' enter into His death (v. 3), are buried with Him (v. 4), and will also be raised to a new life like His resurrection (v. 5).

  3. Romans 6:6–11 Freedom from Sin's Bondage

    Understanding that the 'old man' was crucified with Christ is key (v. 6), leading to liberation from sin's control (v. 7) and a new existence alive to God (v. 11).

  4. Romans 6:12–14 Living Under Grace

    Believers are instructed not to let sin dominate their lives (v. 12) and to avoid presenting their bodies to sin, instead offering themselves to God for righteousness (vv. 13-14).

  5. Romans 6:15–19 Servants of Righteousness

    Paul questions whether believers should sin since they are under grace (v. 15), explaining that they become 'the servants of whomever you obey' (v. 16), transitioning from sin to 'bondservants of righteousness' (v. 18).

  6. Romans 6:20–22 Result of Righteousness

    Paul notes that when believers were 'servants of sin' (v. 20), they had no fruit from righteousness (v. 21), but now, as 'servants of God,' they experience 'fruit of sanctification' leading to 'eternal life' (v. 22).

  7. Romans 6:23 Conclusion on Wages and Gifts

    Concluding that 'the wages of sin is death' (v. 23), Paul states that eternal life is a free gift from God through Christ Jesus, emphasizing God's grace.

Key verses

  • Romans 6:23Paul concludes his teaching to the Roman believers by contrasting the outcomes of sin and the gift of God, stating that 'the wages of sin is death'.

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Study questions

Questions for studying Romans 6

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v2, why does Paul say 'May it never be' regarding continuing in sin?
  2. observeWhat does Paul mean by 'united with him in the likeness of his death' in v5?
  3. interpretPaul's statement in v14 about sin not having dominion: how does this contrast with living under law?
  4. interpretIn v19, why does Paul mention 'human terms' when discussing servanthood to righteousness?
  5. applyWhen have you felt 'alive to God' in a specific moment, as mentioned in v11?

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Romans 6: frequently asked questions

What is Romans 6 about?+
Paul begins by asking if believers should continue in sin to increase grace, and he firmly states, 'May it never be!' (vv.
What is the key verse in Romans 6?+
Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
What are the main themes of Romans 6?+
The main themes of Romans 6 are union with Christ, freedom from sin, baptism, new life in Christ.

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Study Notes