Romans 6:1–23: Dead to Sin, Alive to God (two sessions)

Read 6:1–2 with 5:20. What question does Paul raise, and why might 5:20 provoke it? How does he answer, and on what ground?

In 6:3–4, into what were we baptized? With whom were we buried, and for what purpose? Compare Col 2:12.

Read 6:5–10. What has happened to “our old self,” and for what purpose? What does Paul say about Christ's death and life in 6:9–10?

In 6:11–14, what are believers to count themselves? What must they not let sin do, and what are they to present to God? Why will sin not be their master?

In 6:3–4, is Paul thinking chiefly of the water rite, or of Spirit baptism and union with Christ (compare Gal 3:27; 1 Cor 12:13; Col 2:12)? How do the Reformed, Baptist, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic traditions read baptism, and on what grounds? What is clear whichever view is taken?

Is the crucifixion of “our old self” (6:6) a definitive break, done once for all, or an ongoing process? Compare Col 3:9 and Eph 4:22–24. What is “the body of sin,” and what does σύμφυτοι (symphytoi, 6:5) mean?

The BSB renders 6:7 “anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” The Greek verb is δεδικαίωται (dedikaiōtai), from the verb usually translated “justify.” Does 6:7 speak of acquittal, or of release from sin's power? What in 6:6 and 6:18, 22 bears on the question?

Are “we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection” (6:5) and “we will also live with Him” (6:8) about the future resurrection, or about new life now? Compare 8:11. What does “once for all” (6:10) add? Compare Heb 7:27.

Does union with Christ mean that believers no longer sin at all? If not, what has changed? In 6:14, is “sin shall not be your master” a promise or a command, and why is it true of those “under grace”?

When you are tempted to excuse a sin because God forgives, how does 6:1–4 answer you?

Paul says to “count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (6:11). What would that look like this week when a familiar temptation comes?

Paul says to “present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness” (6:13). Name one part of your daily life (speech, time, money, screens) to present to God this week. Why is the struggle not a sign that union with Christ has failed?