Romans 6

Chapter Summary

Romans 6 begins with a question about the implications of God's grace for the Christian life, asking if believers should continue in sin so that grace may abound. Paul responds by emphasizing that believers have died to sin through their union with Christ in His death, as stated in Romans 6:2, 'How can we who died to sin still live in it?' He then explains that just as Christ was raised from the dead, believers too are raised to new life, enabling them to live a life of obedience to God, as seen in Romans 6:4. The chapter concludes by contrasting the slavery of sin with the freedom and service to God that believers experience, highlighting the choice between these two masters in Romans 6:16-23.

Context for the Chapter

Romans 6 is part of Paul's larger discussion on the implications of justification by faith, begun in Romans 3. Following the explanation of the believer's justification and the benefits that come with it in Romans 5, chapter 6 delves into the practical outworking of this justification, specifically how believers should live in light of their union with Christ. This chapter is crucial for understanding the Christian life, as it bridges the theological explanations of the first five chapters with the practical exhortations that follow in Romans 7 and beyond.

Heart Application

This chapter calls believers to recognize their union with Christ and to live out the implications of this union. By understanding that they have died to sin and been raised to new life, believers are empowered to reject the slavery of sin and instead serve God with their whole hearts, as exhorted in Romans 6:12-14. This realization should lead to a life of obedience, characterized by a sincere desire to please God and to live according to the new life they have in Christ.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Romans 6 teaches that through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are united with Him in His death and resurrection. This means they are no longer slaves to sin but are raised to a new life of obedience and service to God, as seen in Romans 6:4 and Romans 6:17-18. Believers are called to live out this new life, rejecting sin and embracing their new status as slaves to righteousness.

Voices from the Church

“The doctrine of our union with Christ is the key to all spiritual phenomena, the foundation of all spiritual blessings, and the fountain of all spiritual life.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“We are ingrafted into Christ, and made one with Him, that we may be partakers of all His benefits.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. Introduction to Union with Christ in Death (Romans 6:1-3) — Paul introduces the concept of believers' union with Christ in His death, emphasizing the end of their old life and the beginning of their new life in Christ.
2. Union with Christ in Death and Resurrection (Romans 6:4-5) — The chapter explains how this union affects believers, symbolized by baptism, marking their death to sin and resurrection to new life.
3. The Implications of Union with Christ (Romans 6:6-11) — Paul discusses the implications of this union for the believer's life, including their freedom from sin's power and their new life in Christ.
4. Slaves to Righteousness (Romans 6:12-23) — The believer's new status as slaves to righteousness is contrasted with their former slavery to sin, emphasizing their choice and responsibility to live a life of obedience to God.
5. Conclusion: The Choice Between Sin and Righteousness (Romans 6:20-23) — The chapter concludes by highlighting the believer's choice between sin and righteousness, emphasizing the eternal implications of this choice and the benefit of serving God.

Core Doctrines

Union with Christ

This chapter teaches that believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, which is the basis for their new life and their empowerment to live a life pleasing to God, as seen in Romans 6:3-5.

Justification

While not the main focus, the concept of justification underlies the discussion, as believers' union with Christ is a result of their justification by faith, as explained in Romans 5 and applied in Romans 6.

Sanctification

The chapter emphasizes the process of sanctification, where believers, through their union with Christ, are empowered to live a life of obedience to God, rejecting sin and embracing righteousness, as discussed in Romans 6:12-23.

Baptism

Baptism is presented as a symbol of the believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection, marking their public declaration of faith and their entrance into the new life, as explained in Romans 6:3-5.

Lessons from Romans 6

1. The Power of Union with Christ — Believers are empowered to live a new life through their union with Christ, which is the foundation of their victory over sin and their service to God, as seen in Romans 6:4-5.
2. The Significance of Baptism — Baptism symbolizes the believer's death to sin and their resurrection to new life, serving as a public declaration of their faith and their union with Christ, as discussed in Romans 6:3-5.
3. The Choice Between Sin and Righteousness — Believers have the choice between continuing in sin or living a life of obedience to God, with the understanding that their union with Christ empowers them to reject sin and serve God, as emphasized in Romans 6:12-23.
4. Living as Slaves to Righteousness — The chapter teaches that believers are to live as slaves to righteousness, using their bodies as instruments of righteousness, and understanding that this service leads to holiness and eternal life, as explained in Romans 6:19-23.
5. The Eternal Implications of Our Choices — The choice between sin and righteousness has eternal implications, with believers being called to consider the fruit of their choices and to live in light of their union with Christ and their future hope, as discussed in Romans 6:20-23.

