Romans 6:2
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Romans 6:2
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Chapter Context
Romans 6 is a theological epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of mercy, truth, redemption. 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 6:2
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Analysis
God forbid (mē genoito, μὴ γένοιτο)—Paul's strongest negation, appearing 10 times in Romans. Literally "may it never be!" This emphatic rejection introduces Paul's theological explanation: believers have died to sin (apethanomen tē hamartia, ἀπεθάνομεν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ)—the aorist tense indicating a definite past event at conversion.
The phrase "dead to sin" uses the dative of reference: believers died with respect to sin, breaking sin's mastery. This isn't sinless perfection but a changed relationship—sin no longer has legal dominion over justified believers. Paul's rhetorical question expects the answer: How shall we... live any longer therein? The question assumes moral impossibility: for those truly united to Christ's death, habitual sin is theologically and spiritually incongruous. The present tense zēsomen (ζήσομεν) asks about ongoing lifestyle, not isolated acts.
Historical Context
In Roman law, death freed a person from all legal obligations—Paul uses this legal metaphor. The Greek concept of death as separation from former relationships would resonate with his audience. Jewish thought connected righteousness with life and sin with death (Ezekiel 18), providing theological background for Paul's argument about dying to sin's dominion.
Reflection
- What does it mean practically that you have 'died to sin' while still experiencing temptation?
- How does understanding your death to sin's dominion change your battle against specific sins?
- In what ways might you be 'living' in what you've already died to?
Word Studies
- Sin: ἁμαρτία (Hamartia) G266 - Sin, missing the mark
Cross-References
- References God: Romans 7:4, Galatians 2:19, 6:14, Colossians 3:3
- Sin: 1 Peter 2:24, 1 John 3:9
- Parallel theme: Romans 7:6, Psalms 119:104, Colossians 2:20, 1 Peter 1:14