[1] What, then, shall we say? Shall we remain in sin, in order that sin might abound? [2] Not at all! We have died to sin, how shall we still live in it? [3] Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into King Jesus were baptize into his death? [4] Therefore, we were buried in him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, likewise we also might walk in newness of life.
After stating in Romans 5.20 'Where sin abounded, grace superabounded' Paul anticipates a question that may arise. What is the question? It would seem the reasoning could go like this: if sin increases grace, and grace gives glory to God, then we could glorify God by sinning more and receiving more grace. To this line of reasoning Paul begins his response in 6.1-4.
Paul states the anticipated question? 'Shall we remain in sin, in order that grace may abound? Paul's answer is a resounding 'No!' Then he goes on in 2b-3 to give an initial reason for his answer. Why can't we continue in sin? Because we have died to sin. How is it that we have died to sin? Those who are baptized into Christ Jesus are baptized into his death (stated in the form of a question in the text). What Paul does here is link the individuals conversion to Christ as a time of transfer of realm, which is pictured here as death and life. The irony here is powerful and astounding. Those born into this life, though we live physically, we live in death. And because of death we sin (Romans 5.12). But those who convert to King Jesus, they are included into the death of Jesus, through baptism, in order that just as Jesus was raise from the dead, those who belong to him will right now walk in newness of life.
There are a few pieces that I think deserve mention here. First, Paul it seems is talking of baptism not in a sacramental way, but in a way that corresponds to the pattern described in Acts. The pattern is that those who repent or believe in Jesus are baptized into his name (this is in keeping with what Jesus says to the disciples in Matthew 28.18-20). Thus, it would seem, Paul is using baptism as a way to signify those who belong to Christ, because the initial and public step of conversion to Jesus is baptism in his name. Thus, baptism is highlighted here, but what Paul seems to have in mind is that baptism refers to conversion.
Next, what is interesting here is that Paul's talk about Jesus' resurrection is not focused on the believer's resurrection in the last day, as it is in other places (1 Cor 15). Rather, Paul's focus is on the already aspect of the resurrection, which is that those who belong to Jesus, who was raised by the glory of the Father, already experience the last day resurrection now, in that we walk in newness of life. Thus, Paul has given at this point one good and compelling reason why those in Christ must not continue on in sin. The reason is because the believer already has the power of resurrection strengthening him not to remain under the reign of sin and death.
After stating in Romans 5.20 'Where sin abounded, grace superabounded' Paul anticipates a question that may arise. What is the question? It would seem the reasoning could go like this: if sin increases grace, and grace gives glory to God, then we could glorify God by sinning more and receiving more grace. To this line of reasoning Paul begins his response in 6.1-4.
Paul states the anticipated question? 'Shall we remain in sin, in order that grace may abound? Paul's answer is a resounding 'No!' Then he goes on in 2b-3 to give an initial reason for his answer. Why can't we continue in sin? Because we have died to sin. How is it that we have died to sin? Those who are baptized into Christ Jesus are baptized into his death (stated in the form of a question in the text). What Paul does here is link the individuals conversion to Christ as a time of transfer of realm, which is pictured here as death and life. The irony here is powerful and astounding. Those born into this life, though we live physically, we live in death. And because of death we sin (Romans 5.12). But those who convert to King Jesus, they are included into the death of Jesus, through baptism, in order that just as Jesus was raise from the dead, those who belong to him will right now walk in newness of life.
There are a few pieces that I think deserve mention here. First, Paul it seems is talking of baptism not in a sacramental way, but in a way that corresponds to the pattern described in Acts. The pattern is that those who repent or believe in Jesus are baptized into his name (this is in keeping with what Jesus says to the disciples in Matthew 28.18-20). Thus, it would seem, Paul is using baptism as a way to signify those who belong to Christ, because the initial and public step of conversion to Jesus is baptism in his name. Thus, baptism is highlighted here, but what Paul seems to have in mind is that baptism refers to conversion.
Next, what is interesting here is that Paul's talk about Jesus' resurrection is not focused on the believer's resurrection in the last day, as it is in other places (1 Cor 15). Rather, Paul's focus is on the already aspect of the resurrection, which is that those who belong to Jesus, who was raised by the glory of the Father, already experience the last day resurrection now, in that we walk in newness of life. Thus, Paul has given at this point one good and compelling reason why those in Christ must not continue on in sin. The reason is because the believer already has the power of resurrection strengthening him not to remain under the reign of sin and death.
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