Romans 6: The Gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus

Romans 6: The Gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus

Collin Leong. October 12, 2025


(v1-14) Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

(v1-4) Shall we continue sinning to get more grace? No, we who have died to sin cannot live in it any longer. All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We are buried with him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 

Exp: Paul continued on what he said in Rom 5:20 - "The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more."  That means no matter how much we have sinned, grace will increase beyond that. This should not be an excuse for us to continue sinning for those who believe in Jesus Christ. We now have a new life and should not desire sin anymore. 

(v5-7) We have been united with him in death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. Our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin be done with, and we are no longer slaves to sin - everyone who died has been set free from sin. 

Exp: Here, Paul said that our body will be resurrected, just as Jesus was. When Jesus was resurrected, his body was different than before, as he can appear anywhere and entered into locked rooms. (John 20:19; Luke 24:36-43)

(v8-10) As we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with Him. Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again - death no longer have mastery over Him. He died to sin once for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God. 

(11-14) In the same way, consider that you are dead to sin but alive in God in Christ Jesus. Do not let sin reign in your mortal body and obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourself to God and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. 

Exp: Paul says that we should offer our body to God, who brought us from death to life, rather than offer ourselves to sin. Sin and death has been defeated, we are no longer slave to them. Though we are not obligated to obey sin, we can still succumb to temptations and sin as this is our "old self" (Rom 6:6) still lingers. Grace gives us the power to choose rightly, but doesn’t override our will.

(v15-23) Slaves to Righteousness

(v15-18) Should we sin because we are under grace, and not under the law? Of course not! When you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are the slave, whether you are the slave to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness. But thanks to God that you used to be slaves to sin, but you have obeyed the teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. 

Exp: Paul seems to repeat v1 with v15. However there is a slight difference. Verse 1 focus on people who sin as they think grace may increase to cover their sins. In v15, these is for those who use grace as a freedom to sin. They think since grace is a gift from God, their "works" of sin are no longer relevant. It's the two side of the same coin. Paul said that they were once slaves to sin, but when they believe in the gospel teaching, they are now slaves to righteousness. Therefore they should avoid sin and do what is righteous.

(v19-23) Paul is using examples from everyday life because of their human limitation. Just as they have offered themselves as slave to impurity and ever-increasing wickedness, but now they should offer themselves as a slave to righteousness leading to holiness.  When they were slaves to sin, they are not controlled by righteousness, and there were no benefits except to be ashamed of it, and they lead to death. Now they have been set free from sin and have becomes slaves of God, and the benefits leads to holiness and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 


Key Messages

Romans 6 is Paul’s powerful call to live out the implications of grace. It answers the question: If we’re saved by grace, should we keep sinning? The answer is a resounding no. It is a call to live out your new identity in Christ. Grace doesn’t excuse sin—it empowers transformation. You’ve been raised to walk in newness of life, so don’t return to the grave.

1. Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ (vv.1–7)

  • Grace is not a license to sin; we died to sin through baptism into Christ’s death.

  • Just as Christ was raised, we too walk in newness of life.

  • Our old self was crucified so that we are no longer enslaved to sin.

Application: Live as someone resurrected. Don’t return to the grave of old habits—walk in the freedom and power of new life.

2. United with Christ in Death and Resurrection (vv.8–11)

  • If we died with Christ, we will also live with Him.

  • Death no longer has dominion over Him—and neither does sin over us.

  • Consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Application: Shift your mindset. See yourself as alive to God—let that identity shape your choices, desires, and direction.

3. Offer Yourself to God, Not to Sin (vv.12–14)

  • Don’t let sin reign in your mortal body or obey its desires.

  • Don’t offer your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness.

  • Instead, offer yourselves to God, for sin shall not be your master—you’re under grace, not law.

Application: Be intentional with your body and choices. Offer every part of yourself to God as a tool for righteousness.

4. Slaves to Righteousness, Not Sin (vv.15–19)

  • Being under grace doesn’t mean we can sin freely.

  • We become slaves to whatever we obey—either sin leading to death or obedience leading to righteousness.

  • Just as we once offered ourselves to impurity, now offer ourselves to righteousness.

Application: Choose your master wisely. Let obedience to God shape your habits, relationships, and purpose.

5. The Fruit of Righteousness Is Eternal Life (vv.20–23)

  • When we were slaves to sin, we were free from righteousness—but the outcome was death.

  • Now, being set free from sin and enslaved to God, we bear fruit that leads to sanctification and eternal life.

  • The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Application: Don’t settle for sin’s paycheck. Receive God’s gift and live a life that bears eternal fruit.



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