Interpretation of the Bible / Romans 6:5-6

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

The book of Romans written by Paul covers the major themes of the Christian faith, such as justification by faith, law and grace, salvation, and sanctification. In Romans 6:5-6, an analogy is drawn between the death and resurrection of Christ and the Christian's experience in life.

Context

Before we delve into the verses themselves, it is important to consider the context in which they are found. In previous chapters, Paul explained that Christians are not under the law, but under the grace of God. However, this does not mean that they are free to sin, but that they are to live in holiness and obedience to God.

We are united to Him in the likeness of His death

In verse 5, Paul uses the metaphor of planting to talk about the Christian's union with Christ in His death and resurrection. The idea is that just as a plant is planted in the earth and is joined to the earth, so the Christian is planted in Christ and is joined to Him in His death and resurrection.

The phrase “in the likeness of His death” means that the Christian experiences a symbolic death by being joined to Christ. This does not mean that the Christian dies physically, but that he dies to sin. The Christian realizes that his old man, with its sinful tendencies and desires, is crucified with Christ and no longer has power over him.

So we will be in His resurrection

But the death of the Christian is not the end of the story. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, the Christian is also raised to new life in Christ. The phrase “in His resurrection” means that the Christian experiences a symbolic resurrection by being joined to Christ. This implies a radical transformation in the life of the Christian, who now lives for God and not for sin.

This resurrection is not just something in the future, but a present reality. The Christian has already been spiritually resurrected and has the power to live a life of holiness and obedience to God. But there is a future dimension to this resurrection, when Christians will be physically resurrected at the coming of the Lord to be transformed and receive glorified bodies.

Book: New Testament / Romans

Topics: addiction, Crucifixion, Resurrection, sin, slavery

Attention! This is one of the possible interpretations based on the comments of famous theologians, which may differ from each other. If the interpretation is taken from other languages, then there may be a distortion of meaning when translating the language. Matthew 7:7-8

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