Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
–
21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
[NCMM]
|
Locate verse: Type a verse reference like 'Romans 10:9' or abbreviated 'Rm 10:9'.
By just typing the verse one can jump to the corresponding verse on the active page (only works if the current page displays a chapter).
If a chapter and a verse is entered without a book, the current selected book is assumed.
Providing only the name of a book will bring one to the chapter index of that book.
Examples (without the quotes): '1 Tim 3:16', 'Rv 1:8', 'Matthew 5', '3:16', '8', 'Phm'.
|
THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS
CHAPTER SIX:
“A New Form of Living Slavery”
[“Baptism Into Death”]
Key word: Slavery
Theme Verse: 13
Romans 6:1-7 – Sin No Longer Charge to the Dead
RO6:1 What, then, shall we say?
Shall we continue in sin so that [His] unmerited favor may abound?
| 296 | What, then, shall we say: Paul begins a metaphor using death, resurrection, and baptism as ways of explaining the new Christian life. |
| 297 | So that [His] unmerited favor may abound: Or, PME: shall we sin to our heart’s content and see how far we can explore the grace of God. This idea was brought up earlier as a charge against Christians. Compare the notes on Romans 3:8. |
RO6:2 Never may that occur! [Since] we died to the sin how will we still live in it?
| 298 | We died to the sin how will we still live in it: Or, KNX: we have died, once for all, to sin; can we breathe its air again.
There is a difference between sinning and living in sin. See notes on Romans chapter 7 and the struggle between wanting to do right and the principle of sin at work within. (Hebrews 10:26) Christians do not live in sin, or follow sin as a regular and normal
course. Sin will be the exception rather than the norm which is righteousness. |
RO6:3 Or, are you ignorant
that every person baptized into Christ Jesus was baptized into his death?
| 299 | Are you ignorant: Or, KJV: know ye not; CON: have you forgotten. |
| 300 | Every person baptized into Christ Jesus was baptized into his death: Or, ABU: immersed into his death. People may “immerse” themselves into some
thing or act. Some view this as a reference to water baptism as a new disciple. Others see it was the spirit baptism making one a member of the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27) The idea of immersion into the death of Christ – or one like Christ’s – is not original with Paul. The Nazarene suggested the same to his apostles. (See Mark 10:38; Luke 12:50) Jesus also uses the parallel of drinking from the same cup. Every disciple of Jesus must understand they begin an immersion into a death like his. Compare Philippians 3:10 and Revelation 2:10. Every new disciple ought to read these verses with deep prayer. |
RO6:4 Therefore, we were buried with him by baptism into his death.
So that, just as Christ was raised up from the dead, by the glory of the Father, so also, we should walk in a newness of life.
| 301 | We were buried with him by baptism into his death: Or, MOF: our baptism in his death made us share his burial. One can
get lost in the metaphor or illustration and make too much of it. Paul is moving toward the idea that if one has died to sin then they can no longer “live in it.” He will use the example of a slave to illustrate his thought further. Compare 2 Corinthians
4:10 and Colossians 2:12. When a new disciple is baptized in total water immersion something of an example of dying is in the imagery; for if one remained below water death would result. The disciple should understand that this immersion or baptism is a process
that begins with water baptism and concludes upon death and resurrection. |
| 302 | We should walk in a newness
of life: Or, MOF: live and move in the new sphere of life; WEY: live an entirely new life; AMP: habitually live and behave in newness of life. We reach Paul’s main point. An old life has been left behind during baptism. When the disciple is raised
out of the water of baptism a new life attitude and life-style begins. Compare 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15, Colossians 3:10 and see the notes on Ephesians 3:16 and 1 John 3:14. |
RO6:5 For
if we were planted together in the likeness of his death,
we shall also be in the [likeness of his] resurrection.
| 303 | If we were planted together in the likeness of his death: This is the literal Greek. Or, CON: grafted into; ABU: become
united with; GDS: if we have grown into; WEY: become one with him any undergoing a death like his. Paul compares the death of the Saint to planting a seed in the ground that will bloom in the future. (1 Corinthians 15:43) |
| 304 | We shall also be in the [likeness of his] resurrection: Christ’s resurrection was into a heavenly, spiritual form. Compare 1 Corinthians
15:42, 49, 50 and 1 Peter 3:18. |
RO6:6 For we are aware that our old human [nature] was impaled
together [with Christ] so that this sinful body may be inactive.
