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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Romans 6
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
and the Reward of Uprightness
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. Rom_6:1 to Rom_8:39 form a unit of thought (literary unit) that deals with the Christian's relationship to sin (i.e., sanctification). This is a very important issue because the gospel is based on the free unmerited grace of God through Christ (Rom_3:21 to Rom_5:21) so, therefore, how does sin affect the believer? Romans 6 is based on two supposed questions, Rom_6:1; Rom_6:15. Rom_6:1 relates to Rom_5:20, while Rom_6:15 relates to Rom_6:14. The first is related to sin as a lifestyle (present tense), the second to individual acts of sin (aorist tense). It is obvious also that Rom_6:1-14 deal with believers' freedom from sin's domination, while Rom_6:15-23 deal with believers freedom to serve God as they previously served sin—totally, completely, and whole-heartedly.
B. Sanctification is both (see special Topic at Rom_6:4)
1. a position (imputed like justification at salvation, Rom_3:21 to Rom_5:21)
2. a progressing Christlikeness
a. Rom_6:1 to Rom_8:39 express this truth theologically
b. Rom_12:1 to Rom_15:13 express it practically (See Special Topic at Rom_6:4)
C. Often commentators must theologically split the subject of justification and positional sanctification to help grasp their biblical meanings. In reality they are simultaneous acts of grace (positional, 1Co_1:30; 1Co_6:11). The mechanism for both is the same—God's grace demonstrated in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection/ascension which is received by faith (cf. Eph_2:8-9).
D. This chapter teaches the potential full maturity (sinlessness, cf. 1Jn_3:6; 1Jn_3:9; 1Jn_5:18) of God's children in Christ. Romans 7 and 1Jn_1:8 to 1Jn_2:1 show the reality of believers' continuing sinfulness.
Much of the conflict over Paul's view of forgiveness (i.e., justification by grace through faith) was related to the issue of morality. The Jews wanted to assure godly living by demanding that new converts conform to the Mosaic law. It must be admitted that some did and do use Paul's views as a license to sin (cf. Rom_6:1; Rom_6:15; 2Pe_3:15-16). Paul believed that the indwelling Spirit, not an external code, would produce godly Christlike followers. In reality this is the difference between the Old Covenant (cf. Deuteronomy 27-28) and the New Covenant (cf. Jer_31:31-34; Eze_36:26-27).
E. Baptism is simply a physical illustration of the spiritual reality of justification/sanctification. In Romans the twin doctrines of positional sanctification (justification) and experiential sanctification (Christlikeness) are both stressed. Being buried with Him (Rom_6:4) is parallel with "be crucified with Him" (Rom_6:6).
F. The keys to overcoming temptation and sin in the Christian's life are
1. Know who you are in Christ. Know what He has done for you. You are free from sin! You are dead to sin!
2. Reckon/count your position in Christ into your daily life situations.
3. We are not our own! We must serve/obey our Master. We serve/obey out of gratitude and love to the One who first loved us and gave Himself for us!
4. The Christian life is a supernatural life. It, like salvation, is a gift from God in Christ. He initiates it and provides its power. We must respond in repentance and faith, both initially and daily.
5. Don't play around with sin. Label it for what it is. Turn from it; flee from it. Don't put yourself into the place of temptation.
6. Sin in the believer is an addiction that can be broken, but it takes knowledge of the gospel, the presence of the Spirit, time, effort, and volition.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. How are good works related to salvation (cf. Eph_2:8-10)?
2. How is continual sin in the life of the believer related to salvation (cf. 1Jn_3:6; 1Jn_3:9)?
3. Does the chapter teach "sinless perfection?"
4. How is Romans 6 related to Romans 5, 7?
5. Why is baptism discussed here?
6. Do Christians retain their old nature? Why?
7. What is the implication of present tense verbals dominating Rom_6:1-14 and aorist tense verbals in 15-23?