ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Romans 6

Rom. 6:1–23 The law does not and cannot conquer sin, but the grace given to followers of Christ triumphs over sin and death.

Rom. 6:1 Paul is likely responding to a question posed regularly by his Jewish opponents. They argued that his gospel led people to continue in sin.

Rom. 6:3 Christians died to sin when they were baptized into Christ. Paul is not arguing that baptism destroys the power of sin. Baptism is an outward, physical symbol of the inward, spiritual conversion of Christians.

Rom. 6:4 In the early church, baptism was probably by immersion. Baptism pictures being buried with Christ (going under the water) and being raised to new life with Christ (coming up from the water). This symbolizes union with, and incorporation into, Christ by the action of the Holy Spirit. Believers now have the power to live in newness of life.

Rom. 6:6 The power of sin has been broken in those who believe. Their old self (literally, “old man,” meaning who they were in Adam) was crucified and put to death with Christ. Body of sin refers to the ruling power of sin that people willingly accept. Paul does not argue that Christians do not sin at all, but he does say that they are no longer enslaved to sin. The normal pattern of life for Christians should be progressive growth in maturity and obedience to God’s moral law.

Rom. 6:7 One who has died means one who has died with Christ.

Rom. 6:10 died to sin. Jesus died because he took sin upon himself. His resurrection demonstrates that he has defeated both sin and death.

Rom. 6:11 dead to sin. Dead to the continual love for and ruling power of sin (see note on v. 6).

Rom. 6:12–13 Tension occurs here between what God has already accomplished and his people’s responsibility to obey. They are still tempted by desires to sin and must not let those desires gain control.

Rom. 6:14 sin will have no dominion over you. This is not a command but a promise that sin will not defeat Christians. under grace. The new covenant in Christ (see 3:24; 4:16; 5:2; 15–21).

Rom. 6:16 Giving in to sin leads to becoming obedient slaves to sin. This eventually leads to death. This does not mean that genuine believers can lose their salvation. It means that sinning leads them away from full enjoyment of life with Christ. However, people who do give themselves utterly to sin will die, that is, they will face eternal punishment (see notes on Heb. 6:4–8).

Rom. 6:20–21 Both physical and spiritual death are probably meant here.

Rom. 6:23 Wages implies that the punishment for sin is what one has earned and deserves. Free gift is the opposite of something one deserves. This fits Paul’s earlier emphasis on justification by grace alone (God’s unmerited favor; see note on 4:16), through faith alone (trusting in Christ for justification; see 1:17; 3:21–4:25).