Romans 6:11
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Romans 6:11
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Chapter Context
Romans 6 is a theological epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of covenant, righteousness, wisdom. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 57 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Christians in Rome navigated tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers under imperial watch.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-23: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Romans and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Romans 6:11
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Analysis
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).
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.
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?
Word Studies
- Sin: ἁμαρτία (Hamartia) G266 - Sin, missing the mark
Cross-References
- References Jesus: Romans 5:1, John 20:31, Ephesians 2:7, Colossians 3:17, 1 Peter 2:5, 4:11
- References God: 1 Corinthians 6:20
- Sin: Romans 6:2, 6:13
- Parallel theme: Romans 8:18