Romans 6:12
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Original Language Analysis
Μὴ
not
G3361
Μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 18
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 18
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σώματι
body
G4983
σώματι
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
10 of 18
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
εἰς
that
G1519
εἰς
that
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
11 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπακούειν
ye should obey
G5219
ὑπακούειν
ye should obey
Strong's:
G5219
Word #:
13 of 18
to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e., to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority
αὐτοῦ
it
G846
αὐτοῦ
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Galatians 5:16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.Romans 6:16Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?Romans 8:13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.Psalms 19:13Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.Galatians 5:24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.Romans 2:8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,2 Corinthians 4:11For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.Psalms 119:133Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.Ephesians 4:22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;Numbers 33:55But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
Historical Context
The body-soul relationship was contested in Paul's time. Greek philosophy often denigrated the body (Platonism, Gnosticism); Judaism affirmed the body's goodness but recognized its fallenness. Paul steers between extremes: the body isn't evil (it's mortal and fallen, but redeemable), yet it's the arena where sin seeks control. Roman society's indulgence in sensual pleasure (banquets, baths, sexual license among elites) provided constant temptation. Paul's command to not let sin reign in the body was countercultural asceticism—not body-denial but body-discipline for God's glory.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'lusts' of your mortal body most persistently seek to obey sin's reign rather than Christ's lordship?
- How can you actively dethrone sin's attempted kingship in your bodily appetites and desires?
- Where do you need to recognize that resisting sin isn't automatic but requires your active non-cooperation with its reign?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body—mē oun basileuetō hē hamartia en tō thnētō hymōn sōmati (μὴ οὖν βασιλευέτω ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐν τῷ θνητῷ ὑμῶν σώματι). The present imperative with mē means "stop allowing sin to reign" (if it currently does) or "do not begin allowing." Basileuetō (βασιλευέτω, "let it reign") personifies sin as a tyrant-king. Your mortal body (thnētō hymōn sōmati, θνητῷ ὑμῶν σώματι)—thnētos (mortal, subject to death) emphasizes the body's present frailty and fallen condition, making it vulnerable to sin's reign if believers yield.
That ye should obey it in the lusts thereof (eis to hypakouein tais epithymiais autou, εἰς τὸ ὑπακούειν ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις αὐτοῦ)—hypakouein (obey) indicates submission to authority. Epithymiais (ἐπιθυμίαις, lusts, desires) can be neutral but here is sinful desire. The body's desires are sin's foot soldiers; allowing sin to reign means obeying these desires. The command assumes believers' responsibility and ability (through the Spirit, though not mentioned until ch. 8) to refuse sin's kingship. Though positionally dethroned, sin still seeks to usurp control—believers must actively resist.