Dead to Sin, Alive to God-1

Rom. 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Having proved the sinfulness of both Jews and Gentiles and that both must be redeemed alike by Christ through faith and grace, Paul now takes up the argument of the divine method of dealing with sin and the secret of a victorious holy life (Romans 6:1-8:39). The questions come up that if salvation is free and apart from works-if the more heinous the sins the more abundant the grace to pardon, then may we not go on in sin so that the grace of God may become magnified? God forbid.

what...

τίς

tis

tis

Probably emphatic of some or any person or object; an interrogitive pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions): - every man, how (much), + no (-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where ([-by, -fore, -of, -unto, -with, -withal]), whether, which, who (-m, -se), why.

shall we say...

ἐρέω

ereō

er-eh'-o

Probably a fuller form of through the idea of pouring forth; an alternate for to speak or say in certain tenses; to utter, that is, speak or say: - call, say, speak (of), tell.

then?...

οὖν

oun

oon

Apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjugationally) accordingly: - and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.

God’s provided righteousness involves more than declaring believers righteous on the basis of faith. In Romans the first clue to this fact is in Rom. 5:5 : “God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” The presence of the Holy Spirit within believers and God’s reproduction of an attribute of His (His love) in believers speak of their new natures and their new lives. This new kind of life, with the sanctifying ministry of the Holy Spirit, is now discussed at length by Paul in chapters 6-8.

Shall we continue...

ἐπιμένω

epimenō

ep-ee-men'-o

From as a relation of distribution, that is, over, upon and to stay abide; to stay over, that is, remain (figuratively persevere): - abide (in), continue (in), tarry.

in sin,...

ἁμαρτία

hamartia

ham-ar-tee'-ah

From to miss the mark; sin (properly abstract): - offense, sin (-ful).

that...

ἵνα

hina

hin'-ah

Probably from the same as the former part of him (through the demonstrative idea; compare definite article the); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result): - albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.

Ground of sanctification

The questions that open this section demand reflection. A review of God’s provision by grace through Jesus Christ should elicit praise to God. But the teaching on God’s justification of sinful people (3:21-5:21) and the statement of Rom. 5:20 in particular might lead some to suggest what Paul expressed: Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? Some may have reasoned that since grace increases “all the more” when sin abounds, then believers ought to sin more so they could experience more grace! The apostle voiced this idea only to reject it vehemently: By no means! (mē genoito; cf. comments on Rom. 3:4) In no way is the abundance of God’s grace designed to encourage sin.

Then Paul explained why such a thought cannot be entertained. The fact is, Christians died to sin (cf. Rom. 6:7, 6:11). The Greek aorist (past) tense for “died” suggests a specific point when the action occurred, at salvation. Death, whether physical or spiritual, means separation, not extinction (cf. Rom. 6:6-7, Rom. 6:14). Death to sin is separation from sin’s power, not the extinction of sin. Being dead to sin means being “set free from sin” (Rom. 6:18, 6:22). That being true, Paul asked, How can they live in it any longer? Obviously believers cannot live in sin if they died to it.

grace...

χάρις

charis

khar'-ece

From to be full of cheer, that is, calmly happy well off; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).

This still is an ongoing discussion in the church today. Many believe that it is not necessary to live above sin. They feel that it is a natural thing to sin, and God will overlook sin. He surely knows their weakness. The flesh will sin, but we found in the previous lesson that our flesh must be dead so that our spirit can live. There are two forces in our body today, our flesh nature and our spirit nature.

may abound?...

πλεονάζω

pleonazō

pleh-on-ad'-zo

From the major portion; to do, make or be more, that is, increase (transitively or intransitively); by extension to super-abound: - abound, abundant, make to increase, have over.