Romans 6

1 From whence forward the Apostle teacheth, that they that are justified by faith in Christ are also by the power of Christ death and resurrection renewed and sanctified, and proves the same by the signification of our baptism, 5 as also by our anton with Christ, whereby we are with him dead to sin, and raised up into a new life. 9 Testifies further that as Christ died but once and thence forward always liveth in glory, so we also when we believe dye to sin, that from thence forth we may live holily. 12. From hence draws a general exhortation, that therefore sin must not reign over us but we over sin, 15 and declareth that the grace of God. And the liberty in which we stand, must also move us thereunto, 21 Finally strengthens this exhortation by the consideration of the fruit of sin, which is death: and of the end of sanctification which is eternal life by grace given us through Christ.

1. What we say therefore? [This objection ariseth from that which Paul had said in the two last verses of the former chapter] shall we continue in sin [that is, under the dominion of corruption, which is yet remaining in us, chapter 7. ver.14. etc. Or in all manner of sin which hath the upperhand in the world] that grace may be more? [namely, as seems to be testified in the two former verses: which is there expounded.]

2. For it be. [The Apostle by these words rejects any such consequences, as unworthy an answer, and proves the contrary that we must not continue in sin] we who are dead in sin, [that is, we who by the Spirit of Christ are delivered from the raging power of indwelling sin, ver.6.7. For to die to sin in the sin Scripture of the new Testament signifies, to let sin have no life in us: i.e. not to live under the power and dominion of sin,] how shall we still live in the same? [that is, leave sin its life and power, and let it have the upper hand in us.]

3. Or know we not that as many of us as we are baptized unto Jesus Christ, [Namely, to testify our communion that we have with Christ by faith] we are baptized unto his death. [that is, are assured by baptism that we have communion in his death, whereby not only our sins are expiated before God, but also the Holy Spirit is procured, by whose working the corruption that is in us hath its life or reigning power taken away, which is the first degree of our regeneration, Tit.3.5.6. the Apostle seems here to allude to the manner of baptizing, much used in warm Eastern Countries, where men were wholly dipped into the water, and remained a little while under water, and afterwards rose out of the water : and to show that this dipping into, and remaining in the water is representationof Christs death and burial; and the rising up out of the water, of his resurrection. Which also may well be applied to our manner of baptizing by sprinkling.]

4. We are therefore buried with him [This is the second degree of our regeneration, which is sealed unto us by baptism, namely the increasing and persevering in the killing of sin in us; as burial was a continuance of Christs death, ver, 6.] by baptism unto death, that in like manner as Christ was raised from the dead unto the glory of the Father, [Gr. Dia, which word most commonly signifies by, i.e. by the glory of the Father, yet is also sometimes taken for to, which fits best here. See 2 Pet. 1.3.] even so we also should walk in newness of life. [this is the third step of our regeneration, which we receive by the virtue of Christs resurrection, and is signified and sealed unto us by baptism: namely that we have received power from henceforth to walk in newness of life, that is in holiness and purity, Eph. 5. ver.26.27.]

5. For if we are become one plant with him [Or, are planted together. A similitude taken from a graft which is engrafted into a young tree, and draws the sap of life and fruitfulness out of it. Even so, he should say, they that by faith are united to Christ as stock (whereof baptism is also a sign Galatians 3:27.) they obtain by the Spirit of Christ, the power not only to kill and by degrees to bury sin, but also to arise more and more in newness of life, and to live holily to the glory of God, John 15:1.] in the conformation of his death, we shall also (in the conformation of his) resurrection.

6. Knowing this that our old man [So he calls the natural blindness and corruption of man, which we inherit from the first man, which he also elsewhere calls flesh, opposed to the new man which consist in knowledge, holiness and righteousness, Ephes. 4.32. Co;3.9.] is crucified with (him) [seeing Christ took our sins upon him on the cross, not only to expiate them, but also to abolish the same, as followeth. See also Hebrews 9:14.26.28.] that the body of sin [that is, the whole mass or joining together of this corruption, which is as an impure body which hath many impure members, Colossians 2:11. and 3.5.] may be abolished, [this body of sin is indeed wholly destroyed by Christ, as concerning his merits; and by his Spirit the reigning power thereof is also taken away in the regeneration ver 12.14. but must by degree be more and more abolished in us by the same Spirit, by closer application of the death of Christ, as Paul exhorts the regeneration thereunto, Romans 8:13. and 12.2. Ephesians 4:22. Colossians 3:9. until the same shall hereafter be wholly abolished in us, Hebrews 4:10.] that we may no more serve sin. [namely, as we did before our regeneration. See further exposition of this service of sin ver. 16,17,18,19.]

7. For he that is dead, [This is reason taken from the similitude of a dead man, who doth no more the works of the living, nor is any more obliged to any services, whereto he was obliged in his life time] he is justifieth from sin. [that is, freed or delivered from its power. For here is not properly spoken of forgiveness of sin as in the forgoing chapters, but of the abolition of the power of sin: A similitude taken from a man who being justifieth or absolved by the Judge, is also with all released and set free from his bonds.]

8. Now if we are dead with Christ [See the annot. On ver. 3.4.] we believe that we shall also live with him. [namely, a spiritual life in this life, and hereafter everlasting life. See Romans 8:10.11. Ephesians 2:5. Coloss. 2.13. and chapter 3.ver.1.2.3,4.]

9. Knowing that Christ being raised up from the dead, dieth no more: death reigned no more over him. [That is, hath no more power over him.]

