Rom. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom. 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
The fact that our justification, being declared righteous, is a result of faith has been established in the previous chapters. Because of that justification, which is possible only because of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, we can now have peace with God. As I have said before, I love the Greek definition for that peace—to be set at one again. We can finally experience true fellowship with our Creator, the fellowship that was intended for us from the beginning.
I found a quote from Calvin regarding this peace: “Peace = tranquility of conscience.” The more I think about that statement, the more I like it. No matter how sinful and wicked I may have been in the past, I can fellowship with God with no guilt feelings or feelings of inadequacy; my conscience should be clear. For when the Father looks at me, He sees me through the blood of His Son—the blood that covers all my sin. He sees me clothed in the righteousness of Jesus.
2Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
“wherein we stand” – This represents our position. To stand is to “abide, establish, hold up, staunch, firm, fixed.” Our position is firm and established. How is this position maintained? Through the grace of God. The Greek for grace references “a divine influence on the heart.” It is God’s work in us that makes our position firm and secure. Even when we fail, our position in Christ doesn’t change.
Because of our standing in grace, we can now “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” The word for hope reflects a confident expectation. One of Webster’s definitions for glory states “The presence of the Divine Being; the manifestations of the divine nature and favor to the blessed in heaven; celestial honor; heaven.” My understanding would be that we can now confidently look forward to eternity in the presence of God and all that is associated with His presence.
Rom. 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Rom. 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Rom. 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Because of our secure standing in the grace of God, we can also “glory in tribulations.” The Greek for glory also includes “rejoice.” Why would tribulation cause us to rejoice? Because we understand that tribulation is allowed in our lives to produce good qualities—patience, experience (proven character), hope, and confidence in the love of God. Tribulation (affliction, persecution, trouble) is a purifying force in our lives, a refining fire. Job was aware of this truth.
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
“hope maketh not ashamed” – The Greek for ashamed includes “disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush:—confound, dishonour…” This phrase states that our confident expectation that results from God’s grace at work in our lives will not be dishonored or disappointed. God’s promise is sure.
I found a quote in JFB that I really like regarding “hope.”
“Hope,” in the New Testament sense of the term, is not a lower degree of faith or assurance (as many now say, I hope for heaven, but am not sure of it); but invariably means “the confident expectation of future good.” It presupposes faith; and what faith assures us will be ours, hope accordingly expects.
Another reason for our hope/confident expectation is because of the love of God that is “shed abroad” in our heart. The Greek for that phrase includes “pour forth, gush out, spill.” God fills our heart to overflowing with His love through the Holy Ghost, His gift to us.
1 Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
2 Corinthians 1:21–22 “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
Ephesians 1:13–14 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
1 John 3:24 “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
Rom. 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
“yet” = still (of time or degree)
“due time” = set or proper time
My paraphrase – At a predetermined time, the time considered perfect by God, when mankind was still helpless/without strength to deliver himself from the bondage of sin, Christ, the Messiah, died as the sin sacrifice for the ungodly/wicked.
The question comes to mind, “What made the time that Christ came the right time? Why didn’t God just send His Son right away after man fell into sin?” These are questions far too deep for me. Man had been created in perfection with a perfect environment. Man chose to disobey God regarding the one thing that he was forbidden. I think it was important for man to experience the consequences of his sin. God is a much better parent than we are. Our tendency is to protect our children from the consequences of sin. One who has experienced the consequences of sin is much more likely to appreciate the gift of forgiveness. Suffice it to say that when man had proved to be depraved, at the perfect time in accordance with God’s plan from before the creation, Jesus came to earth as a man to become the only acceptable sacrifice for our sin by living a sinless life of obedience to the Father. That’s as far as my little brain will go.
“the ungodly” = every person ever born on planet earth
When I hear people talk about “limited atonement,” I just have a real hard time making it fit with verses like this one. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for ALL, although not all would trust Him in faith as their Savior. I don’t think the Holy Spirit was trying to trick us with the scripture. It was written for you and me---not just the scholars.
