Introduction

Romans 6 answers the charge that grace encourages sin. If salvation is free, why not sin freely? Paul reveals that grace doesn't just pardon sin—it breaks sin's power through union with Christ in His death and resurrection.

Dead to Sin (verses 1-7)

"Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" Through baptism we were buried with Christ into death, so that just as He was raised, we too may live a new life. Our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with—that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

• Death to Sin: Not just forgiveness but actual death to sin's reign
• Baptismal Union: Buried and raised with Christ
• Old Self Crucified: The enslaved person we were has died

Alive to God (verses 8-14)

If we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with Him. Death no longer has mastery over the risen Christ; He died to sin once for all and lives to God. Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Don't let sin reign in your mortal body. Don't offer your body's parts to sin as instruments of wickedness, but offer yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your body's parts as instruments of righteousness. Sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law but under grace.

• Reckoning: Count yourselves dead to sin—faith appropriates reality
• Don't Let: Sin's reign requires our cooperation to continue
• Under Grace: Grace empowers what law could only command

Slaves of Righteousness (verses 15-23)

Shall we sin because we're under grace? By no means! You are slaves to the one you obey—whether sin leading to death or obedience leading to righteousness. Once you were slaves to sin; now you are slaves to righteousness. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• No Neutral Ground: Everyone serves a master—sin or righteousness
• Different Outcomes: Sin pays wages of death; God gives the gift of life
• Real Freedom: Slavery to righteousness is true liberty

Key Takeaways

• Grace Transforms: It doesn't just pardon but empowers holy living
• Union with Christ: His death and resurrection become ours
• Active Faith: Count yourselves dead to sin; don't offer yourselves to it
• Gift, Not Wages: Eternal life is given, never earned

Reflection Questions

• Have you ever treated grace as permission to sin? How does this chapter challenge that?
• What does it mean practically to "count yourself dead to sin"?
• What parts of your body have you been offering to sin that need to be offered to righteousness?