Romans 6

The apostle proceeds to show that FREE JUSTIFICATION through the work of Christ ensures PERSONAL HOLINESS and FINAL MATATION. We cannot go on in sin that grace may abound; for we are one with Christ in His baptism, death, and life (1-11), and we are subject to Him as our King (12-14).

1. What shall we say then?** The reference here is to the declaration, ch. v. 20, which might be perverted into a warrant to sin: cp. iii. 7.

2 we that are dead. Lit., as R.V., “we who died”; implying also “we that are dead”—a most forcible use of a common figure for total and final separation. “The Christian’s breaking with sin is undoubtedly gradual in its realisation, but absolute and conclusive in its principle” (Godet: Commentary on the Romans).

3 into Jesus Christ. That is, into connexion with Him, and therefore sharing His death as deliverance from sin.

4 we are buried. Rather, as R.V., “we were buried.” “Just as the ceremony of interment, as a visible and public fact, attests death, so baptism, in so far as it is an outward and sensible act, attests faith, with the death to sin implicitly included in faith” (Godet). The baptism is that of believers. The going under the water indicated the death and burial of the old nature, and the coming up again the resurrection of the redeemed nature.

by the glory of the Father. By that power which displays God’s “glory.” Meyer explains the expression as “the glorious complete perfection of God.”

5 if we have been planted together. Rather, “If we are grown together,” like the stock and the scion. If our union to Christ is so close that we partake in His death, we shall also in His resurrection. “Baptism doth represent unto us our profession; which is, to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like unto Him: that, as He died and rose again for us, so should we, who are baptised, die from sin, and rise again unto righteousness” (Church of England Baptismal Service).

6 our old man. That is, our former self, in its unrenewed state (see Eph. iv. 22-24): the same thing as “the body of sin”; which is represented as being crucified in Christ’s death.

destroyed. The Greek word is one which St. Paul often uses. It should here be translated “rendered powerless.”

serve. Better, “be in bondage to,” as R.V.

7 is freed. Greek, “hath been justified.”

The Christian’s death with Christ frees him from serving sin, and assures him of perpetual life (8, 9).

8 if we be dead with Christ. Rather, “if we died with Christ.”

12 your mortal body. That is, as the word here used always means in the New Testament, “a body in which death is already at work.”

13 instruments. Or, as R.V. marg., “weapons”; by which the battle of life is to be maintained. The words, “unto sin” should be connected, as in R.V., with “yield.”

14 ye are not under the law, etc. To free the sinner from the guilt and the control of sin is the office, not of the law, but of the gospel, which provided a gratuitous justification, constrains the sinner, by the powerful motives of love and hope, to render a grateful and cheerful obedience. This doctrine and the objections to it are discussed more at length in the next chapter.

15. What then?** The inference from the fact of being “under grace” might appear to open the way to sinful living—a misuse of Christian liberty.

17. God be thanked, etc.** That is, “God be thanked that whereas ye were once bond-servants of sin, ye have now obeyed,” etc.

[that] form of doctrine which was delivered you. Lit., “that mould of teaching into which (like molten metal) ye were delivered.” Truth is here regarded as the mould or the pattern of character.

19. I speak after the manner of men, etc.** I use the phrase “bond-servants of righteousness,” not because the Christian is really a slave, but to make my meaning plain (see John viii. 36); or (more probably) because through “the weakness of the flesh” Christ’s service is sometimes hard to the imperfectly sanctified Christian.

20 ye were free from righteousness. R.V., “ye were free in regard of righteousness.” It probably means, When you served sin you had nothing to do with God’s righteousness. But what was the good of that freedom? What fruit but shame and death could it yield? Now your subjection to righteousness not only frees you from sin, but yields you the blessed fruit of holiness here, and eternal life hereafter. “For the wages of sin is death,” etc. (23).

23 wages. The word rendered “wages” signifies properly the soldier’s rations or pay: see note on the word “instruments,” ver. 13. Sin recompenses its soldiers with death. God freely gives eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.