Romans 6 begins Paul's discussion of sanctification, addressing an important question that naturally arises from his teaching on grace. If salvation is by grace and not by works, should believers continue in sin so that grace may increase? Paul answers with a resounding:
"Certainly not!" (Romans 6:2)
The chapter teaches that believers have been united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Because of this union, Christians are no longer slaves to sin but are called to live in newness of life. Grace not only forgives sin; it also transforms the believer's relationship to sin. Romans 6 emphasizes both the believer's new identity in Christ and the practical implications of living under God's grace.
Key Themes
Paul begins by rejecting the idea that grace encourages sinful living.
"How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" (Romans 6:2)
The believer's relationship to sin has fundamentally changed because of union with Christ. Paul points to baptism as a visible picture of this reality. Just as Christ died, was buried, and rose again, believers are identified with Him in His death and resurrection (vv. 3-4).
This does not mean that Christians no longer struggle with sin, but that sin no longer reigns as their master. The "old man"—the person enslaved to sin apart from Christ—was crucified with Him (v. 6).
Paul teaches that believers must understand and embrace this truth:
"Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:11).
To "reckon" means to count as true what God has declared to be true. Christians are called to live in light of their new identity.
Therefore, believers are not to present themselves as instruments of unrighteousness but as instruments of righteousness for God's service (vv. 12-13).
The section concludes with a powerful promise:
"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14).
Grace frees believers not to sin more but to obey God more fully.
Paul anticipates another objection:
"Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?" (Romans 6:15)
Again, his answer is emphatic:
"Certainly not!"
Paul uses the imagery of slavery to explain spiritual reality. Every person serves a master. Before salvation, believers were slaves of sin. Through faith in Christ, they have been set free from sin's mastery and have become servants of righteousness.
"Having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (Romans 6:18).
Paul is not describing a loss of freedom but a transfer of allegiance. True freedom is found in joyful submission to God.
The Christian life involves intentionally presenting oneself to God and pursuing righteousness with the same seriousness that characterized former devotion to sin.
Paul concludes by comparing the results of serving sin versus serving God.
Before conversion, the fruit of sin ultimately led to shame and death:
"For the end of those things is death" (Romans 6:21).
In contrast, believers who belong to God now bear fruit that leads to holiness and eternal life.
Paul summarizes the entire chapter with one of the most well-known verses in Scripture:
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
Sin earns a wage—a deserved payment. Eternal life, however, is not earned. It is God's gracious gift through Jesus Christ.
Theological Significance
Romans 6 provides a foundational understanding of sanctification.
The chapter teaches that:
Paul establishes that salvation not only changes a believer's standing before God (justification) but also begins a transformation in how the believer lives (sanctification).
Application
Romans 6 reminds believers that the Christian life is not primarily about trying harder but about living from a new identity. Christians are no longer defined by their old life in Adam but by their union with Christ.
The chapter calls believers to reject sin's claims on their lives and to present themselves daily to God for His purposes. While the struggle against sin continues, sin is no longer the ruling power in the life of a believer.
Romans 6 also provides hope for those battling temptation. Through Christ, believers are not powerless victims of sin. God's grace enables them to pursue holiness and walk in obedience.
Key Verse
"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14)
Key Theme
Believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, freeing them from sin's dominion and enabling them to live as servants of righteousness under God's grace.