v1-2: The theme now changes; to sanctification, the application of the truth of justification into daily life. A particular problem is that some teach that Christians can do what they like. This error is clearly answered here.

This question is a logical response to the teaching of chapter 5; unless properly understood, the hearer might think Paul is teaching that it is alright to continue in sin. 'If a man preaches justification by works, no one would ever raise this question' (Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Romans: The New Man).

"Shall we go on sinning," or, perhaps better, 'continue in sin.' The meaning is not so much doing wrong, although that is clearly included (see 3.8), but rather to be governed and controlled by sin, to maintain an attitude of rebellion against God. Compare Gal 5.13; 1 John 3.6.

We have died to sin, having died with Christ; 2 Cor 5.14-15; 1 Pet 2.24; we cannot go back, compare Luke 16.26. Our identification with Christ, and His death and resurrection, is both total and irreversible. We must now live new lives.

v3-4: Baptism symbolises our sanctification. Christ has tasted death for everyone. When we are converted we are baptised into His death. We are buried with Him, that we might be raised with Him, and therefore live in the risen power of Christ, see Eph 2.20. We do not live in sin, as that is the old life, which is now dead.

v5-7: The crucifixion proves our sanctification. "Certainly," no doubt; in the mind of God the 'old man' has died; that old, self-centred, nature is in the past. Wrath and condemnation fell on Christ, the old bondage has been broken, and we are freed from its dominion. As the JB Philips translation puts this verse; 'a dead man can safely be said to be immune to the power of sin.'

v8-10: The resurrection confirms our sanctification. Since we died with Christ we are also raised with Him. Christ dies no more, death no longer has dominion over Him; therefore we share that victory over death itself. The death that He died, that single death, was "once for all," sufficient for me, and sufficient for all who have faith in Him. His life is therefore eternal, and our lives must also be eternal; there must be something about us that separates us from this world, and the people of this world.

v11-14: Faith appropriates sanctification. We must believe what God has done for us, and said about us. We are to live out the new life of Christ, rejecting the old, and enjoying the experience of the new. This is the idea of taking up the cross daily, reckoning ourselves dead; deliberately and constantly choosing the way of Christ.

v12: We may all fall into sins, but we are not to let sins reign is us; we can know real victory, see 5.17. We have responsibility to live out these glorious truths. We are not mere passive recipients of the promises of God, but have choices to make to life in those same truths.

v13: "Offer," or 'present;' meaning totally devoted; the old self was totally devoted to sin and to self; the new man is to be totally devoted to God. In practice we must therefore starve the old man, and feed the new man.

This verse teaches not a passive but a deliberate choice to go God's way. This is essentially practical; the unbeliever's members are instruments of unrighteousness, proceeding to sin; hands, feet, tongue, mind, emotions; all given over to doing wrong. For the Christian, in contrast, the whole person is given over to promoting righteousness and honouring God.

v14: What is true in principle must become true in practice. Being "under grace" means being directed and dominated by the grace of God. Wonderfully, in Christ, sin no more has dominion over us, although it may find a place in us. The clear command to the Christian is not to return to the law, for it cannot contribute to our salvation. We have a new way of life.

v15: Paul uses another question to develop his teaching. This refers to individual acts of sin, in contrast to v1. Since we are "under grace," the Lord expects us to put our sins behind us.

v16: The choice of sin or obedience. In Paul's day, each person was either a free man or a slave; the picture here is therefore very clear. Where we do not have control over something we become its slave; Paul says that we can choose this. Jesus Christ was the servant of God, and we are also called to be servants of God; 1.1; Ex 21. We have to constantly make the choice to obey, as temptations come, and bad attitudes come in.

Note that the word 'servant' in some translations is the Greek word DOULOS, and is better translated slave. We are slaves of Jesus Christ, having been redeemed by Him (3.24).

v17: True repentance and faith; breaking with the past and wholehearted devotion to God. This is the "form of doctrine," basic Christian teaching. The Romans have been delivered into the faith of Jesus Christ; and this infers that there was teaching of the truths of God. Paul uses the past tense here, clearly showing that we are no longer slaves of sin. There is a 'form,' or 'pattern' of sound teaching. This is doctrine and more than doctrine, a way of life, which Paul presents as a standard for Christian living.

v18: The glorious fact; we have been set free from sin, and made slaves of righteousness. And our part is to live this out in our lives.

v19: We are to present our members, our whole bodies, as slaves of righteousness;

• to forsake sins must be accompanied by the choice to do good;
• our confidence is that God will give us the strength to obey;
• the end result is holiness of character.

The alternative route, of ever-increasing wickedness, leads to death, v21.

v20: The unbeliever is under the domination of sin, and is free from the control of righteousness.

v21: Sin has the fruit of death; there may be an apparent short term advantage or enjoyment, but this is a deceit. The Christian has been delivered from death.

v22: Repeating the explanation of v19; "you have..." this is something true in our lives. And we can experience holiness and everlasting life.

v23: See 4.4-5; the choice is wages or gift; death or life.