Romans 6

What then: Because Paul has just proclaimed that God multiplies grace where sin increases (5:20), he knows that people will wonder whether this means that sin does not matter in the Christian life.

we who died to sin: Paul explains in 6:3–10 our new relationship to sin is possible because we are closely connected to the death of Jesus. Just as dying means entrance into an entirely new state of being, our relationship with sin is now different because of Christ’s death.

To be dead to sin does not mean that believers no longer feel temptation or desire to sin. Believers are still involved in a struggle against sin (6:12–14). However, Christians no longer have to live as helpless slaves to sin. Because of Christ’s death, they are able to choose not to sin (6:6, 14, 16–22).

Baptism is the ceremony that initiates a person into the Christian faith (see Acts 2:38, 41). It sometimes represents the whole conversion experience. Paul describes baptism as the way Christians unite to Christ in his death and resurrection (see also Romans 6:4). However, baptism has no value apart from faith.

We were therefore buried with Christ: The Christian's power over sin and ability to lead a new life come from union with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (see 6:5, 8). From God's perspective, because Jesus died to sin, Christians have as well (see 6:10). The resurrection of Jesus means we also start a new life, and in the future, our bodies will also be raised.

our old self: Our "old self" is not only a part of us. It represents who we were in spiritual union with Adam. All humans were born "in Adam." As those who inherit the effects of sin and death he brought into the world, humans became slaves to sin's power (5:12).

Now, however, we are in Christ. We have shared in his death on the cross (see also Galatians 2:20). When he died on the cross, the old self of Christians also died to the power of sin that once controlled them.

we will also live with him: This means we will experience a resurrection of our bodies with Christ (see 6:5). Christians are already spiritually resurrected with Christ (Ephesians 2:5–6; Colossians 2:13). We will also experience a physical resurrection when he returns in glory (2 Corinthians 4:14; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Timothy 2:11).

He died to sin once for all: Because Christians spiritually died with Jesus, we have also died to sin (6:4–5; 6:2). Jesus was never under sin’s power like we were, because he did not inherit the effects of sin from Adam and never committed sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). However, when he became human, he entered a world where sin has power. In this human life, he was truly able to be tempted by sin.

• You are not under law: With the coming of Christ, the period ruled by the law of Moses came to an end (see Galatians 3:19–25).

• under grace: God has always acted toward his people with grace. However, grace now rules the new era in which Christians live in Christ. Compare John 1:17.

we are not under law: The law of Moses ruled the period of the old covenant. Christians now live under the rule of Christ himself.

righteousness (Greek dikaiosunē): In the first part of Romans, Paul uses this Greek word in a legal sense. It refers either to God’s action of placing people in a right relationship with himself or to the right standing believers receive because of Christ’s work (see, for example, 1:17; 3:21–22; 4:3, 5).

Here, Paul uses the same word in the way it is often used in the Old Testament. It means the right kind of behavior that God expects from his people.

Paul uses the Greek word sarx (human nature, or flesh) to describe human weakness and the tendency to sin. Paul uses the illustration of slavery to show the relationship of the human nature to sin.

free from the obligation to righteousness (literally free from righteousness): Paul means either that unbelievers feel no obligation to obey God or that they are unable to do so. But the freedom that they boast of actually makes them slaves to sin.

death: Throughout chapters 5–8, Paul uses death to describe the eternal consequences of sin (5:12, 14, 15, 17, 21; 6:16, 23; 7:5, 9–10, 13, 24; 8:2, 6, 13). This language refers back to God’s warning to Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:17). This death is not mainly physical. It means human separation from God's fellowship or union with God. If not reversed through faith in Christ and, it will last forever.