Audio commentary on this verse

Note 1 at Rom. 6:11: As already discussed in note 3 at Romans 6:2, p. 776 and note 6 at Rom. 6:4, p. 777, our "old man" is dead. However, because there is still a lust to sin present even after the new birth, many teach that the "old man" is constantly being resurrected. That's not so.

This verse makes it very clear that we are to reckon ourselves dead to sin in the same manner as Christ is dead to sin. The Greek word that was translated "likewise" in this verse is the word "houto" meaning "in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)." The dictionary defines "likewise" as, "in the same way; similarly." Therefore, we are dead to sin in the same way that Christ is dead to sin.

Of course, Jesus only died to sin once, so therefore, we only die to sin once (vv.9-10). After that, we simply reckon (see note 2 at Rom. 6:11 below) ourselves to be dead to sin and alive unto God.

Note 2 at Rom. 6:11: In note 6 at Romans 4:3, p. 762, the Greek word "logizomai" which was translated "reckon" here is explained in detail. The word conveys no causative meaning but rather only an inventory or assessment of a condition that already exists. Therefore, the state of being dead to sin already exists for the Christian, but we have to seize this benefit by reckoning it to be so. The use of the word "indeed" (see ref. c at Rom. 6:11, p. 779) in this verse, further establishes that this is already an accomplished work of Christ that we are simply appropriating.

Note 3 at Rom. 6:11: Many people focus on the death to sin that is mentioned in this verse and omit, or at least put secondarily, the being alive unto God part. It is assumed that if we will just die to sin, then life with Christ comes automatically. That's no more so than physical death automatically producing physical resurrection. God doesn't need dead people. He needs people who have risen from the dead spiritually.

People who are preoccupied with dying to themselves will not experience their new life with Christ. This verse emphatically states that we are to believe unquestionably, without a doubt, that we are in fact, in reality (see definition of reckon at ref. a, this verse) already dead to sin (see note 2 at this verse above) in the same way that Christ is already dead to sin (see note 1 at this verse).

As explained in note 9 at Romans 5:21, p. 775, being dead to sin is not a struggle against or victory over sin that we are accomplishing, but it is deliverance from our "old man" (sin nature-note 9 at Rom. 5:21, p. 775) that enslaved us to sin. Our "old man" no longer exists and therefore no longer can dominate us if we know the truth (see note 7 at Rom. 6:6, p. 778).

It is wrong to teach that dying to sin is something that we still have to accomplish by acknowledging all our sinfulness and forsaking it. This actually causes people to focus on self (sinful self) more than ever before and therefore actually strengthen the hold of what's left of the "old man" (see note 8 at Rom. 6:6, p. 778) in our lives. The way to get rid of the residual effect of the "old man" in our lives is not to focus on our sins, but to focus on our resurrected union with Christ.

Therefore, according to the instruction of this verse, we are to unquestionably count on the fact that our "old man" is gone, and just as certainly reckon that our new man is alive with Christ, desiring only those things that please the Father. Doing this will transform us outwardly in our flesh, into a person who reflects on who we already are inwardly in our spirit.