We no longer continue as a slave to the sin.
| 305 | We are aware that our old human [nature] was impaled: [Most will read “crucified” here.] Or, KJV: old man;
WEY: old self; NEB: the man we once were; NWT: old personality. Compare Galatians 5:24 and Colossians 3:5. See notes on Ephesians 4:22. |
| 306 |
This sinful body may be inactive: Or, KJV: the body of sin might be destroyed; RHM: powerless; WEY: neutralized; AMP: ineffective and inactive for evil. |
| 307 | We no longer continue as a slave to the sin: Or, KJV: should not serve sin. Compare notes on Romans chapter 7. There is a difference between sinning and being a slave to sin. (2 Corinthians 7:1) The Christian
does not obey sin as the master. The word “slave” occurs upwards of 18 times in Romans. Note how Paul introduced himself in Romans 1:1. It occurs over ten times in chapter 6. |
RO6:7 For
sin is no longer credited against those who have died. | 308 | For sin is no longer credited against those who have died: Or, KJV: he that is dead is freed from sin; PME: for a dead man can safely be said to be immune to the power of sin. Some believe this should read in such a manner that a person who has died has paid the debt of sin and thus been justified or acquitted from sin. However, both in Romans chapters 2 and 14 Paul argues that each dead person must rise to their judgment based on their past conduct. Death is the result of sin. Death does not cancel the responsibility for sin. Research the word judgment for more details. Paul writes elsewhere that all die and then are judged. (Hebrews 9:26; 2 Corinthians 5:10) The point seems to be: the dead no longer sin. This is harmony with the context of Paul’s argument. |
Romans 6:8-11 – Dead and Alive
RO6:8 However, if we died with Christ,
we believe that we will also live with him.
| 309 | If we died with Christ: Or, CON: if we have shared the death of Christ. This seems to be the meaning based on the context
of Romans 6:5. It infers a loyal death in faithfulness to Christ. |
| 310 | We believe that we will also live
with him: Paul’s expression of faith. The word “creed” (credo) means “I believe.” Clearly everlasting life with Jesus in the heavens was part of Paul’s gospel. (1 Corinthians chapter 15; 2 Corinthians 5:1-9; 2 Timothy
2:11) |
RO6:9 We realize that Christ has been raised up from the dead he dies no more.
Death no longer lords it over him.
| 311 | He dies no more: Jesus Christ became immortal. (1 Corinthians 15:40-50; Revelation 1:18) |
| 312 | Death no longer lords it over him: Or, KJV: death hath no more dominion over him; RHM: hath lordship. This is a most interesting
statement: for it demonstrates that in the “days of his flesh” Jesus Christ was subject to the possibility of death. (Hebrews 5:7) He was not God “who cannot die.” (Habakkuk 1:12) It is noteworthy that Adam’s everlasting life was based on his obedience. The “last Adam” was no different. Had he disobeyed God he also would have died. |
RO6:10 For, in that he died to the sin he died once for all;
but, in that he lives, he lives to The God.