Rom. 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
Rom. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
“scarcely” = with difficulty, hardly
I think Paul is encouraging the people to think about Jesus’ sacrifice and how amazing it was. It’s hard to imagine someone dying to save someone else unless that person was a good person; in fact, it’s hard to imagine someone giving their life except for an especially good person, although that’s a little more understandable.
Obviously, this is a commentary on mankind in general. Thankfully, there are wonderful examples of heroism and self-sacrifice for others even today as was vividly exampled for us on 9-11-01. I would even tend to think that there is more likelihood of that type of sacrifice happening since the death of Jesus because of His example.
Paul now emphasizes that Christ died for us while we were still in sin; there was nothing good about us. There is a huge difference in choosing to die for someone “worthy” of dying for and dying for someone who is obviously unworthy. We can question the motives of modern day heroes, but we cannot question the motive of God the Father and His Son Jesus in their gift of sacrifice and provision for our salvation. It was simply an act of love for the unlovable.
Rom. 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
I think Paul is saying that since Jesus provided for our justification by willingly coming to earth as a man and sacrificing Himself, shedding His blood in death, for our sin, He will surely deliver us from the wrath of God that our sins so justly deserve. It is only because of Jesus’ obedience to Him, that a righteous God the Father will deliver us from everlasting punishment, the penalty for sin.
As I read this through again, I think it is important to note that God promises to save the believer from His wrath—not just the wrath of hell, but the wrath that will be poured out on planet earth during the “day of the Lord”—the time that God will expend His wrath on the ungodly.
Isaiah 13:9 & 11 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it….And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Rom. 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
“reconcile” = Greek: to change mutually; Webster: To cause to be friendly again; to conciliate anew; to restore to friendship; to bring back to harmony….
Reminder – Paul is talking to those who have been justified, declared righteous, through their faith in Jesus. They are no longer enemies of God; they are His servants, His friends; their fellowship has been restored.
Paul makes an argument of logic in this verse. If Jesus’ death reconciled us to God at a time when we were His enemies, then it stands to reason that through His life, His resurrection, we who are now His friends will also experience life with Him.
Salvation speaks of deliverance. Deliverance from what? God’s wrath.
Rom. 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
I like the phrasing from the Complete Jewish Bible for this verse: And not only will we be delivered in the future, but we are boasting about God right now, because he has acted through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, through whom we have already received that reconciliation.
“atonement” = restore to divine favor……..at-one-ment
Man is the one that needed reconciliation—not God. Man is the one that chose to break fellowship with His Creator. Because of the obedience of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross, we can be restored to divine favor, reconciled to God. That is cause for joy.
“joy” = Webster: The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; pleasurable feelings or emotions caused by success, good fortune, and the like, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exhilaration of spirits; delight.
Rom. 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
“one man” = Adam, the very first human
The world in verse 12 is a reference to earth and its inhabitants. As discussed in chapter 4, it was through Adam that sin became a part of the nature of man. It is through the seed of man that the sin nature is passed to every other human being. We are born in sin, and God’s punishment for sin is death. There was no death before sin.
Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Man was not the only part of creation impacted by his sin. The ground was cursed.
Genesis 3:17-18 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
In chapter 8 of Romans we learn that the whole creation is groaning and travailing because of the curse of sin.
Romans 8:21–22 “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
One commentary reminded me of the verses in Hebrews that help explain how a man’s descendants are considered as acting through the actions of their ancestors.
Hebrews 7:9-10 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Adam was the father of the human race. All the people that would ever live descended from the seed/sperm in his loins. When he sinned, we effectively participated in that sin.
