Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Being “dead to sin” does not mean a believer never feels temptation or never sins again. It means sin is no longer the ruling power over their life. Through union with Christ’s death, the old way of living under sin’s control has been judged and broken. Like a master who has lost his slave through death, sin has lost its rightful claim. Believers are called to see themselves this way, turning away from sin as something that no longer fits who they are in Christ.

Question 2

How does baptism relate to Christ’s death and resurrection here?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, baptism is pictured as a sign of being joined to Jesus in his death and resurrection. Being “baptized into Jesus Christ” and “into his death” means that when a person is baptized, they publicly show that their old life of sin is counted as buried with Christ. Going under the water pictures burial, and coming up pictures rising with him. This points to a real change: those who belong to Christ are meant to leave the old life and “walk in newness of life,” shaped by his risen life.

Question 3

What is the "old man" and the "body of sin" that are crucified?

Accepted Answer

The “old man” is our old self as we are by nature, bent toward sin from birth. The “body of sin” is that whole bundle of sinful desires and habits that uses our bodies and minds to serve wrongdoing. Paul says this old man is crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be weakened and brought down from its throne. Sin is still present, but it is no longer meant to be served as lord. God’s purpose is that we “should not serve sin” as our master anymore.

Question 4

What does it mean to "walk in newness of life"?

Accepted Answer

To “walk in newness of life” means to live day by day in a new way that fits being raised with Christ. It is not just turning over a new leaf but living out a new identity. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work to change the believer’s desires, choices, and habits. Old patterns of sin are to be left behind, and a new pattern of obedience, love, and righteousness grows. This is a continual path, not something finished in one moment.

Question 5

Why does Paul say sin must not reign in our mortal body?

Accepted Answer

Paul speaks of sin “reigning” to picture it like a king or ruler giving orders. Our bodies are called “mortal” because they are still weak and subject to death, and sin tries to use that weakness. Believers are told not to let sin sit on the throne, so to speak, by obeying its desires. This means we should not quietly accept sinful thoughts and actions as normal, but fight them, trusting that in Christ we are no longer bound to obey those desires.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Our “members” are the parts of our body and the powers of our mind: eyes, hands, tongue, thoughts, and so on. Before, they were often used to serve sinful purposes. Now Paul urges believers to present themselves to God “as those that are alive from the dead,” and to offer every part of themselves as tools for what is right. That means using our bodies and minds for honesty, mercy, purity, and service to others, seeing ourselves as belonging to God, not to sin.

Question 7

What does it mean to be "not under the law, but under grace"?

Accepted Answer

Being “under the law” here points to being under the law as a condemning power, where its commands show sin but give no strength to overcome it. To be “under grace” is to live in the realm where God freely forgives and also changes the heart through Christ. This does not mean God’s standards vanish. Instead, it means sin will not have the final rule, because God’s grace gives both pardon and power to fight sin. Grace does not excuse sin; it breaks its dominion.

Question 8

If believers are dead to sin, why do they still struggle with it?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that while believers are counted dead to sin in Christ, sin is not completely gone from their experience. Its rule has been broken, but its presence remains until God finishes his work. That is why Paul both states what is true in Christ and still commands, “Let not sin therefore reign.” The struggle itself is a sign of new life, because those who belong to Christ no longer make peace with sin. They are called to keep reckoning themselves dead to sin and alive to God.

Question 9

How can this passage guide my daily fight against sin?

Accepted Answer

This passage invites you to start with who you are in Christ, not with your own strength. You can remind yourself that your old self was crucified with him and that you share in his risen life. Then, in practice, you refuse to let sin rule: you do not give your mind, eyes, tongue, or hands over to what you know is wrong. Instead, you consciously offer yourself to God, asking him to use you for what is right. The promise is that sin will not have dominion, because you are under grace.

Romans 6:1

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

Dead to Sin, Alive to God

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Romans 6:1

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

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Dead to Sin, Alive to God

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