| 313 | He died once for all: Or, KJV: he died unto sin once; WMS: ended his relation to sin. This phrase is very similar to Hebrews
9:26-28. |
| 314 | He lives to The God: Or, GDS: the life he now lives is a life in relation to God; TAY:
he lives forever in unbroken fellowship with God. Christ’s immortal life is completely devoted to God just has it had been in the past (John 17:5; Proverbs 8:22-30), as well during his life on earth. (Hebrews 5:7) |
RO6:11 Just so, also you, account yourselves to be those dead, indeed, to the sin;
but, those living to The God incorporate in Christ Jesus. | 315 | Account yourselves to be those dead, indeed, to the sin: Or, GDS: you must think of yourselves as dead to sin; WMS: as having ended your relation to sin; PME: to look upon yourselves as dead to the appeal and
power of sin. (Colossians 3:1-5) Since a dead person no longer sins, the Christian must consider himself dead to sin and thus following a course of righteousness. |
| 316 | Living to The God incorporate in Christ Jesus: Or, KJV: alive unto God; TCN: living for God; WMS: living in unbroken relation to God; PME: alive and sensitive to the call of God. This describes the Christian
life perfectly. The time will come in universal history when every living being will view God as the center of life. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:28, “God may be everything to everyone.” (MOF) God must be life itself to the disciple of Christ,
the first place in every decision made in life. |
Romans 6:12-14 – Present Yourself to God
RO6:12 Therefore, do not let the sin dominate in your mortal body
obeying its desires.
| 317 | Do not let the sin dominate in your mortal body: Or, KJV: let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body; WMS: sin must
not continue to reign; MON: let not sin rule as king. There is a difference between sinning and allowing sin to dominate. There is an echo here of Genesis 4:7. (Psalm 119:133) As long as a Christian resists sin, not yielding to it, then sin does not dominate
the human frame of flesh even though imperfect. |
| 318 | Obeying its desires: Or, CON: causing you to obey
its lusts; TCN: compel you to obey its cravings; KNX: subject to its appetites. (James 1:15; 4:1) Desire is at the root of sin, but when desires are acted on, sin results. The Christian must struggle to stop the desire. |
RO6:13 Neither present your body-members to the sin as tools of unrighteousness.
Rather, yield over yourselves to The God
as if living [after] coming out of the dead.
Also, [present] your body-members to The God as tools of righteousness.
| 319 | Neither present your body-members to the sin as tools of unrighteousness: Or, KJV: neither yield ye your members as instruments
of; MON: do not continue to present any part of your body to sin; WEY: no longer offer your faculties as instruments of wickedness for sin to use; TCN: any part of your body; GDS: instruments of wrong; BEC: don’t let sin keep on using your organs as tools for doing wrong. See notes on Romans 7:5. (1 Corinthians 6:15) |
| 320 | Yield over yourselves to The God: Or, PME: put yourselves in God’s hands; NEB: put yourselves at the disposal of God; MOF: dedicate yourselves to God. The disciple dedicates, or, consecrates self to God as a disciple of the Nazarene. (See notes on Matthew 16:24.) |
| 321 | As if living [after] coming out of the dead: Or, TCN: though once dead, now have life; PME: like men rescued from certain death; NEB: as dead men raised to life; MOF: brought from death to life. This echoes the Nazarene at John 5:24. Compare notes on Ephesians 2:4 and 1 John 3:14. The way all mankind will one day live. |
| 322 | Your body-members to The God as tools of righteousness: Or, KJV: instruments; MON: weapons; TCN: to the cause. Compare notes on Ephesians 6:15-17. The Christian disciple’s body members and limbs must be used in righteousness. |
RO6:14 Because sin should not lord it over you,
for you are not under [the] Law but under unmerited favor. | 323 | Sin should not lord it over you: Or, KJV: not have dominion over; GDS: no longer control you; PME: not meant to be your master. See notes n Romans 7:13-25. When the disciple continues to resist sin it proves
he/she are no longer slaves to it. However, if habitual sin persists – for example slander or hurtful gossip – then one allows sin to “lord it over you.” |
| 324 | For you are not under [the] Law but under unmerited favor: Or, MON: not under the rule of law but under the rule of grace; BER: you are not governed by Law. Paul has explained earlier
what he considers “law” with examples from the Ten Commandments. A study of Jeremiah 31:31-35 and related cross references is helpful to understand how one is not under the Law, including the Ten Commandments, and yet lives to God under His grace. |
Romans 6:15-20 – A New Slavery to Righteousness
RO6:15 What then? Shall we continue to sin because we are not under [the] Law
but rather under unmerited favor? May it never be so!
