Gospel Prayer Ministry

📖 Passage

Romans 6:1–14
Read Romans 6:1–14 (NKJV)

🧠 Context & Background

Paul has established justification by faith apart from works (Romans 3–5). Now he answers an anticipated objection: if grace abounds where sin increases, should believers continue in sin? He shows that the believer’s union with Christ makes such reasoning impossible. Baptism illustrates this union with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, bringing newness of life. This section transitions into sanctification—living out righteousness as those freed from sin’s reign.

🌿 Key Themes

Union with Christ: Believers are spiritually united with Christ in His death and resurrection.
Death to Sin: Sin no longer holds dominion over the believer.
New Life: Christians are called to walk in resurrection power.
Grace and Obedience: Grace does not encourage sin but empowers holiness.
Living under Grace: A new reality defines the believer—life unto God, not slavery to sin.

📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary

Romans 6:1 — Shall We Continue in Sin?

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?”

Paul confronts a distorted conclusion: if grace covers sin, should believers sin more?
This objection shows he truly preached grace—yet he rejects the false logic.
Grace saves us from sin, not into sin.

Romans 6:2 — Dead to Sin

“By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”

Union with Christ means death to sin’s dominion.
Paul argues from identity: believers are dead to sin; therefore, continued slavery is inconsistent.
Grace transforms, it does not excuse.

Romans 6:3 — Baptized into Christ’s Death

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”

Baptism symbolizes union with Christ in His death.
To be in Christ means His death counts as our death to sin.
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward spiritual reality.

Romans 6:4 — Buried and Raised with Christ

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Burial emphasizes the finality of death to sin.
Resurrection points to new life—believers share Christ’s victory.
The purpose is transformation: living in “newness of life.”

Romans 6:5 — United with Him

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

Union with Christ is total: His death and resurrection are ours.
The future bodily resurrection is guaranteed.
Presently, believers live with resurrection power over sin.

Romans 6:6 — Old Self Crucified

“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.”

The “old self” (who we were in Adam) was crucified with Christ.
Sin’s power over the believer is broken.
Salvation brings freedom, not bondage.

Romans 6:7 — Freed from Sin’s Dominion

“For one who has died has been set free from sin.”

Death severs the authority of sin.
In Christ’s death, the believer is liberated from sin’s ruling power.

🔍 Trusted Insight

RC Sproul writes:

“Union with Christ is the foundation of the believer’s sanctification. When Paul says we have died to sin, he means that sin no longer reigns over us as it once did. This is not a call to sinless perfection, but to live out the reality that in Christ we are no longer slaves but free.”

Summary: Sproul emphasizes that sanctification flows from union with Christ, not human willpower. The believer’s identity in Christ guarantees freedom from sin’s dominion.

🧩 Review Questions

⚔️ Common Objections

Objection 1: “If grace covers sin, then sin doesn’t matter.”
- Answer: Paul rejects this outright — believers have died to sin in union with Christ (Romans 6:2). Continuing in sin contradicts our new identity.
Objection 2: “Grace encourages people to live however they want.”
- Answer: Baptism symbolizes union with Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4). Just as Christ was raised, we are called to walk in newness of life, not old patterns.
Objection 3: “Sin is too powerful; I can’t change.”
- Answer: The old self was crucified with Christ, breaking sin’s dominion (Romans 6:6). Believers are no longer slaves to sin but alive to God in Christ.
Objection 4: “Why not keep enjoying sin if grace is secure?”
- Answer: Christ’s resurrection ensures that death no longer rules (Romans 6:9). Likewise, believers must reckon themselves dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11).
Objection 5: “My body belongs to me; I can do what I want.”
- Answer: Paul says do not let sin reign in your mortal body, but present yourselves to God as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:12–13).
Summary: Grace is not license but liberation. Sin’s power is broken through union with Christ. We don’t keep sinning to showcase grace — we live transformed lives that reveal grace’s true power.

🙋 Application Questions

Where do you see evidence of “newness of life” in your walk with Christ?
What habits or sins must you “reckon dead” through union with Christ?
How can you actively present your body as an instrument of righteousness this week?

🔤 Greek Keywords

Baptizō (“to immerse”): Symbolizes identification with Christ’s death and resurrection.
Systauroo (“crucified with”): To be put to death together with Christ.
Kurieuō (“to have dominion”): Sin’s ruling authority, which is broken in Christ.
Charis (“grace”): God’s undeserved favor that frees believers to live in holiness.

📚 Cross References

Galatians 2:20 — Crucified with Christ, yet living by faith in Him.
Colossians 2:12 — Buried and raised with Christ through faith.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — New creation in Christ.
John 8:36 — “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
1 Peter 2:24 — Christ bore sins so we might live to righteousness.

📦 Next Study

Next Study → Romans 6:15–23

Romans 6:1-14 - Dead to Sin, Alive to God