What does Romans 6:2 mean?

Explanation

Romans 6:2 is part of a larger argument made by the Apostle Paul regarding the nature of a Christian's new life in Christ.

Paul, addressing believers in Rome, responds to a potential question or criticism.

If grace abounds when sin increases (as stated in Romans 5:20), should Christians continue in sin in order to experience more grace? Paul's emphatic answer is "God forbid," a strong negation in the King James Version (KJV), expressing moral outrage at the thought.

The phrase "dead to sin" indicates a fundamental change in the believer's relationship with sin.

Before coming to faith in Christ, individuals are conceived of as "alive to sin," meaning that sin has power over them and they are ensnared in its influence.

Through Christ's work on the cross and a believer's union with Him in faith, that old relationship to sin is broken.

Believers are now "dead to sin," signifying that sin's power over them is nullified.

"Live any longer therein" refers to the notion of continuing a sinful lifestyle. Paul argues that if believers have died to sin, it is inconceivable that they would continue to live under its dominion. They are called to a life of holiness and newness in Christ.

Historical Context

Romans was likely written by Paul in A.D. 57 during his third missionary journey, while he was in Greece, possibly in Corinth. The Roman church consisted of both Jewish and Gentile converts, and one of the major themes throughout the letter is the unity and equality of these groups in Christ.

During the time of its writing, Rome was the epicenter of the empire, characterized by a plethora of religions, cultures, and philosophies. The new Christian community within Rome faced many challenges, including misunderstandings about the implications of God's grace through Christ.

Some may have misconstrued grace as a license to continue in sin. Paul's letter aims to correct such misunderstandings and lay down foundational Christian theology.

Theological Insights

The verse contains several important theological points. Firstly, there is the concept of "dying to sin," which indicates a radical transformation of identity and allegiance for a Christian.

It suggests not just a moral improvement but a fundamental change in the believer's spiritual state.

Secondly, Paul's rhetorical question stresses that it would be antithetical for a Christian to willingly remain in a sinful lifestyle.

This reflects an understanding of sanctification, the process of becoming more like Christ, that involves both the change in legal standing before God (justification) and the ongoing spiritual growth and struggle against sin.

Various theological viewpoints underscore different aspects of this change. Reformed theology, for example, would emphasize the sovereignty of God in effecting this change, while Arminian theology might highlight the believer's response in cooperating with God's grace.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse suggests that one's actions and lifestyle should be consistent with their new identity in Christ. A believer should not intentionally engage in or rationalize sinful behaviors. This has implications for ethical decision-making, personal holiness, and spiritual growth.

Living out Romans 6:2 means continually turning away from sin while pursuing righteousness, driven by the understanding that one's allegiance is no longer to sin, but to God.

This could translate into practical steps such as accountability in a community, pursuing spiritual disciplines, and actively resisting temptation.

Cross-References

• Romans 6:11: "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
• Galatians 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
• Colossians 3:3: "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
• 1 Peter 2:24: "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the phrase translated as "God forbid" is "μὴ γένοιτο" (mē genoito), which is a strong aorist middle optative, used to express the rejection of an idea as unthinkable or something to be morally outraged by.

The term "dead" is translated from "νεκροὺς" (nekrous), an adjective in the accusative masculine plural which signifies being lifeless or ineffective in relation to something, in this case, sin.

"To sin" comes from the word "ἁμαρτία" (hamartia), which means missing the mark or falling short, in a moral or ethical sense.

"Live" comes from the Greek verb "ζῆν" (zēn), present active infinitive of "ζάω" (zaō), which implies continuance or ongoing action.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of dying to an old way of life and being reborn into a new one has parallels in various religious and philosophical systems.

In many ancient rites, such as the Eleusinian mysteries, initiates underwent symbolic acts of death and rebirth.

In Buddhism, there is the notion of dying to the self, or ego, to achieve enlightenment.

However, what is unique to Christianity in the context of Romans 6:2 is the personal transformation that is intrinsically linked to the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychology has concepts that echo the transformation spoken of in Romans 6:2, such as cognitive restructuring in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), where individuals learn to recognize and change destructive thought patterns that influence behavior.

This transformation involves a form of "dying" to old, unhealthy ways of thinking and behaving.

Neuroscience also discusses the possibility of neuroplasticity, where the brain changes in response to learning and experience, which can be seen as a scientific parallel to the concept of humans having the capacity for significant change.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Romans often emphasize the radical nature of the Christian transformation depicted in Romans 6:2:

• According to theologian John Stott, in his commentary "The Message of Romans", this passage highlights the incongruity of living in sin when one has died to it.

Christians are to live a new life, not because they must, but because they may and indeed, they should, considering their new identity in Christ.

• Douglas Moo, in "The NIV Application Commentary: Romans", points out that Paul is not suggesting that Christians never sin, but instead arguing that the unbroken pattern of sin that characterizes non-Christians must not dominate a Christian's life.

• F.F. Bruce, in his commentary "The Epistle to the Romans", views the expression "dead to sin" as indicative of the believer's total break with the dominion of sin, which was effected by the death and resurrection of Christ and is to be realized in the believer's life by faith.