What does Romans 6:12 mean?

Explanation

Romans 6:12 is a call to Christians to resist giving in to sin, even though it is a constant presence in their lives.

The verse acknowledges the reality of sin's influence, but it also affirms the believer's power, through Christ, to overcome it.

This passage tells the followers of Jesus that they shouldn't let sin control their physical bodies, compelling them to follow its desires.

The deeper meaning revolves around sanctification, the process by which believers are gradually transformed to be more like Christ.

The mortal body here represents the earthly, transient part of human existence that is susceptible to sin, and the 'lusts thereof' refer to sinful desires.

Historical Context

Romans is an epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Rome.

It was composed around A.D. 57 when Paul was likely in Corinth. At that time, Rome had a diverse population including Jews and Gentiles. Paul's aim was to instruct both groups in the fundamentals of faith and to address specific issues such as sin, justification, and sanctification.

The concept of sin's dominance would have been familiar to both Jewish readers, in terms of Torah disobedience, and to Gentiles, who would understand it in the broader moral context of the time.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Romans 6:12 speaks to the doctrine of sanctification, wherein believers are called to live holy lives, separated from sin. Different viewpoints might emphasize various aspects:

• Reformed theology stresses the believer's response to God's grace in striving against sin.
• Wesleyan theology might focus on the pursuit of holiness and the believer's growth towards perfect love.
• Liberation theology could interpret the verse as an imperative to fight against societal and structural sins that oppress individuals.

Practical Applications

The teachings of Romans 6:12 can be applied in daily life by:

• Building a habit of resisting temptations and choosing not to let sinful desires dictate one's actions.
• Recognizing that the struggle against sin is ongoing and requires dependence on the Holy Spirit.
• Encouraging accountability among believers, supporting each other to live out this scriptural mandate.

Cross-References

• Romans 12:1 - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
• Galatians 5:16 - "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."

Language Study

In the original Greek, key words include:

• "reign" (βασιλευέτω, basileuetō): to rule, like a king.
• "mortal" (θνητόν, thnēton): subject to death, perishable.
• "lusts" (ἐπιθυμίαις, epithymiais): desires, cravings, longings, especially for what is forbidden.

The command not to let sin "reign" carries royal connotations, suggesting that sin should not be allowed to exercise kingly authority over one's actions.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient myths and religions often personified evil or had deities that represented temptation.

In contrast, in Christian theology, sin is not personified but is a condition or a force that believers must resist. There is a nuance to the Christian approach in dealing with sin, not as an external deity to appease or battle, but an internal struggle to be mastered through divine assistance.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychology and behavioral sciences might view the concept of resisting sin from the standpoint of self-control, habit formation, and neural plasticity.

Understanding how habits form and how they can be changed could lend insight into the psychological mechanisms that support the biblical imperative of resisting sin.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and commentators have weighed in on Romans 6:12:

• John Stott sees it as a practical outworking of doctrinal truth, involved in yielding oneself to God.
• F.F.

Bruce points out the contrast between living under sin's dominion and living under grace.

• Douglas Moo stresses the need for believers to realize their union with Christ in his death and resurrection as the basis for resisting sin's demands.