Dead to Sin, Alive to God: Embracing the New Life in Christ (Romans 6 Commentary)

✨ Executive Summary

Romans 6 is a cornerstone of Christian theology, particularly profound within the Coptic Orthodox tradition. This chapter powerfully elucidates the transformative impact of baptism, presenting it not merely as a symbolic act but as a mystical union with Christ’s death and resurrection. Through baptism, we die to our former selves, shedding the shackles of sin and being reborn into a new life of grace. The Apostle Paul masterfully argues that believers are no longer slaves to sin but are now slaves to righteousness, equipped by the Holy Spirit to walk in obedience and holiness. Understanding this chapter is crucial for comprehending our identity in Christ and living out our faith authentically. Let us delve into this important scripture to grasp a better understanding of how baptism makes us Dead to Sin, Alive to God.

The Apostle Paul begins this chapter by addressing a potential misunderstanding arising from his teachings on grace. Does grace, abounding even in the face of sin, give us license to continue sinning? Romans 6 provides a resounding “No!” and explores the profound implications of our union with Christ in His death and resurrection through baptism, a central sacrament within the Coptic Orthodox Church. This union makes us Dead to Sin, Alive to God, a concept central to our spiritual lives.

📖 Romans 6:1-2 – The Absurdity of Continuing in Sin

Original Greek (NA28): Τί οὖν ἐροῦμεν; ἐπιμενοῦμεν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ ἵνα ἡ χάρις πλεονάσῃ; μὴ γένοιτο. οἵτινες ἀπεθάνομεν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ, πῶς ἔτι ζήσομεν ἐν αὐτῇ;

KJV: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

NKJV: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

Paul anticipates the objection: If grace abounds all the more when sin increases (as he argued in Romans 5:20), shouldn’t we then *continue* sinning so that grace *even more* abounds? He uses the emphatic “μὴ γένοιτο” (mē genoito) – “Absolutely not! May it never be!” – a strong expression of rejection. Paul’s argument is rooted in the transformative reality of our death to sin. Having died to sin, how can we possibly continue to live in it?

Spiritual Application: We must always be vigilant against the temptation to abuse God’s grace. Understanding the seriousness of sin and the transformative power of our death to it is crucial for our spiritual growth. Strive to use resources such as Church websites, for support and spiritual guidance.

📖 Romans 6:3-4 – Baptized into His Death and Resurrection

Original Greek (NA28): ἢ ἀγνοεῖτε ὅτι ὅσοι ἐβαπτίσθημεν εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν, εἰς τὸν θάνατον αὐτοῦ ἐβαπτίσθημεν; συνετάφημεν οὖν αὐτῷ διὰ τοῦ βαπτίσματος εἰς τὸν θάνατον, ἵνα ὥσπερ ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ἐκ νεκρῶν διὰ τῆς δόξης τοῦ πατρός, οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐν καινότητι ζωῆς περιπατήσωμεν.

KJV: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

NKJV: Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Here, Paul delves into the profound meaning of baptism. It’s not merely a ceremonial washing, but a participation in Christ’s death and resurrection. The phrase “baptized into Christ Jesus” signifies a mystical union. We are “buried with Him through baptism into death,” echoing the ancient practice of immersion baptism, symbolizing the burial of the old self. The purpose? That “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” This “newness of life” is the resurrected life, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Patristic Insight: St. Cyril of Alexandria, in his commentary on Romans, emphasizes the realism of this union: “Κατὰ κοινωνίαν τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ, κοινωνοὶ τῆς ἀναστάσεως γινόμεθα” (Kata koinōnian tēs sarkos autou, koinōnoi tēs anastaseōs ginometha) – “Through participation in His flesh, we become partakers of the resurrection” (Cyril of Alexandria, *Commentary on Romans*, PG 74:793).

Historical Context: The practice of immersion baptism in the early Church vividly portrayed this burial and resurrection. Archaeological evidence from ancient baptisteries corroborates this. The Didache, an early Church manual, provides instructions for baptism, emphasizing immersion whenever possible.

Spiritual Application: Reflect deeply on your baptism. Understand it as a defining moment where you died to your old self and were raised to a new life in Christ. Let this understanding shape your daily walk.

📖 Romans 6:5-7 – United with Him in Death and Resurrection

Original Greek (NA28): εἰ γὰρ σύμφυτοι γεγόναμεν τῷ ὁμοιώματι τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς ἀναστάσεως ἐσόμεθα· τοῦτο γινώσκοντες ὅτι ὁ παλαιὸς ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος συνεσταυρώθη, ἵνα καταργηθῇ τὸ σῶμα τῆς ἁμαρτίας, τοῦ μηκέτι δουλεύειν ἡμᾶς τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ· ὁ γὰρ ἀποθανὼν δεδικαίωται ἀπὸ τῆς ἁμαρτίας.