| 325 | Shall we continue to sin because we are not under [the] Law: Or, TCN: are we to sin because we are living under the reign
of love and not of law. The question is just as important today. Some, arguing for slavery to the Ten Commandments, suggest this means we may sin all we wish because we are not under the Law of Moses. (1 Corinthians 9:21) The misunderstanding lies in an ignorance
of the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:31-35. Some modern Christians even label themselves “carnal Christians.” It is for this reason one sees Christian leaders who persist in sin with impunity. |
RO6:16 Do
you not realize that, to whomever you present yourselves as slaves
to be obedient, you are slaves of whom you obey? Either of
sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness.
| 326 | Slaves: All slaves have masters to whom they must be obedient. All persons have developed a slavery to someone or something.
One obeys the master to whom one is enslaved – whether riches, leisure, luxuries, drugs, sex, alcohol, work, sports, music, art, a loveless marriage, politics, and a thousand other “masters.” Here Paul means slavery to the Law that identifies
sin. On the other hand, if one is a slave to God’s righteous no law is need. See notes on 2 Peter 2:19. |
| 327 |
Either of: There are two choices: slave for sin and die; or, slave in obedience to God and obtain true righteousness. This echoes the Nazarene. (John 8:34) See notes on Romans 6:23. (Hebrews 5:9) Also see notes on Romans 1:17. |
RO6:17 However, thanks to The God – though you were once slaves of the sin – you obeyed from the heart because you were committed to that type of teaching.
| 328 | You obeyed from the heart because you were committed to that type of teaching: Or, KJV: that form of doctrine which was
delivered you; BER: the standard of teaching to which you were introduced; ASV: form of teaching; CON: the teaching whereby you were moulded anew. There is a more enlarged phrase at 2 Timothy 1:13, HYPO-TUPOSIN. Obedience to God arises out of a commitment to a certain form of teaching, that of the Nazarene Master. |
RO6:18 But, having been freed from the sin you have [now] become enslaved to the righteousness.
| 329 | Enslaved to the righteousness: Or, CON: bondsmen of righteousness. The disciple’s life has changed in the opposite
direction. Once a slave to wrong-doing and what is harmful to others, now spiritually revived, the new disciple turns to becoming a slave to right-doing. (1 Corinthians 7:22; 1 Peter 2:24) Read First John for some clarity on “righteousness.” It
is often associated with charity. |
RO6:19 I speak with a human view because of your fleshly weakness. Because, just as you presented your body-members as slaves to uncleanness
– and as those unlawful unto that lawlessness
– so now, present your body-members as slaves to that righteousness resulting in holiness.
| 330 | Slaves to uncleanness: Or, TCN: impurity; GDS: vice. See notes on the word AKATHARSIA [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
#167, impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living] at Galatians 5:19. |
| 331 | Those unlawful unto that
lawlessness: Or, KJV: and to iniquity unto iniquity; TCN: and of wickedness, which leads to further wickedness; GDS: greater and greater license; WMS: ever increasing lawlessness. Slavery to sin does not satisfy until even more gross sins are committed.
It becomes easier and easier to violate God’s law. |
| 332 | Slaves to that righteousness resulting in
holiness: Or, ASV: unto sanctification; TCN: which leads to holiness; WEY: with holiness as your goal. Righteousness is obedience to law. Holiness is something bestowed by God on the righteous. Holiness is not static but needs ongoing perfection. (2 Corinthians
7:1; see notes on Romans 12:1) The English word “holiness” comes from sound, whole, happy; and, in a spiritual sense: dedicated to God, sacred, consecrated, spiritually perfect. The word group occurs a thousand times in the Bible. Most often in
Leviticus (111), Isaiah (63), Ezekiel (65); and in the Christian Bible, the book of Acts (53), and the book of Romans (23). The righteous Christian will also be holy or spiritually pure. |
RO6:20 For,
when you were slaves of the sin you were those not bound by the righteousness. | 333 | Those not bound by the righteousness: Or, KJV: free from righteousness; CON: free from the service of righteousness; MON: you were under no subjection to; BEC: weren’t free
to serve righteousness as your master. |
Romans 6:21-23 – Slaves Freed from Sin’s Wage
RO6:21 So now you are ashamed of the past fruitage you had then.
