1.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Verse 1
Shall we continue in sin, &c., that is, will this doctrine of the free pardon of the sinner, lead men to continue unconcerned in sin, relying for impunity on the abundance of divine grace? The substance of the answer contained in the Ro+6:2-14">subsequent verses is, that it will not, since, by the connection of the believer with Christ, a moral change takes place, which in a great measure destroys his love for sin.
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?
Verse 3
Were baptized into his death. The idea expressed in this passage seems to be this,--that, by the union of the believer with Christ, represented by the rite of baptism by which it is consummated, he under goes a change analogous to the death and resurrection of Christ; for, as Christ, at his crucifixion, brought one life,--that is, his life as mortal man,--to a close, and by his resurrection commenced a new life, as it were,--that is, his immortality,--so the believer closes his life of sin, and commences a new spiritual existence. Thus he becomes dead to sin, and alive to God. (Romans 6:11.) That this is the meaning, appears to be distinctly stated in Romans 6:4.
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.
Verse 4
Buried. Those who consider immersion the only proper mode of baptism, attach great importance to this expression, as an incidental indication that that mode was the one present to the apostle's mind.
5.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Verse 5
Planted together; joined together.--We shall be also; that is, we shall be joined with him. As he rose to immortal life after his crucifixion, so shall we enter upon a new spiritual life of holiness after becoming dead in respect to the old life of sin.
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.
Verse 6
Our old man; the unholy propensities of the natural heart.
7.
For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Verse 7
From sin; considered as a master; for death always sets the bondman free from his servitude.
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.
Verse 14
Shall not have dominion over you; make you the victim of its remorse and its penalties.--Not under the law; not dependent upon having fulfilled the law for salvation, but upon grace, that is, mercy.
15.
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Verse 15
Shall we sin? shall we go on sinning, without scruple, because we are delivered, as stated in the Romans 6:14, from the retributive power of sin?
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?
Verse 16
His servants ye are, &c. The meaning is, that it is vain for us to imagine that we can escape the scourge and torment of sin, through divine grace, while we yield ourselves up to the guilty indulgences of it in our practice; for, by the very fact of our continuing in the practice of sin, we show that we are still under the dominion of sin, and not in a state of grace. Whichever master we choose to follow in our lives and conversation, his we are.--Unto righteousness; justification, that is, pardon and peace.
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.
Verse 17
That ye were; meaning that ye are not now.
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.
Verse 19
After the manner of men; as usual among men; that is, plainly, and with illustrations drawn from common life.
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.