KJV: For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

NKJV: For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.

Paul uses the word “σύμφυτοι” (symphytoi), meaning “planted together,” or “united,” emphasizing the intimate union between believers and Christ. Because we have been united with Him in His death, we shall certainly be united with Him in His resurrection. The “old man” – our former self, dominated by sin – was crucified with Christ so that “the body of sin might be done away with.” This doesn’t mean sin is eradicated entirely, but its power is broken. “For he who has died has been freed from sin.” Death, in this context, signifies liberation from sin’s dominion.

Spiritual Application: Remember that your “old man” has been crucified. Resist the temptation to revert to your former sinful habits. Claim your freedom in Christ and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

📖 Romans 6:8-11 – Living with Christ

Original Greek (NA28): εἰ δὲ ἀπεθάνομεν σὺν Χριστῷ, πιστεύομεν ὅτι καὶ συζήσομεν αὐτῷ, εἰδότες ὅτι Χριστὸς ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν οὐκέτι ἀποθνῄσκει, θάνατος αὐτοῦ οὐκέτι κυριεύει. ὃ γὰρ ἀπέθανεν, τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ ἀπέθανεν ἐφάπαξ· ὃ δὲ ζῇ, ζῇ τῷ θεῷ. οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς λογίζεσθε ἑαυτοὺς νεκροὺς μὲν εἶναι τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ, ζῶντας δὲ τῷ θεῷ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.

KJV: Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

NKJV: Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Because Christ has conquered death, we who are united with Him share in His resurrected life. Christ “dies no more; death no longer has dominion over Him.” His death was “unto sin once for all,” meaning it was a definitive and complete victory over sin. We are to “reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” “Reckon” (λογίζεσθε – logizesthe) is an accounting term, urging us to consider this a settled truth. We must actively choose to live in the reality of our death to sin and our life in God.

Spiritual Application: Consciously choose to identify with Christ’s death and resurrection. Meditate on this truth daily, and let it guide your thoughts, words, and actions.

📖 Romans 6:12-14 – Slaves of Righteousness

Original Greek (NA28): Μὴ οὖν βασιλευέτω ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐν τῷ θνητῷ ὑμῶν σώματι εἰς τὸ ὑπακούειν ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις αὐτοῦ· μηδὲ παριστάνετε τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν ὅπλα ἀδικίας τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ, ἀλλὰ παραστήσατε ἑαυτοὺς τῷ θεῷ ὡς ἐκ νεκρῶν ζῶντας, καὶ τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν ὅπλα δικαιοσύνης τῷ θεῷ. ἁμαρτία γὰρ ὑμῶν οὐ κυριεύσει, οὐ γὰρ ἐστὲ ὑπὸ νόμον ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ χάριν.

KJV: Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

NKJV: Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Paul urges believers to resist sin’s reign in their “mortal body.” We are not to “yield [our] members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin,” but rather “yield [ourselves] unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and [our] members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” This signifies a conscious choice to use our bodies – our hands, feet, mouths, minds – for God’s glory, not for sin’s gratification. “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” We are no longer bound by the law’s condemnation, but empowered by grace to live righteously.

Spiritual Application: Examine how you are using your body and your talents. Are they instruments of righteousness or unrighteousness? Make a conscious decision to dedicate them to God’s service.

📖 Romans 6:15-19 – From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God

Original Greek (NA28): Τί οὖν; ἁμαρτήσωμεν ὅτι οὐκ ἐσμὲν ὑπὸ νόμον ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ χάριν; μὴ γένοιτο. οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ᾧ παριστάνετε ἑαυτοὺς δούλους εἰς ὑπακοήν, δοῦλοί ἐστε ᾧ ὑπακούετε, ἤτοι ἁμαρτίας εἰς θάνατον ἢ ὑπακοῆς εἰς δικαιοσύνην; χάρις δὲ τῷ θεῷ ὅτι ἦτε δοῦλοι τῆς ἁμαρτίας, ὑπηκούσατε δὲ ἐκ καρδίας εἰς ὃν παρεδόθητε τύπον διδαχῆς, ἐλευθερωθέντες δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς ἁμαρτίας ἐδουλώθητε τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ. ἀνθρώπινον λέγω διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκὸς ὑμῶν. ὥσπερ γὰρ παρεστήσατε τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν δοῦλα τῇ ἀκαθαρσίᾳ καὶ τῇ ἀνομίᾳ εἰς τὴν ἀνομίαν, οὕτως νῦν παραστήσατε τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν δοῦλα τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ εἰς ἁγιασμόν.

