Main Highlights
Being united with Christ in His death and resurrection, believers are dead to sin and alive to God, and should not let sin reign in their mortal bodies.
Key Verses
- "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?"— Romans 6:1-2
- "Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."— Romans 6:4
- "For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace."— Romans 6:14
- "For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."— Romans 6:23
Related Scripture
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.— 2 Corinthians 5:17
Scholar Insight
"To be 'in Christ' is to share his death and resurrection, to die to the old life of sin and self and to live a new life of righteousness and service." - N.T. Wright, What Saint Paul Really Said"
Theological Analysis
What we learn about God
We learn that God is holy and desires holiness in his people. He provides a way for us to be freed from the slavery of sin and become slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18, 22).
Christological Connection
Jesus is referenced as the one we are united with in his death and resurrection, through whom we are freed from sin and alive to God (Romans 6:3-5, 10-11, 23).
Systematic Theology
This passage teaches the doctrine of sanctification, that through our union with Christ, we are progressively conformed to his image, becoming more like him in our thoughts, words, and actions.
Law & Grace
The passage contrasts being under the law, where sin is our master, with being under grace, where sin no longer has dominion over us (Romans 6:14-15).
Personal Application
People should respond by considering themselves dead to sin and alive to God, presenting their bodies as instruments of righteousness, and obeying God from the heart (Romans 6:11-13, 17).