Romans 6:11
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λογίζεσθε
reckon
G3049
λογίζεσθε
reckon
Strong's:
G3049
Word #:
4 of 20
to take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively)
ἑαυτοὺς
yourselves
G1438
ἑαυτοὺς
yourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
5 of 20
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
μὲν
indeed
G3303
μὲν
indeed
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
unto God
G2316
θεῷ
unto God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
14 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
17 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 6:2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?1 Corinthians 6:20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.Colossians 3:17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.Romans 6:13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.Romans 8:18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.John 20:31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.1 Peter 2:5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.Ephesians 2:7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.Romans 5:1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:1 Peter 4:11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Historical Context
In Roman financial and legal contexts, logizomai (reckon) meant to officially register or legally credit something to an account. Paul uses this language for both justification (righteousness credited, Romans 4:3-11) and sanctification (reckoning the reality of death to sin). This wasn't mental fiction but acknowledging legal fact. The early church taught new converts to understand their baptismal identification with Christ's death-resurrection as the basis for new life—catechetical instruction emphasized these realities.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean practically to 'reckon' yourself dead to sin in specific temptations you face?
- How is 'reckoning' different from mere positive thinking or denying the reality of temptation?
- In what areas do you need to more actively count yourself 'alive unto God' rather than living in death?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord—logizesthe (λογίζεσθε, "reckon, count, consider") is present imperative, indicating continuous command. This is accounting terminology (used of Abraham's faith being 'reckoned' as righteousness, Romans 4:3). Believers must actively calculate themselves as what they already are positionally: dead indeed unto sin (nekrous men tē hamartia, νεκροὺς μὲν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ) and alive unto God (zōntas de tō theō, ζῶντας δὲ τῷ θεῷ).
This is the pivotal verse of Romans 6, moving from indicative (what is true: vv. 1-10) to imperative (what to do: vv. 11-23). Sanctification involves bringing experience into line with reality through faith's reckoning. Believers don't make themselves dead to sin by reckoning—they recognize and act on the death that already occurred in Christ. Through Jesus Christ our Lord emphasizes that this new identity exists only in union with Christ—apart from Him, no one is dead to sin or alive to God. The full title (en Christō Iēsou tō kyriō hēmōn) stresses His mediatorial work, His saving mission (Jesus), and His sovereign lordship (Lord).