Romans 6:11 – “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Extended Explanation

This verse is a key turning point in Paul’s teaching about sin and salvation in Romans 6. Up until now, Paul has been explaining what God has done through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Now, he shifts the focus to what we must do as believers.

Paul says, “count yourselves dead to sin.” This means we should see ourselves the way God sees us—completely freed from the power of sin. When Jesus died, we died with Him (Romans 6:6). Sin no longer owns us or controls us. Paul is saying that we need to believe this truth and live accordingly.

But being dead to sin is only half the story. Paul also says, “but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Being a Christian is not just about avoiding sin—it’s about living a new life for God. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead and now lives fully to God (Romans 6:10), we too must live for Him.

This verse is a call to action. Paul is telling believers to change the way they think about themselves. If we truly believe that we are dead to sin and alive to God, our lives should reflect that truth.

Historical Context

Paul wrote this letter to Christians in Rome, many of whom had come from sinful backgrounds. Some were Jewish and had been raised with strict religious laws, while others were Gentiles who had lived in a culture full of idolatry and immorality.

Some of these believers may have struggled to understand what it meant to be free from sin’s power. They knew they had been forgiven, but they may have still felt trapped by old sinful habits. Paul was reminding them that their identity had changed. They were not the same people they used to be. In Christ, they were new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In the Roman world, people understood slavery very well. A slave was completely under the control of their master. Paul wanted believers to understand that they were no longer slaves to sin. They had been set free to live for God.

Theological Implications

This verse carries deep spiritual truths:

1. Our identity in Christ is new. We are not who we used to be—sin no longer defines us.
2. We have been set free from sin’s control. This means we can resist sin and choose to live righteously.
3. Faith is active, not passive. We must actively consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God.
4. Victory over sin begins in the mind. If we see ourselves as helpless sinners, we will live that way. If we see ourselves as people freed by Christ, we will live differently.

Paul is not saying that Christians will never sin again, but he is saying that sin is no longer our master. We do not have to obey it anymore.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s wording in this verse is intentional and powerful.

• “In the same way” – This connects back to verse 10, where Paul said Jesus died to sin and now lives to God. Paul is telling us to follow Jesus’ example.
• “Count yourselves” – The Greek word here (logizomai) means to consider, to reckon, to account as true. This is an instruction to change how we think about ourselves.
• “Dead to sin” – This is a legal and spiritual truth. Sin has no legal claim over us because Christ has paid our debt.
• “Alive to God in Christ Jesus” – We are not just saved from sin; we are saved for a new life in God.

This verse is the first time Paul gives a direct command in Romans 6. Up until now, he has been explaining what God has done. Now, he tells believers what they must do—live in the reality of their new identity.

Biblical Cross-References

• Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
• Colossians 3:3 – “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
• Ephesians 4:22-24 – “Put off your old self… to be made new in the attitude of your minds… put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

These verses confirm that salvation is not just about being forgiven—it is about being transformed.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a call to live differently:

• We must see ourselves the way God sees us. If we are in Christ, we are not slaves to sin anymore.
• We should not live like we are still spiritually dead. If we have been made alive in Christ, our lives should reflect that reality.
• We need to take sin seriously. If we are dead to sin, we should not entertain it, justify it, or make excuses for it.
• We should focus on living for God. Instead of just trying not to sin, we should actively pursue righteousness, worship, and obedience to God.

Many Christians struggle with guilt and failure because they don’t fully believe that they are free from sin’s control. Paul’s message is clear—if you are in Christ, sin is not your master anymore. Live in that freedom!

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is evident in this verse because He doesn’t just forgive us—He frees us. A loving father doesn’t just bail his child out of trouble; he also helps them live in a way that avoids trouble in the future.

God’s love is not just about what He has done for us; it is also about what He empowers us to do. He doesn’t leave us stuck in sin—He gives us the ability to live a new life.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Everything in this verse is centered on Jesus.

• We died with Him. (Romans 6:6 – “For we know that our old self was crucified with him.”)
• We live because of Him. (Romans 6:10 – “The life he lives, he lives to God.”)
• We have a new identity in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.”)

Without Jesus, we would still be slaves to sin. But because of Him, we are dead to sin and alive to God.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Do you truly believe that you are dead to sin? If not, why?
2. How does your identity in Christ affect the way you handle temptation?
3. What are some practical ways you can live as someone who is “alive to God”?
4. Are there any areas in your life where you still act like a slave to sin?
5. How can you encourage others to see themselves as free from sin and alive to God?