My thoughts jump to the true origin of sin, which I believe is Satan. The difference is that Satan is part of a separate creation; he was an angel of great position. He was the first created being to rebel against the Creator, to sin. One can’t help but wonder if man would have rebelled against God apart from the temptation of Satan. As I have continued in my studies of the scripture, I have come to the conclusion that the original “earth” was impacted as a result of Satan’s sin. (See notes on Genesis 1.) That being said, the present earth was created for man as a perfect home by a loving Creator. Adam, the first man, chose to disobey God. As the perfect human placed in a perfect environment, he represents all of mankind; not one of us would have chosen differently. The cool thing is that none of this was a surprise to God; He had a plan in place before creating the first thing because He knew the actions of His created beings before He created them. The questions now become harder, and I claim Isaiah 55:
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Guzik made a thought-provoking comment on this section: “It is fair to be made righteous by the work of another man only if we are also made sinners by the work of another man. If we aren’t made sinners by Adam, then it isn’t fair for us to be made righteous by Jesus.”
Rom. 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Rom. 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Sin was in the world before the law was given. The law was given to reveal sin. Transgression is an intentional act of sin, of going against God’s law. Most people think of the Ten Commandments in reference to the law as referenced in verse 14. The truth is that man did recognize things as right and wrong or just and unjust in their relationship to God and each other before the law as evidenced by the lives of Cain and Abel. God is a righteous God; all men from the time of Adam died (excepting Enoch) because they were sinners.
Thought from Chuck Smith: “We aren’t sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners.”
“them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression” - Both Adam and Moses were primary messengers of God’s teaching and His expectations of mankind. God’s instructions to Adam were verbal. God personally instructed both Adam and Moses. He even gave Moses a personally written copy of the law to share with His people, and through His people, the rest of the world. Paul seems to be making a difference between deliberately disobeying God’s Word vs. man’s interpretation of God’s Word.
Adam was the example/model/type of “him that was to come”—the man Jesus. Just as Adam was created with a spirit in perfect harmony with that of God, Jesus was born through the seed of the woman as a man with a spirit in perfect harmony with God. He did not inherit the sin nature of Adam. He inherited the nature of His Father God, just as Adam had been gifted at the time of his creation.
Rom. 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
The truth of this verse is echoed by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians.
1Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Paul starts this verse with a statement and then goes on to explain that statement. There is a big difference in the sin of Adam and the gift of grace through Jesus and the impact of each on man. This doesn’t make sense at first reading—Adam’s sin brought death upon all men, and God’s gift of grace through Jesus makes it possible for all men to have eternal life. Paul uses the word “many” in reference to the actual response of man. “Many” will choose to reject God and “die” in their sin, and “many” will choose to accept God’s gift of salvation by grace in Jesus Christ and “live.” In his letter to the Corinthians the statement is made in context to those whose faith would result in resurrection to new life in Jesus.
Rom. 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
Rom. 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Rom. 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Rom. 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Paul now goes into an explanation of the differences in the actions of Adam and Jesus.
Verse 16 is making a contrast between Adam’s one sin that resulted in death for all men and the free gift of salvation provided through Jesus as a sacrifice for many offences/sins (all sins committed by man from Adam until the time that eternity begins).
Verse 17 brings in a comparison of the death brought upon man by Adam’s sin and the life that results in the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness provided through Jesus Christ. Both Adam and Jesus acted in ways that had direct impact on all men. As a result of Adam’s sin, all men became sinners and through men innumerable sins were committed. “Much more” was the impact of the righteous obedience of Christ. His obedience provided for the justification of countless sinners and their innumerable sins. Piper made the point (my understanding of his words) that condemnation is a natural/just response to sin. Grace, however, is a “much more” response from God to provide for the sinner. It is not natural; it is a supernatural response of a loving Creator.
“they which receive” – This phrase implies that all will not receive. It also implies that there is a choice that must be made by the individual.
Verse 18 is another of those verses that really speak against the idea of limited atonement. Adam’s sin resulted in condemnation (a guilty verdict) for all men. Jesus’ perfect life of obedience to God resulted in the provision of justification (a declaration of innocence) for all who will accept that gift.
