rwp - Romans:6:1-14

rwp@Romans:6:1 @{What shall we say then?} (\ti oun eroumen?\). "A debater's phrase" (Morison). Yes, and an echo of the rabbinical method of question and answer, but also an expression of exultant victory of grace versus sin. But Paul sees the possible perversion of this glorious grace. {Shall we continue in sin?} (\epimenmen ti hamartii?\). Present active deliberative subjunctive of \epimen\, old verb to tarry as in Ephesus (1Corinthians:16:8|) with locative case. The practice of sin as a habit (present tense) is here raised. {That grace may abound} (\hina h charis pteonasi\). Final clause with ingressive aorist subjunctive, to set free the superfluity of grace alluded to like putting money in circulation. Horrible thought (\m genoito\) and yet Paul faced it. There are occasionally so-called pietists who actually think that God's pardon gives them liberty to sin without penalty (cf. the sale of indulgences that stirred Martin Luther).

rwp@Romans:6:2 @{Died to sin} (\apethanomen ti hamartii\). Second aorist active of \apothnsk\ and the dative case. When we surrendered to Christ and took him as Lord and Saviour. Qualitative relative (\hoitines\, we the very ones who). {How} (\ps\). Rhetorical question.

rwp@Romans:6:3 @{Were baptized into Christ} (\ebaptisthmen eis Christon\). First aorist passive indicative of \baptiz\. Better, "were baptized unto Christ or in Christ." The translation "into" makes Paul say that the union with Christ was brought to pass by means of baptism, which is not his idea, for Paul was not a sacramentarian. \Eis\ is at bottom the same word as \en\. Baptism is the public proclamation of one's inward spiritual relation to Christ attained before the baptism. See on ¯Galatians:3:27| where it is like putting on an outward garment or uniform. {Into his death} (\eis ton thanaton autou\). Songs:here "unto his death," "in relation to his death," which relation Paul proceeds to explain by the symbolism of the ordinance.

rwp@Romans:6:4 @{We were buried therefore with him by means of baptism unto death} (\sunetaphmen oun auti dia tou baptismatos eis ton thanaton\). Second aorist passive indicative of \sunthapt\, old verb to bury together with, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Colossians:2:12|. With associative instrumental case (\auti\) and "by means of baptism unto death" as in verse 3|. {In newness of life} (\en kainotti zs\). The picture in baptism points two ways, backwards to Christ's death and burial and to our death to sin (verse 1|), forwards to Christ's resurrection from the dead and to our new life pledged by the coming out of the watery grave to walk on the other side of the baptismal grave (F. B. Meyer). There is the further picture of our own resurrection from the grave. It is a tragedy that Paul's majestic picture here has been so blurred by controversy that some refuse to see it. It should be said also that a symbol is not the reality, but the picture of the reality.

rwp@Romans:6:5 @{For if we have become united with him by the likeness of his death} (\ei gar sumphutoi gegonamen ti homoimati tou thanatou autou\). Condition of the first class, assumed to be true. \Sumphutoi\ is old verbal adjective from \sumphu\, to grow together. Baptism as a picture of death and burial symbolizes our likeness to Christ in his death. {We shall be also united in the likeness of his resurrection} (\alla kai ts anastases esometha\). The conclusion to the previous condition introduced by \alla kai\ as often and \toi homoimati\ (in the likeness) must be understood before \ts anastases\ (of his resurrection). Baptism is a picture of the past and of the present and a prophecy of the future, the matchless preacher of the new life in Christ.

rwp@Romans:6:6 @{Our old man} (\ho palaios hmn anthrpos\). Only in Paul (here, strkjv@Colossians:3:9; strkjv@Ephesians:4:22|). {Was crucified with him} (\sunestaurth\). See on ¯Galatians:2:19| for this boldly picturesque word. This took place not at baptism, but only pictured there. It took place when "we died to sin" (verse 1|). {The body of sin} (\to sma ts hamartias\). "The body of which sin has taken possession" (Sanday and Headlam), the body marked by sin. {That so we should no longer be in bondage to sin} (\tou mketi douleuein hmas ti hamartii\). Purpose clause with \tou\ and the present active infinitive of \douleu\, continue serving sin (as slaves). Adds "slavery" to living in sin (verse 2|).

rwp@Romans:6:7 @{Is justified} (\dedikaitai\). Perfect passive indicative of \dikaio\, stands justified, set free from, adding this great word to death and life of verses 1,2|.

rwp@Romans:6:8 @{With Christ} (\sun Christi\). As pictured by baptism, the crucifixion with Christ of verse 6|.

rwp@Romans:6:9 @{Dieth no more} (\ouketi apothnskei\). "Christ's particular death occurs but once" (Shedd). See strkjv@Hebrews:10:10|. A complete refutation of the "sacrificial" character of the "mass."

rwp@Romans:6:10 @{The death that he died} (\ho apethanen\). Neuter relative, cognative accusative with \apethanen\. {Once} (\ephapax\). Once and once only (Hebrews:9:26f.|), not \pote\ (once upon a time). {The life that he liveth} (\ho zi\). Cognate accusative of the relative.

rwp@Romans:6:11 @{Reckon ye also yourselves} (\kai humeis logizesthe\). Direct middle imperative of \logizomai\ and complete proof that Paul does not mean that baptism makes one dead to sin and alive to God. That is a spiritual operation "in Christ Jesus" and only pictured by baptism. This is a plea to live up to the ideal of the baptized life.

rwp@Romans:6:12 @{Reign} (\basileuet\). Present active imperative, "let not sin continue to reign" as it did once (5:12|). {Mortal} (\thntoi\). Verbal adjective from \thnsk\, subject to death. The reign of sin is over with you. Self-indulgence is inconsistent with trust in the vicarious atonement. {That ye should obey} (\eis to hupakouein\). With a view to obeying.

rwp@Romans:6:13 @{Neither present} (\mde paristanete\). Present active imperative in prohibition of \paristan\, late form of \paristmi\, to place beside. Stop presenting your members or do not have the habit of doing so, "do not go on putting your members to sin as weapons of unrighteousness." {Instruments} (\hopla\). Old word for tools of any kind for shop or war (John:18:3; strkjv@2Corinthians:6:7; strkjv@10:4; strkjv@Romans:13:12|). Possibly here figure of two armies arrayed against each other (Galatians:5:16-24|), and see \hopla dikaiosuns\ below. The two sets of \hopla\ clash. {But present yourselves unto God} (\alla parastsate heautous ti thei\). First aorist active imperative of \paristmi\, same verb, but different tense, do it now and completely. Our "members" (\mel\) should be at the call of God "as alive from the dead."

rwp@Romans:6:14 @{Shall not have dominion} (\ou kurieusei\). Future active indicative of \kurieu\, old verb from \kurios\, "shall not lord it over you," even if not yet wholly dead. Cf. strkjv@2Corinthians:1:24|.