Romans 6:6 – “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.”

Extended Explanation

This verse is a powerful declaration of what happens when a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ. Paul is saying that the old self—our sinful, rebellious nature—was crucified with Christ. This doesn’t mean our old self slowly fades away; it means that it was put to death the moment we believed in Jesus.

Why does this matter? Because without Christ, sin controls us. It dictates how we think, act, and live. But when we are crucified with Christ, sin no longer has power over us. Paul describes it as “the body ruled by sin might be done away with.” This means that sin’s control has been broken.

Paul then makes the point even clearer: “we should no longer be slaves to sin.” Before Christ, we had no choice but to obey sin. But now, because of what Jesus did, we are no longer enslaved to sinful desires. This doesn’t mean we never struggle with sin, but it does mean we are free to resist it and live in obedience to God.

Historical Context

Paul was writing to the church in Rome, which was made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers. The concept of slavery was well understood in the Roman world. Many people in the Roman Empire were slaves, and they had no control over their own lives. They had to obey their masters completely.

By using the language of slavery, Paul was making a point his audience would easily grasp. Before Christ, we were slaves to sin—it dictated our lives. But now, because of Jesus, we have been set free. This would have been especially encouraging to Gentile believers who came from sinful, idolatrous backgrounds and needed assurance that they had truly been transformed.

For Jewish believers, Paul’s words would have reminded them of Israel’s slavery in Egypt. Just as God freed His people from bondage in the Old Testament, Christ has freed us from the bondage of sin.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several foundational truths about the Christian life:

1. The old self is dead. When we put our faith in Christ, our sinful nature was crucified with Him.
2. Sin no longer has control over us. We are no longer under sin’s rule—we belong to Christ.
3. Freedom from sin is part of salvation. Salvation is not just about forgiveness; it’s about being set free from sin’s power.
4. We are no longer slaves. Before Christ, we had no ability to resist sin. Now, we have the power to live for God.

Literary Analysis

Paul uses the phrase “our old self was crucified with him” to emphasize the finality of what happened at salvation. The word crucified points to something that was completed in the past with lasting effects. Our old self didn’t just get wounded—it was put to death.

The phrase “that the body ruled by sin might be done away with” can also be translated as “so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless.” Paul is not saying that our physical bodies disappear but that sin’s rule over us is broken.

The key idea in this verse is that of slavery and freedom. Paul makes it clear that without Christ, we are slaves to sin—helpless to resist it. But because we have been crucified with Christ, we are no longer bound by sin’s chains.

Biblical Cross-References

• Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
• Colossians 3:9-10 – “You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
• Ephesians 4:22-24 – “You were taught…to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
• John 8:34-36 – “Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’”

These verses confirm that salvation is not just about believing in Jesus—it’s about being changed by Him.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For Christians today, this verse is both a promise and a challenge.

• We don’t have to live under sin’s power. Many believers struggle with sin and feel defeated, but Paul reminds us that sin is no longer our master.
• We have a new identity. Our old self is gone. We are new creations in Christ, and we should live like it.
• We must walk in our freedom. Just because we are free doesn’t mean we automatically live in freedom. We must choose daily to walk in obedience to Christ.

Many Christians live as if they are still slaves to sin, but Paul’s message is clear: You have been set free—now live like it!

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the fact that He not only forgives us but also frees us. A loving father does not want his children to remain in chains. God didn’t just save us from the penalty of sin—He saved us from the power of sin.

Imagine a prisoner being released from jail. If he goes back and locks himself in his old cell, he is not living in the freedom that was given to him. God loves us too much to leave us in bondage. He has broken the chains and called us to live in His freedom.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse is only possible because of Jesus:

• He was crucified, and we are crucified with Him. (Romans 6:6 – “Our old self was crucified with him.”)
• He broke sin’s power, and we share in that victory. (Romans 6:10 – “The death he died, he died to sin once for all.”)
• He sets us free from slavery to sin. (John 8:36 – “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”)

Jesus didn’t just die to forgive us—He died to free us. If we are in Him, we are no longer slaves to sin!

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does it mean to you that your old self has been crucified with Christ?
2. Are there areas of your life where you still feel like a slave to sin?
3. How can understanding this verse help you resist temptation?
4. How does your new identity in Christ affect the way you live daily?
5. What are some practical ways you can walk in the freedom that Christ has given you?