What does it mean to be "dead to sin" in this passage?

Being "dead to sin" does not mean a believer never feels tempted or never falls into sin again. It means sin is no longer the ruling power or master in a person’s life. Through being joined to Jesus in his death, the old life where sin had the final say has been broken. Sin’s claim to condemn is removed, and its dominion is cut down. So a Christian can no longer settle into a pattern of willing, ongoing rebellion. Instead, they now belong to God and are called to resist sin and live in a new way.

How is baptism connected to Jesus’ death and resurrection here?

This passage says that those who were baptized into Jesus were baptized into his death and buried with him by baptism. Baptism is a sign that a person is joined to Christ, sharing in the benefits of his death and resurrection. Going down into the water pictures the old life dying and being buried, and rising from the water pictures being raised to a new life. It shows a break with the old rule of sin and a commitment to walk in newness of life, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory.

What does it mean that the "old man" is crucified with Christ?

The "old man" is our whole self as we were born in Adam, marked by sin and corruption. When Paul says the old man is crucified with Christ, he means that in God’s work of salvation, this old way of being is sentenced and put to death with Jesus. The “body of sin” is no longer allowed to rule as it once did. This does not mean sin is gone from a believer, but its ruling power is broken. The purpose is that we should no longer serve sin as slaves, but live as people made new in Christ.

If believers are under grace, why can’t they keep on sinning?

Some might think that if God shows more grace where there is more sin, then sinning more would highlight grace. Paul rejects this strongly. Grace is not a permission slip to sin, but the very thing that frees from sin’s rule. To be under grace is to be brought out from under sin and the condemning power of the law. It would make no sense to go back to what leads to death. Those who share in Christ’s death and resurrection are called to obey from the heart and offer themselves to God, not to return to their old master.

What does "let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body" teach about daily life?

This line shows that believers still have to struggle against sin in their bodies. Sin tries to rule through desires and cravings, but followers of Jesus are told not to let it sit on the throne. They are not to obey sinful lusts as if they had no choice. Instead, they are to refuse to hand over their minds, tongues, hands, and other members to sinful uses. The call is active: say no to sin’s rule and present yourself to God, using your body as an instrument for what is right.

What does it mean to yield your members as instruments of righteousness?

Our "members" are the parts and powers of our body and mind: what we think, say, and do. To yield them as instruments of righteousness means to consciously offer every part of ourselves to God’s service. Instead of using our bodies for impurity or harming others, we use them for what pleases God and helps people. This includes things like honest work, pure speech, kind deeds, and self-control. The passage says we should do this as those who are alive from the dead, living out the new life God has given.

How can someone be both free from sin and a servant of righteousness?

Paul explains that everyone serves some master. Before, his readers were servants of sin and free from righteousness, meaning righteousness had no real claim on them. Now, through God’s work, they have been set free from sin’s rule and have become servants of righteousness. This is not a harsh slavery, but a new belonging. To be a servant of righteousness means your life is now shaped by God’s teaching, and you are gladly bound to what is good. This service leads to holiness and, in the end, eternal life.

What is meant by "the wages of sin is death" in this passage?

"The wages of sin is death" means that death is what sin earns and deserves, like pay given at the end of work. The path of sin leads to shame and finally to death, both physical and spiritual. In contrast, eternal life is not something we earn. It is called the gift of God, given freely through Jesus Christ our Lord. So Paul sets two paths side by side: serving sin, which pays out death, and belonging to God, which bears the fruit of holiness and ends in everlasting life.

How does this passage call believers to live differently from their past?

Paul reminds his readers of what they once were: servants of sin, doing things they are now ashamed of, with death as the outcome. Now, having been freed from sin and made servants of God, their lives should show a different fruit. They are to yield themselves to righteousness leading to holiness, walk in newness of life, and reckon themselves dead to sin and alive to God. This means a real break with old patterns, a new obedience from the heart, and a steady aim toward a life that reflects their union with Christ.

Rom.6.1

Romans 6:1

KJV

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Dead to Sin, Alive to God

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 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.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 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.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 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.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

The Wages of Sin

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

16 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?

17 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.

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

19 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.

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.