The study of the Book of Romans chapter 6
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Romans chapter 6.
6:1 Shall we continue in sin that grace may be abound? If sin generates grace, should we encourage sin in order to cause more grace to be granted?
6:2 God forbid (Greek me genoito): Perish the thought; may it never be; don't even think that way. This expression of unthinkable horror occurs in Paul's epistles more than 60 times. He uses it whenever the thought suggested is too repugnant to entertain. Sin is singular in this verse and throughout this chapter. It refers to sin nature.
6:3 Baptized into Jesus Christ: Baptism joins the believer to Christ. This is a reference to the work of the Holy Spirit at salvation (1 Corinthians 12:13). Water baptism symbolizes this union. It separates the believer from his old life and identifies him, in resurrection, with new life in Christ. In this chapter Paul will dwell on baptism's profound practical significance. Into his death: We were identified with all Christ accomplished. His death forever broke sin's control over us.
6:4 We also should walk in newness of life: We should live our everyday lives manifesting resurrection life, free from sin's control.
6:6 Our old man: This is our old self, the person we were before we were crucified with Christ. Might be destroyed (lit., "rendered inoperative'). The believer now has the power to serve Christ instead of his old master, sin.
6:7 Freed from sin: The believer has been delivered from the guilt and penalty of sin and is set free to serve Christ.
6:11 Reckon (Greek logizesthe, "reckon," "take into account," "calculate"). The believer is to calculate all the facts as to his identification with Christ and his separation from sin, then live accordingly.
6:12 Let not (lit., "stop letting"): The believer is to stop letting sin have mastery over his life.
6:13 Neither yield ye (lit., "stop presenting"): In the day-to-day confrontations with sin, stop giving in. But yield (lit., "present yourselves"): Paul calls for a determined commitment.
6:15 Shall we sin? Paul now asks a slightly different question than he did previously. In 6:1 he sought to correct any misunderstanding as to the relationship of the believer to grace. Now he wishes to correct any misunderstanding that might arise as to the believer's relation to the law. Neither the submission to the former, nor release from the latter, is to be construed as an encouragement to sin.
6:17 That form of doctrine (lit., "pattern of teaching") which resulted in their conversion. Doctrine profoundly affects one's life. The life tells the type of doctrine that has shaped it.
6:18 The believer is not free to do whatever he wants. He is free only to do that which is consistent with the character of God. True freedom is freedom of sin.
6:19 Holiness: They are set apart from the practice of sin and set apart to the practice of righteousness.
6:23 Wages: Emphasizes what we deserve. Gift of God: Emphasizes God's unmerited favor.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