10. For that he died, he died unto sin [Namely, for the expiation and abolition of the same] once: [for by one offering he hath forever perfected them that are sanctified, Heb. 10.40.] and that he liveth unto God. [that is, with God, and to the glory of God, being set down at his right hand.]

11. Even so ye make also ye account, that ye are indeed dead unto sin [that is, have died unto sin. See the annotat. On ver. 2.] but are alive unto God in Christ Jesus our lord. [that is, have received the power by the Spirit of Christ, to live before God, and to the glory of God, and to kill sin more and more. From thence therefore flows the exhortation in the following verses. See also Rom.8.1. etc.]

12. Let not therefore [That is, seeing ye are regenerate and delivered from the power of sin] sin [that is, the remainder of corruption which still remains in us for our exercise and humiliation] reign [that is, have the upper hand, namely, over the power and motions of the Spirit in you. See Romans 8:13.14. Galatians 5:16.17.18.] in your mortal body, [this is said, not because sinful lusts are only in the body, or have their originally in the body and not from the soul: for that is repugnant for that which Christ saith, Mat 15.ver. 18.19. and Paul, Galatians 5:19.20. but because these sinful lusts mostly manifest themselves in the body and are executed by the body] to obey it [that is, to follow or to do that, whereunto sin inticeth us by divers lust James 1:14.] in the lust of the same (body.)

13. Neither present ye your members unto sin [That is, to the service of sin which is yet in you] for weapons of unrighteousness: [that is, instruments, executioners of unrighteousness; even as soulder with his weapons executes that which his Governour commands him] but present yourself to God, [that is to the service of God] as being (become) alive from the dead, [that is, as being delivered from the death and power of sin, and endowed with the life of righteousness by Christ] and (present) your members [namely, as those that are instrument of the soul, to execute that which willeth or desireth] to God for weapons of righteousness.

14. For sin shall not reign over you: [In the 12. ver. This was an exhortation, but here it is a promise that sin shall not reign in us, if we do but dully strive against it: whereof the reason is given in the following words] for ye are not under the law [namely, which commands indeed what me must do, but gives not the power to do what it commands: terrifieth us by its threatening ,but doth not quicken nor excite us to over come sin; by reason that we are more and more convinced of sin , Rom. 7. and 2 Cor. 3.] but under grace. [namely, of Jesus Christ, who hath not only redeemed us from the guilt but also from the power of sin, and by his sprit gives us the power to resist and overpower sin with the lust thereof. See Romans 8:1,2,3,13. 2. Tim.1.7. 1 John 5:4.]

15. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the Law but under the grace? [This objection ariseth thence that someone might have ill interpreted words, not to be under the Law: namely, as if he had understood of the obedience of the Law, or of the rule of righteousness which is contained in the Law; and the word grace of a permission or freedom as everyone lifts: which the Apostle in the end of this verse rejects, and in the following verses powerfully confutes] Far it is.

16. Know ye not that whom ye present yourselves for servants unto obedience, [That is, to obey and subject yourselves to him] ye are servants of him whom ye obey, either of sin [that is, of reigning sin as before] unto death, or of obedience [namely, which ye owe unto God for your redemption] unto righteousness. [namely, to exercise righteousness.]

17. But God be thanked that ye were (indeed) [Namely, before ye believed in Christ] servants of sin, but (that now) ye are from the heart become obedient to the pattern of doctrine, [namely, of the gospel, which is a doctrine of godliness and righteousness; and like a pattern which leaves also such an impression in those that embrace it, so that they by the power Gods spirit give up themselves also to the imitation of the same doctrine] unto which we were given over:

18. And being made free from sin, [That is, from the slavery of sin,] are made servants of righteousness.

19. I speak after the manner of men, [That is, by the similitudes of things, which are known amongst men] because of the weakness of your flesh. [that is, that by the reason of the weakness of understanding in spiritual things, ye may better comprehend the same, John 3:12.] For as you have presented your members (to be)servants of uncleanness, [that is, to fleshly lusts] and to righteousness, [that is, of the lusts which tends to the oppression of your neighbour] unto unrighteousness, [that is, to the fulfilling of such evil lusts and desires] even so present your members (to be) servants of righteousness, unto justification. [namely, of your dealing and walking before God and men, as v. 22.]

20. For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness [Gr. Free to righteousness, i.e. destitute of all true righteousness: or not subject to righteousness, like a free man which is under no man.]

21. What fruit therefore had ye then of those things, whereof ye are now [Namely, after that ye are come to better knowledge] ashamed? [that is, are sorry and ashamed of those shameful things, wherein ye took pleasure before] For the end of the same is death. [namely, except we had been justified from it by the blood and the spirit of Christ, 1 Cor.6.11.]

22. But now being made free from sin [That is, from the slavery of sin as before] and being made servants to God, [that is, fit and will to serve God] ye have your fruits unto sanctification, [namely, in this life, as v. 19. See 1 Thes. 4.3.] and the end everlasting life.

23. For the wages [Gr. Stipends. A similitude taken from soulders, who at the end of their service get their pay or wage] of sin is death, [namely, not only, temporal but also eternal as appears from the following member] but the gracious gift of God [namely, which we obtain by Christ even in our sanctification, whereof he speaks] is eternal life. [that is, hath for its end the eternal life, as is spoken v. 22. not that it merits this (for then it should not be a gracious gift) but because Christ hath merited this for us, and shall of grace give it to us, as the following words through Jesus Christ show.