RSV ~ Romans 6 Notes

Rom 6:1-23 | ISB Notes

Paul addresses a potential misunderstanding: If our sins let loose a flood of divine grace (5:20), then why not continue in sin to unleash ever more grace? Such logic betrays the very purpose of grace, which is to forgive us of past sins and to assist us in avoiding future ones. For Paul, our liberty in Christ is not a license to sin (Gal 5:13).

Rom 6:2 | ISB Notes

By no means!: A strenuous objection voiced often in Romans (3:4, 31; 6:15; 7:7; 9:14; 11:1).

died to sin: The baptized are freed from the bondage of guilt and so die to their former life apart from Christ.

Rom 6:4 | ISB Notes

by baptism into death: Baptism joins us to Christ crucified and risen, so that united with his death, our sins are put to death, and united with his rising, our souls are filled with life (4:25). Paul is alluding to the liturgy of Baptism, where the recipient is submerged in water as a body is buried in a grave, only to rise again to a new life with God (CCC 537, 628, 1214).

Rom 6:6 | ISB Notes

our former man: The expression “old man” is used elsewhere in Eph 4:22 and Col 3:9.

crucified with him: Paul makes a personal comment to this effect at Gal 2:20.

Rom 6:7 | ISB Notes

is freed from sin: Literally, “is justified from sin” (CCC 1990).

See word study: Justified at 2:13.

Rom 6:9 | ISB Notes

never die again: Because Christ destroyed death by his own death, his risen humanity is for ever victorious over death (CCC 1085).

Rom 6:12 | ISB Notes

Let not sin … reign: Sin is like a tyrant that orders our members into actions of wickedness. This enemy is to be fought, renounced, and subdued through the Spirit (8:13).

Rom 6:14 | ISB Notes

under grace: The new position of the believer, who can master the urges of sin with the assistance of God. This inward strength to suppress our fallen inclinations was a grace not yet available to Israel living under the yoke of the Law (7:18).

Rom 6:16 | ISB Notes

obedient slaves: It would be absurd for a slave, recently purchased to serve a new master (righteousness), to continue to serve the old one (sin). The first master leads to destruction and death (6:23), and the new master to sanctification and life (6:22).

righteousness: A baptismal gift (5:17) as well as a future hope (Gal 5:5). Paul here refers to the righteous status that comes with the final justification of the saints at the Judgment (2:13).

Rom 6:17 | ISB Notes

the standard of teaching: Possibly a baptismal creed recited and accepted by the Romans. Paul smiles at the news of their obedience to this standard (16:19).

Rom 6:19 | ISB Notes

speaking in human terms: A mild apology for explaining Christian conversion in terms of commercial slave trading. There are obvious limits to the analogy, but Paul wants to ensure that his teaching is well understood.

sanctification: Or, “holiness”. It is a gift received in Baptism that gradually increases as the Spirit penetrates our hearts and lives over time (8:13-14).

See word study: Sanctified at 1 Cor 6:11.

Rom 6:23 | ISB Notes

the wages of sin: Death is the payment for service to sin, but eternal life is the gift that comes through Christ.