2025 Bible Study Group

[GodfatherPartTwo]

Romans 6

If salvation were really so easy, then won't men take it as a license to sin? Paul gives the answer:

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

Romans 6:3-7
Paul gives a brief treatment of baptism unto death. Some men, whenever they see the words 'baptism' or 'water,' will collapse them all to refer to the ordinance without regard to the context. I take Paul to refer to the spiritual reality behind the symbolon, since he makes no mention of water, but speaks of union with Christ, not that they're disconnected, but they are distinct. When Christ died, I died. Since He was raised, I will be raised. What is the result?

11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

"I am crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life that I do live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

I think that some men would be happier if they were not under Grace but under Law. The Apostle has a word for them, Galatians 5:4: You have been severed from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have fallen from grace!

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There it is, a direct harkening back to Romans 4:4-5. The wage that God owes our work is death, it is merited. But eternal life in Christ Jesus is freely given to the one who does not work, but believes upon Him who justifies the ungodly.

@Samseau If you disagree with me, then feel free to message me. I don't think the members appreciate our back-and-forths.

 

[JCSteel]

Romans 6

In this chapter it's as though Paul is clarifying what faith and baptism into Christ really means. And what union with his death and resurrection means.

How can men baptized into Christ wallow in sin if they understand what it means to believe and be baptized?

How can those who profess Christ choose to live in sin any longer? (Verse 2)

We died with Christ so as Christ was raised from the dead we might walk in newness of life. (Verse 4)
United to his death and resurrection, which represent our death to sin and our new birth, and the literal resurrection of our own bodies. (Verses 5-8)

Christ died so we might no longer be slaves of sin. (Verse 6)

We died to sin when Christ died and we will be raised with him, spiritually and physically, united to his resurrection. (Verse 8)

Count yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus; therefore don't let sin reign in your bodies: put it to death. (Verses 11-12)