KJV: What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

NKJV: What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

Paul anticipates another objection: If we are under grace, does that give us license to sin? Again, he answers with a resounding “μὴ γένοιτο” (mē genoito) – “Absolutely not!” He then introduces the concept of slavery. We are all slaves to something, either to sin, leading to death, or to obedience, leading to righteousness. We were formerly slaves of sin, but God be thanked, we have obeyed from the heart “that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” – referring to the Gospel message. Now, having been freed from sin, we have become “slaves of righteousness.” This is not a burdensome slavery, but a liberating one, leading to holiness.

Spiritual Application: Recognize that you are either a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness. Choose daily to submit to God’s will and walk in obedience. Reflect on the “form of doctrine” you have received – the teachings of the Church – and allow it to shape your life.

📖 Romans 6:20-23 – The Contrast Between Sin and Righteousness

Original Greek (NA28): ὅτε γὰρ δοῦλοι ἦτε τῆς ἁμαρτίας, ἐλεύθεροι ἦτε τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ. τίνα οὖν καρπὸν εἴχετε τότε ἐφ’ οἷς νῦν ἐπαισχύνεσθε; τὸ γὰρ τέλος ἐκείνων θάνατος. νυνὶ δὲ ἐλευθερωθέντες ἀπὸ τῆς ἁμαρτίας δουλωθέντες δὲ τῷ θεῷ ἔχετε τὸν καρπὸν ὑμῶν εἰς ἁγιασμόν, τὸ δὲ τέλος ζωὴν αἰώνιον. ὁ γὰρ μισθὸς τῆς ἁμαρτίας θάνατος, τὸ δὲ χάρισμα τοῦ θεοῦ ζωὴ αἰώνιος ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν.

KJV: For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

NKJV: For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul highlights the stark contrast between life as slaves of sin and life as slaves of God. When we were slaves of sin, we were “free from righteousness” – free to pursue our sinful desires without restraint. But what fruit did we have then? Things of which we are now ashamed, for “the end of those things is death.” Now, having been freed from sin and become slaves of God, we have “fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” The ultimate contrast: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This gift is freely offered, not earned, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Application: Reflect on your past life before Christ. What were the fruits of your actions? Are you now ashamed of them? Embrace the freedom and the fruit of holiness that come from being a slave of God. Cherish the gift of eternal life, offered freely through Jesus Christ.

💡 Key Reflections on Romans 6

Here are some key reflections and teachings from Romans 6:

• Baptism as Union with Christ: Baptism is not just a symbolic act but a real participation in Christ’s death and resurrection.
• Death to Sin: Through baptism, we die to our old selves, breaking the power of sin in our lives.
• New Life in Christ: We are raised to a new life, empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in obedience and holiness.
• Slavery to Righteousness: We are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness, choosing to live in accordance with God’s will.
• Grace vs. License: Grace does not give us license to sin but empowers us to overcome sin.
• Eternal Life: The ultimate fruit of our life in Christ is eternal life, a free gift from God.

❓ FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Romans 6

Here are some frequently asked questions about Romans 6, shedding light on some common points of confusion:

• Q: If I am baptized, does that mean I will never sin again?
  A: No. While baptism breaks the power of sin, it doesn’t eliminate the possibility of sinning. We still have a fallen nature and will face temptations. However, we now have the power of the Holy Spirit to resist sin and walk in obedience.
• Q: What does it mean to “reckon ourselves dead to sin”?
  A: It means to consider it a settled truth. We actively choose to believe that our old self has been crucified with Christ and that we are no longer bound by sin’s dominion. This requires a conscious effort to resist temptation and walk in the Spirit.
• Q: How can I practically live out the truth of Romans 6 in my daily life?
  A: Start by meditating on the truth of your death to sin and your new life in Christ. Pray for the Holy Spirit to empower you to resist temptation. Consciously choose to use your body and talents for God’s glory. Seek accountability from fellow believers.
• Q: Does being “under grace” mean that the law is irrelevant?
  A: No. The law still reveals God’s righteous standard and exposes our sin. However, we are no longer condemned by the law because Christ has fulfilled it on our behalf. Grace empowers us to live in accordance with God’s law, not perfectly, but progressively.

🕊️ Conclusion

Romans 6 offers a profound and transformative understanding of our identity in Christ. Through baptism, we are united with Christ’s death and resurrection, becoming Dead to Sin, Alive to God. This is not merely a theoretical concept but a practical reality that shapes our daily lives. We are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness, empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in obedience and holiness. Let us embrace this new life, reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. May we strive to live out the implications of our baptism, bearing fruit to holiness and looking forward to the ultimate reward of eternal life.

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baptism, Romans 6, death to sin, new life in Christ, grace, righteousness, Coptic Orthodox, theology, resurrection, salvation

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Explore Romans 6 verse-by-verse commentary from a Coptic Orthodox perspective. Discover how baptism unites us with Christ, making us Dead to Sin, Alive to God.