For that [fruitage] ends in death.
| 334 | So now you are ashamed of the past fruitage you had then: Or, MOF: well, what did you gain then by it? Nothing, but what
you are now ashamed of; WMS: what were the fruits that you reaped; KNX: what harvest were you then reaping, from acts which now make you blush. See the notes on Romans 1:27. (Jeremiah 12:13) |
| 335 | For that [fruitage] ends in death: Or, PME: for in the long run those things mean one thing only – death. See notes on Romans 3:23 and Romans 8:6. |
RO6:22 But, now, having been freed from the sin, you have become enslaved to The God
with the fruitage of holiness
– however, the end an everlasting life.
| 336 | Become enslaved to The God: Or, KJV: become servants to God; CON: to the service of God; KNX: become God’s slaves
instead; NEB: bound to the service of God. Slavery to God is liberating. See notes on Romans 8:15-17. Jesus used a similar idea at Matthew 6:24 – a disciple cannot serve two masters. |
| 337 | With the fruitage of holiness: Or, ASV: unto sanctification; CON: your fruit is growth in holiness; TCN: the fruit you reap is an everlasting holiness; MOF: your gain is consecration.
Service to God always produces holiness. More and more the disciple is characterized by Galatians 5:22, 23. |
| 338 |
The end an everlasting life: Or, KJV: the end everlasting life; TCN: the end immortal life; WMS: the final destiny is eternal life. |
RO6:23 For the payment for sin is death;
but, the gracious gift of The God [is] everlasting life
incorporate in Christ Jesus our Master.| 339 | The payment for sin is death: Or, KJV: the wages of sin is death; PME: sin pays
its servants: the wage is death. Death does not pay for sin as if the dead were justified by their death. Death is the result of sin. Compare Genesis 2:17. All will die and then be judged. (Hebrew 9:26) |
| 340 | The gracious gift of The God [is] everlasting life: Or, KJV: the gift of God is eternal life; ASV: free gift. The context here is the Church. (See notes on Matthew 25:46.) |
Summary of Chapter Six
Paul deals with the false notion that one might continue in sin to make grace abound. He uses the metaphors of death, baptism, resurrection, and slavery to illustrate that a Christian should be dead to sin. Baptism in Christ raises the new disciple into
a new life in Christ, no longer a slave to (or, living in) sin.
Using Christ as a comparative example of how a disciple must be dead to sin but alive toward God.
Sin must not be lord and master dominating the fleshly body. The body’s limbs and organs must not be used as tools of wrongdoing. Rather, the mortal body should be used for the righteousness of God. The new disciple presents self to God by a dedication
followed by water immersion. The risen disciple is not under the force and sanctions of the Law of Moses but the merciful grace of God
Paul begins to reach his conclusion and summary. He contrasts from another perspective slavery to sin and righteousness. It was the teaching of Christ that led to obedience resulting in holiness. He exhorts these disciples to slave as hard for righteousness
as they had once for sin.
Ashamed of past conduct, Christians now become slaves of God and His holiness, leading to everlasting life. The payment for sin is death.
Review Questions on Chapter Six
- What is Paul’s question?
- How does Paul show the Christian is dead to sin?
- How has the new Christian been raised to a new life?
- How is Christ death and life and example for Christians?
- To what should we be dead?
- To what should we be alive?
- What could possibly dominate one’s life?
- What should rule over a Christian?
- How should the body with its limbs and organs be used?
- What is said about “law”?
- What questions does Paul asked?
- What two kinds of slavery are there?
- What has led to their obedience?
- To whom should Christians become slaves?
- What quality would this slavery include?
- What is the payment for sin?
|
|
Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
|
