Romans 6
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1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? 3Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We 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. 5For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection; 6knowing 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. 7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; 9knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him! 10For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. 11Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12Therefore don’t let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13Also, 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. 14For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace. 15What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? May it never be! 16Don’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? 17But 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. 18Being made free from sin, you became bondservants of righteousness. 19I 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. 20For when you were servants of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21What 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. 22But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life. 23For 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)
“"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."”
Romans 6:23
Summary
Romans chapter 6 addresses the question of whether Christians should continue to sin so that grace may increase. The Apostle Paul strongly refutes this idea, emphasizing that believers have died to sin and should no longer live in it. Through baptism, Christians are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, enabling them to walk in newness of life. Sin no longer has dominion over them because they are now under grace, not law. Paul further explains that just as believers were once slaves to sin, they are now called to be slaves to righteousness, which leads to sanctification and ultimately eternal life. The chapter concludes by contrasting the outcomes of living in sin versus living in righteousness, highlighting eternal life as the gift of God through Christ Jesus.
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Chapter outline
How Romans 6 unfolds
Romans 6:1–2 Question of Continuing in Sin
Paul poses a rhetorical question about whether grace encourages continued sin, decisively rejecting the idea that grace should lead to sin.
Romans 6:3–5 Baptism and Union with Christ
He explains that baptism symbolizes believers' death to sin and their union with Christ, indicating a new identity and life.
Romans 6:6–11 Freedom from Sin's Bondage
The text emphasizes that the old self has been crucified, freeing believers from sin's control and presenting a call to live for God.
Romans 6:12–14 Living Under Grace
Believers are urged not to let sin reign in their lives, as they are no longer under the law, but under grace.
Romans 6:15–19 Servants of Righteousness
Paul contrasts serving sin versus serving righteousness, highlighting the transformative obedience that leads to sanctification.
Romans 6:20–22 Result of Righteousness
The chapter discusses the outcomes of living as servants of sin versus servants of God, emphasizing sanctification and eternal life.
Romans 6:23 Conclusion on Wages and Gifts
It concludes with the stark contrast between the wages of sin and the free gift of God, underscoring the importance of eternal life.
Key verses
Romans 6:23The key verse encapsulates the chapter's focus on the stark contrast between sin's consequences and the gift of eternal life.
Main themes in Romans 6
union with Christ
The theme of union with Christ surfaces in verses 3-5, where baptism signifies believers' identification with His death and resurrection. This union signifies a transformation that empowers believers to walk in newness of life. Within the chapter's broader movement, it underscores the shift from living in sin to living for God.
freedom from sin
Freedom from sin is highlighted in verses 6-7, where the crucifixion of the old self results in liberation from sin's dominion. Paul emphasizes that this freedom allows believers to choose righteousness instead. This theme is crucial to the chapter's argument, illustrating a life transformed by grace and empowered to resist sin.
baptism
Baptism is discussed in verses 3-4 as a pivotal act that symbolizes death to sin and new life in Christ. It serves as a public declaration of faith and identification with Christ's sacrificial death. In the context of the chapter, baptism is foundational for understanding the believer's new identity and calling.
new life in Christ
The concept of new life in Christ is introduced in verse 4 and elaborated throughout the chapter. This new life is characterized by righteousness and obedience, contrasting sharply with the former life of sin. It embodies the chapter's central message that believers are called to live according to their new identity.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Romans 6
- Romans 12This passage echoes the transformation theme, calling believers to present themselves as living sacrifices in response to grace.
- Galatians 2This verse connects by emphasizing justification through faith and the implications of living in union with Christ.
- Romans 8It develops the theme of life in the Spirit, contrasting it with a life bound by sin.
- Galatians 5This passage connects through its emphasis on freedom from the law and living by the Spirit.
- Colossians 3This verse echoes the theme of putting off the old self and living in the new identity found in Christ.
- Romans 7It develops the struggle with sin and the law, providing context for understanding freedom in chapter 6.
Study questions
Questions for studying Romans 6
- What does Paul mean by saying believers have died to sin?
- How does baptism relate to the concepts of death and new life?
- What is the significance of being a servant of righteousness?
- How does grace alter the believer's relationship to sin?
- What are the implications of being freed from sin according to this chapter?
- What contrast is made between the wages of sin and the gift of God?
- How can believers present their bodies as instruments of righteousness?
Romans 6: frequently asked questions
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Where Romans 6 comes up on ScriptureDepth
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- ArticleRomans 6:23 Meaning: Understanding Sin and Grace
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