John Piper dwelt on the reason Paul emphasized that the action of one man (Adam) resulted in sin for all men. It helps us understand how the action of one man (Jesus) was sufficient to provide justification for all men.
Verse 19 - One man’s, Adam’s, disobedience established “many” as sinners; one man’s, Jesus’, obedience provided for “many” to be declared righteous. I wonder why the Spirit inspired Paul to use the word many instead of all in reference to Adam’s sin resulting in the sinful condition of man? It is sad that though Jesus made provision for all, His gift will only be accepted by many.
Adam made a choice to sin based on selfish motivation; Jesus made an unselfish choice to die for our/my sin because of His love for the Father and for us/me.
I think this is a good place to reiterate that all men of faith before the time of Jesus were justified because of Jesus just as surely as those of us since the time of Jesus. Their faith was in God’s provision for them through the old covenant just as our faith is in God’s provision for us through the new covenant. The fulfillment of both covenants was accomplished through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Hebrews 9:14-15 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Galatians 3:6-9 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Galatians 3:26-29 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Rom. 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
When God gave the law to man through Moses, He was giving us a standard by which to measure ourselves, a method through which to identify sin in our lives (as we learned in chapter 3).
Romans 3:20 … for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Through comparison to God’s stated standards, the fact that our lives abound with sin is revealed. The giving of the law was a loving act by God. We can only appreciate the value of the gift in comparison to our need for it. Jesus established this principle when explaining what inspires love and then making application to the woman who washed His feet with her tears in repentance of her sin.
Luke 7:41-43 & 47 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged….Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
It takes much grace to provide for much sin, and God’s grace is available in abundance to the sinner—far more than He actually needs. Our need is to have our sins forgiven; His grace provides for us to go beyond that forgiveness and empowers us to live in obedience to Him and earn heavenly rewards.
Rom. 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Death is the appointed end for the sinner; there is no other option for the man who chooses to yield to sin. On the other hand, eternal life awaits the sinner declared justified/righteous through Jesus Christ our Lord by the grace of God. Grace overcomes sin. How do we access this grace? Through faith (which takes us back to the first two verses of the chapter).
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom. 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom. 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
These thoughts are a continuation of the context in the previous chapter. Paul is basically saying, “Based on what we now know, should we continue to practice sin in order to allow grace to be shown in abundance?”
Calvin made some statements that I like in answer to this question.
“God forbid that the grace of God would nourish our vices.”
“Medicine is not a feeder of the disease which it destroys.”
It’s warped logic to say that we need to sin in order to reveal the abundance of God’s grace. God’s grace is a “divine influence on the heart.” A divine influence on the heart leads one away from sin—not to sin more.
“God forbid” = a very emphatic NO.
As a new creation in Christ, the believer is dead to sin. He now has the Holy Spirit residing in him. That Holy Spirit does not encourage you to sin; He empowers you to overcome sin.
1Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you…
1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Rom. 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom. 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Paul is stating that baptism is a picture of our choosing to identify with Christ in His death and resurrection. Christ died as the sin-bearer and was raised from the dead by the Father to new life. When we are baptized, we are symbolically burying our sin nature and choosing to walk in newness of life in obedience to God. In Christ we become a new creation.
2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Rom. 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom. 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom. 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
“planted together” = buried as one—Greek: closely united to
“destroyed” = rendered useless, make of no effect, abolished
Our position and inheritance is in Christ. He examples what is true for the believer. “Our old man” is a reference to the sinful man we were before salvation. Through faith in Jesus we, in essence, crucify/kill that old man.
Thought from Chuck Smith: “Crucifixion is a slow and torturous death; the flesh doesn’t die easily.
As a new creature with new life in Christ, represented by His resurrection, we are no longer servants to sin. Our new position in Christ empowers us through the Spirit to have the victory over sin in our lives. We have been freed from sin and its power over us.
