What does Romans 6:11 mean?

Explanation

Romans 6:11 is a verse that encapsulates a core Christian concept of dying to sin and living a life dedicated to God through Jesus Christ.

When Paul speaks of reckoning oneself "dead indeed unto sin," he is using a metaphor of death to describe a believer's separation from the power and penalty of sin.

The idea is that just as Jesus died and rose again, Christians are called to consider their old sinful nature as dead and instead live a new life characterized by righteousness.

Being "alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" means recognizing and living under the grace given through Christ's resurrection and acknowledging the transformative power of this relationship in one's life.

Historical Context

Paul wrote the Letter to the Romans around 57 AD.

It was penned from Corinth during his third missionary journey and addressed to the Christian church in Rome.

The Roman Church was composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers, who needed guidance in understanding the doctrines of salvation and sanctification.

The surrounding context of Romans 6 is Paul's discourse on how grace multiplies where sin increases.

However, this doesn't mean that believers should continue sinning. Paul's intent was to teach the Roman Christians that through baptism, they shared in Jesus' death and resurrection, which symbolized a break from the enslavement of sin and the beginning of a new life devoted to God.

Theological Insights

The verse presents several theological insights:

• Identification with Christ: This verse underlines the Christian belief in the believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection, a cornerstone of Pauline theology.
• Sanctification: It offers insights into the process of sanctification, where believers grow to become more like Christ by turning away from sin.
• Grace: The ability to be "dead unto sin" is not from one's strength but is made possible through the grace of God via Jesus Christ.
• Dualism: The concept of two realms – one ruled by sin, the other governed by righteousness – is a prevalent theme in the writings of Paul.

Diverse Christian traditions may place varying emphases on this verse. For example, the Reformed tradition highlights the concept of imputed righteousness, while the Methodist tradition might stress the continuing process of sanctification in a believer's life.

Practical Applications

Romans 6:11 calls on believers to actively consider themselves as transformed people, changing their self-perception and behavior in the following ways:

• Sin Resistance: The idea of being dead to sin implies that Christians should resist temptation and avoid returning to past sinful behaviors.
• Moral Awareness: There is an encouragement to live with a constant awareness of God's presence and holiness, shaping one's choices and actions.
• Identity in Christ: This verse invites believers to anchor their identity in their relationship with Jesus, rather than in their past or their failures.

Cross-References

• Galatians 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me..."
• Colossians 3:3: "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
• 2 Corinthians 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."
• 1 Peter 2:24: "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness..."

Language Study

The key phrase "reckon ye also" translates from the Greek word "λογίζεσθε" (logizesthe), meaning to consider, count, or compute. This term implies a conscious and deliberate decision or acknowledgment.

"Dead indeed unto sin" involves the strong Greek term "νεκροὺς" (nekrous), literally meaning "dead ones" and symbolizes a complete cessation of relationship or interaction with sin.

"Alive unto God" with "ζῶντας" (zontas) representing the state of being alive, in a vibrant and active sense, not merely existing.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient religions, the themes of death and rebirth are common, often linked to agricultural cycles and natural seasons.

However, in the Christian context, the death and life Paul speaks of are moral and spiritual rather than physical or natural.

These Christian themes differ significantly from such mythological narratives as they're centered around ethical transformation and a personal relationship with a monotheistic deity through Jesus Christ.

Scientific Perspectives

The discussion of sin, death, and spiritual life falls outside the purview of empirical science, as they are metaphysical concepts. Science may provide insights into the physical processes of life and death, but it cannot measure or evaluate spiritual beliefs.

The concepts of sin and spiritual life in Romans 6:11 are matters of faith and personal conviction, not scientific evaluation.

Commentaries

Various Biblical scholars and theologians have interpreted Romans 6:11 throughout history. For instance:

• John Stott, a notable evangelical writer, views this verse as an imperative to the believer's ethical and spiritual renewal.
• N.T.

Wright, a New Testament scholar, emphasizes that this verse calls believers to live in the reality of what God has done in Christ, suggesting a life of active partnership with God.

• Martin Luther, the Reformer, speaks about living a life of faith in Christ and being justified by faith, not by the law; thus, a believer's life should reflect this faith.
• Calvin commented that this reckoning is not simply an external change but an inward spiritual transformation that results in outward holiness.