Themes from Romans 6

1. Union with Christ — The central theme of the chapter, emphasizing believers' union with Christ in His death and resurrection as the basis for their new life and their empowerment to live a life pleasing to God.
2. Death to Sin — Believers have died to sin through their union with Christ, marking the end of their old life and the beginning of their new life, as explained in Romans 6:2.
3. New Life in Christ — The chapter teaches that believers are raised to a new life, empowered to live a life of obedience and service to God, as seen in Romans 6:4.
4. Slavery to Righteousness — Believers are now slaves to righteousness, using their bodies as instruments of righteousness and living a life that honors God, as discussed in Romans 6:12-23.
5. Eternal Implications — The choice between sin and righteousness has eternal implications, with believers being called to consider the fruit of their choices and to live in light of their union with Christ and their future hope.

Questions for Meditation

1. How does your union with Christ in His death and resurrection affect your daily life and your relationship with sin?
2. In what ways can you practically live out your new life in Christ, rejecting the slavery of sin and serving God with your whole heart?
3. How does the concept of being a 'slave to righteousness' influence your understanding of your responsibilities and freedoms as a believer?
4. What role does baptism play in symbolizing your union with Christ, and how can you apply the truths of Romans 6:3-5 in your walk with God?
5. How does the contrast between the slavery of sin and the freedom of serving God, as discussed in Romans 6:16-23, motivate you to live a life of obedience to God?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Romans 6

	Sermon	Description
	Enjoying God's Grace - Part 1 by Derek Prince	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of grace and its opposite, which is law. He emphasizes that when talking about law, it is not referring to secular law, but rathe
	Accountability to God - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill	Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the urgency of accountability to God, arguing that if believers truly believed in the imminent return of Jesus, their lives would reflect that belief t
	Christ Magnified in Our Bodies by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of redeeming the time and not wasting opportunities. He highlights the urgency of spreading the gospel, as there are millions
	Blood of Christ (Reading) by Watchman Nee	In this sermon on Romans chapter 5, verses 12 to 21, the preacher discusses the contrast between grace and sin, and the obedience of Christ versus the disobedience of Adam. The mai
	Continue in Sin by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of addressing hidden sins and lust in the hearts and minds of believers. He explains that God considers these hidden sins to
	Reality in the Christian Life by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the precious and magnificent promises that God has given us in the scriptures. He explains that these promises are not meant to solely bring
	Offer Your Bodies a Living Sacrifice by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the radical depravity and evil nature of mankind, highlighting that there is no hope for self-righteousness. The first 11 chapters of the bo
	(The Mission and Ministry of the Holy Spirit) the Power of the Holy Spirit by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and importance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. He encourages the congregation to seek a deeper relationship with Jes
	"Forget Miricales Preach Holiness" by Leonard Ravenhill	This sermon emphasizes the need for true, genuine conversion and a deep commitment to the cross, rather than just seeking emotional experiences or outward displays of spirituality.
	Victory Over One's Worst Enemy by Paris Reidhead	Paris Reidhead emphasizes that our greatest enemy is ourselves, revealing his personal struggles with spirituality and critical attitudes during his missionary work in Africa. He s

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Romans 6

Matthew Henry's commentary on Romans 6 emphasizes the believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection as the foundation for their new life. He explains that through this union, believers have died to sin and are raised to a new life of obedience and service to God. Henry highlights the significance of baptism as a symbol of this union and the believer's public declaration of faith. He also discusses the contrast between the slavery of sin and the freedom of serving God, emphasizing the believer's choice and responsibility to live a life pleasing to God. Throughout the commentary, Henry underscores the practical implications of this doctrine for the believer's daily life, encouraging them to live out their new life in Christ and to reject the slavery of sin, serving God with their whole hearts. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?