John 8:34-36 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
“freed” = declared just or innocent, righteous (justified—just as if I had never sinned)
Rom. 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Rom. 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Again, Paul uses logic to make his argument. If you accept that you have died with Christ, it follows that we shall also live with Christ. Christ was raised from the dead never to die again; death has no power over Him. That brings up a new argument for the security of the believer as far as I am concerned. If we are in Christ and death no longer has power over Him, it no longer has power over me.
Rom. 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
“died unto sin once” - I think this phrase is significant especially to the Jewish believer. The sacrificial system looking forward to Jesus required continual sacrifices to maintain right standing with God. Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself was sufficient for all peoples of all times and will never have to be repeated.
“he liveth unto God” – That seems a strange statement to make about Jesus. He always lived in obedience to and in fellowship with God the Father. The emphasis I think is on the fact that He chose to become my/our sin on the cross, and at that time He was forsaken by the Father; He lost fellowship with the Father for the first and only time ever in His existence.
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
As a man, Jesus had to deal with temptation just as we as believers do. The difference is that He always lived through the empowerment of the Spirit—just as we are supposed to do.
Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Rom. 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
“reckon” = conclude, reason, think
We reckon ourselves dead to sin when we respond to sin as a dead man would. On the other hand, if we reckon ourselves “alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord,” we should live as Jesus would want us to live. In fact, because we are His temple, His dwelling place, we should live just as He would live—make the choices He would make, do the things He would do, say the things He would say, think the thoughts He would think, etc.
Paul expressed this thought to the Galatians as follows:
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.
Rom. 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
“mortal body” = the physical body subject to physical death
Paul continues to pound home his point. As believers who have been justified before God with new life in Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin; and we should not give in to the lusts of sin. The Greek for lusts is quite enlightening: “a longing (especially for what is forbidden).”
I was listening to John Piper recently, and he presents this verse as describing our bodies as a throne that sin desires to possess. It is our choice as to allowing sin to get victory in our life. He also makes the good point that our desires—i.e., food, drink, sex, etc.—aren’t inherently bad. They become evil when we yield to their influence to produce unrighteousness in our life.
Rom. 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
We are to be yielded to God as instruments of righteousness. This is a choice on our part. Frankly, the choices we make indicate to whom we are submitting as Lord in our life. One of the definitions in Webster for yield stood out to me: “to make over to one who has a claim or right.” Sin no longer reigns (cf verses 6 & 9) or has authority over us. Through the empowerment of the Spirit we can overcome sin. If we yield to sin we are granting it a position of authority it no longer possesses.
I thought it was interesting that the Greek for instruments indicates an offensive weapon—not a defensive weapon. An offensive weapon is used to attack and accomplish the objective of the one possessing it. We are to use our bodies offensively for the cause of righteousness, to accomplish the purposes of God.
Rom. 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
William MacDonald (Believer’s Bible Commentary) made a statement that I like in reference to this thought: “The law tells you what to do, but doesn’t give you the power to do it. God’s grace enables you to live as an overcomer.”
Another quote I have in some personal notes is attributed to Denney – “It is not restraint, but inspiration that liberates from sin; not Mt. Sinai, but Mt. Calvary which makes saints.”
What does it mean to be “under the law?” It means that you are living under a curse.
Nehemiah 10:29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;
Daniel 9:11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
Galatians 3:10 & 13 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them….Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree…
That curse is spelled out specifically for the people of Israel in Leviticus 26 and in Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God….
The commandments of God = the law.
What does it mean to be “under grace?” It means to be under divine influence, to have the empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Webster defines the grace of God as:
(Theol.) The divine favor toward man; the mercy of God, as distinguished from His justice; also, any benefits His mercy imparts; divine love or pardon; a state of acceptance with God; enjoyment of the divine favor.
Paul adds to the answer in his letter to the Corinthians.
2Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work….
And to the Ephesians:
Ephesians 1:6-7 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace…
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
And to the Thessalonians:
2Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace….
Spurgeon gives food for thought on this section: “God has so changed your nature by His grace that when you sin, you shall be like a fish on dry land; you shall be out of your element and long to get into a right state again.”
Rom. 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Paul doesn’t let up; he continues to hammer home his point. Being under grace does not give us a license to sin! The grace of God doesn’t lead us to sin; it leads us to live godly lives.
Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world…
Rom. 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
I am reminded of the old saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” Your actions reveal whom you consider to be your master. If you yield to sin, your master is sin; if you yield to obedience in righteousness, your master is God. Choosing sin as your master results in death; choosing God as your master results in eternal life.
James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
1John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Rom. 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Rom. 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Paul gives thanks to God that the church at Rome had chosen to reject sin as their master and to become servants of righteousness. When this body of believers was taught the truth of the gospel, they responded from the heart, and their actions, their way of life proved it. This is really the truth that is at the heart of the epistle of James.
James 2:17-22 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
A true servant of God will become a servant of righteousness. John Piper stated it this way: “Justification by faith does not produce Christians who are cavalier about sin. It makes us dead set against sin in our own lives.”
Rom. 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
“after the manner of men” – in a way that is easy to understand
Paul is using the language of slave and master to explain the truth; truth that is illustrated by things that are a normal part of our life is sometimes easier to understand.
“infirmity” = weakness, frailty, feebleness of mind or body
Having served sin for so long, it takes time to develop spiritual maturity and understanding. Regarding the mind, Paul doesn’t want to speak assuming understanding they did not possess. He wants to present the truth clearly. Regarding the body, Paul knows that a past lifestyle that has catered to the flesh causes great struggle in the life of the believer. He addresses that very struggle in the next chapter.
“as…….even so” = a comparison of time past to the present
“uncleanness” = impurity (physically or morally)
“iniquity” = lawlessness, transgression of law, wickedness
Paul is stating that in the past, before accepting Jesus as Savior, these people had used their bodies in acts of impurity and wickedness that just led them into greater sin; they had yielded to sin as the master in their life. Paul is encouraging them to now make their bodies “servants to righteousness unto holiness.” He will expand on this thought in chapter 12.
Rom. 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
This verse and verse 18 are like opposite sides of the same coin.
Freedom from sin = servant of righteousness
Servant of sin = free from righteousness
Rom. 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Rom. 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Sinners aren’t concerned with doing what is right; they are basically concerned with gratifying the flesh. Shame is the result of realizing how we have acted as servants of sin. The believer has come to the point of realizing that the penalty of sin is death, and he wants no part of it. He has chosen to become a servant of God and be set free from sin. His life now reflects choices and actions that cause him no shame. He is producing “fruit unto holiness” and can look forward to “everlasting life.”
What is “fruit unto holiness?”
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance….
Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
This is the process of sanctification—becoming more like Jesus, more holy. This is a work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we speak of sin resulting in death, it is more than just the death of the physical body; it includes the separation of your being from the presence of God forever.
Eternal life is not just living forever; it’s living forever in the presence of God and experiencing all that is holy and righteous that is associated with His presence.
There are only two options—death and life.
Death is what you earn by yielding to sin as your master.
Eternal life can only be attained by accepting God’s gift that was made possible through Jesus Christ our Lord; you can’t earn it.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Thought from Chuck Smith: “Death, sin and the flesh are always related. Spirit, righteousness and life are always related. This is God’s ordained order.”
Again, I thought John Piper expressed it well. (My paraphrasing)
Sin and God = slavemasters
Sin pays wages that are deserved—earned.
God gives a gift that is undeserved—grace/mercy.
Wages deplete life (your time, effort, etc.) and have no eternal benefit. God’s gift will allow us to experience the fullness of His love and blessing for time without end.