Bible Commentaries

Shall we continue in sin, &c., that is, will this doctrine of the free pardon of the sinner, lead men to continue unconcerned in sin, relying for impunity on the abundance of divine grace? The substance of the answer contained in the Ro+6:2-14">subsequent verses is, that it will not, since, by the connection of the believer with Christ, a moral change takes place, which in a great measure destroys his love for sin.

Were baptized into his death. The idea expressed in this passage seems to be this,--that, by the union of the believer with Christ, represented by the rite of baptism by which it is consummated, he under goes a change analogous to the death and resurrection of Christ; for, as Christ, at his crucifixion, brought one life,--that is, his life as mortal man,--to a close, and by his resurrection commenced a new life, as it were,--that is, his immortality,--so the believer closes his life of sin, and commences a new spiritual existence. Thus he becomes dead to sin, and alive to God. (Romans 6:11.) That this is the meaning, appears to be distinctly stated in Romans 6:4.

Buried. Those who consider immersion the only proper mode of baptism, attach great importance to this expression, as an incidental indication that that mode was the one present to the apostle's mind.

Planted together; joined together.--We shall be also; that is, we shall be joined with him. As he rose to immortal life after his crucifixion, so shall we enter upon a new spiritual life of holiness after becoming dead in respect to the old life of sin.

Our old man; the unholy propensities of the natural heart.

From sin; considered as a master; for death always sets the bondman free from his servitude.

Shall not have dominion over you; make you the victim of its remorse and its penalties.--Not under the law; not dependent upon having fulfilled the law for salvation, but upon grace, that is, mercy.

Shall we sin? shall we go on sinning, without scruple, because we are delivered, as stated in the Romans 6:14, from the retributive power of sin?

His servants ye are, &c. The meaning is, that it is vain for us to imagine that we can escape the scourge and torment of sin, through divine grace, while we yield ourselves up to the guilty indulgences of it in our practice; for, by the very fact of our continuing in the practice of sin, we show that we are still under the dominion of sin, and not in a state of grace. Whichever master we choose to follow in our lives and conversation, his we are.--Unto righteousness; justification, that is, pardon and peace.

That ye were; meaning that ye are not now.

After the manner of men; as usual among men; that is, plainly, and with illustrations drawn from common life.