What does “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” mean (Romans 6:1)?

Answer

In Romans 6:1, the apostle Paul poses a rhetorical question to believers, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” (ESV). This inquiry reflects a common critique of Paul’s teachings, both in his era and in contemporary times. Critics contend that emphasizing boundless grace could inadvertently grant a license to sin.

Paul, however, argues that those who have died to sin cannot persist in it: “By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” «God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? », (Romans 6:2, ESV). This does not imply that believers are without sin. Instead, it signifies that sin no longer dominates us: “Thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness” (verses 17–18, ESV).

In verses 3–4 of Romans 6, Paul reminds believers that they have been baptized into Christ: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (ESV). Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we have been united with Christ. Now, we can walk in newness of life.

The reason we can walk in newness of life is that “our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For the one who has died has been set free from sin” (Romans 6:6-7;ESV). The death of the old self is not a metaphor or figure of speech; insInstead, it is a spiritual reality that changes how we live.

Freedom from the power of sin is not an end but a means to righteous living. For this reason, Paul writes, “Let not sin reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness but present yourself to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you since you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:12-14;ESV). The appropriate response to God’s grace is to dedicate ourselves to righteousness rather than sin.

Romans 6 strongly opposes the notion that grace is a permit to sin. Instead of persisting in sin, we should submit to the power of the Holy Spirit: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” «If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. », (Galatians 5:25).

The practical implications of Romans 6 are plentiful. First, we must comprehend who we are in Christ: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” «Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new identity should be manifested in our thoughts, words, and actions.

Second, living under grace does not imply antinomianism (the rejection of laws or moral rules). On the contrary, grace enables and empowers believers to fulfill the righteous requirement of the law «that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. », Romans 8:4. In essence, the grace that brings salvation is also the grace that brings holiness.

Furthermore, the Christian journey is characterized by an ongoing battle against sin. In Romans 7, Paul recognizes this battle but highlights the triumph that comes through Christ. This triumph does not involve sinning more so that grace increases but conquering sin through the Holy Spirit’s strength.