Audio commentary on this verse

Note 2 at Rom. 6:2: Paul had so convincingly proven salvation by grace that there was not any theological argument left against it. Yet, the most common complaint against grace is not theological. It concerns the practical application. Most people can't handle grace because they think, "If I'm saved by grace, then why resist sin?" Paul answers this question in two ways in this chapter. First, Christians don't live a life of sin because they are dead to sin (see note 3 at this verse, below). This is the point Paul is making in verses 1-14. Secondly, although God is not imputing our sins unto us, Satan is. Beginning with verse 15, Paul clearly states that sin is an inroad of the enemy into our lives (see note 3 at Rom. 5:14, p. 773).

Therefore, Paul states that sin is still deadly and something to be resisted but he changes the motivation for living holy. No longer do we resist sin to try and be accepted with God but we live holy because our nature has been changed and because actions of sin give place to the devil.

Note 3 at Rom. 6:2: What does it mean that we are dead to sin? From the context and also from personal experience, we can easily see what it doesn't mean. It clearly doesn't mean that a Christian is incapable of committing sins.

Once again, the Greek word translated "sin" here is "hamartia" which is a noun describing the propensity for sin or what many call the sin nature (see note 9 at Rom. 5:21, p. 775). The NIV translation calls this the old self (see ref. u at v. 6, p. 777). Our "old self" was the driving force behind our acts of sin. Paul is saying, that since our old self that loved to sin is dead, it is not the nature of a Christian to commit acts of sin as it was before they were born again (see note 2 at Jn. 3:3, p. 92). That's the number one reason that Christians don't sin. They don't want to sin.

However, by Paul saying that the part of us that compelled us to sin is dead, new questions are raised. If we no longer have a sin nature that compels us to sin, then why do we do it? Some Christians believe they are still driven to sin and quote Paul's statements in Romans 7 to justify this. Paul goes on to answer this question in verse 6 (see note 7 at Rom. 6:6, p. 778).