What does "our old self was crucified with Him" mean in Romans 6:6? Text of Romans 6:6 “For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” Immediate Context Paul has just said believers were “baptized into Christ Jesus… into His death” (6:3-4). Verse 5 speaks of being “united with Him in the likeness of His death.” Verse 6 explains the rationale: union with Christ’s death destroys sin’s mastery. Historical Setting of Roman Crucifixion First-century readers knew crucifixion meant public, irreversible execution. When Paul says the “old self” was crucified, he evokes an image of irrevocable death, not temporary injury. Roman records (e.g., Josephus, War 2.305) confirm crucifixion’s finality. Union With Christ: Core Pauline Doctrine Gal 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ.” Colossians 2:12 “Buried with Him in baptism.” By Spirit-wrought union, what happened to Christ legally counts for the believer. Manuscript evidence (𝔓⁴⁶, א, A) shows absolute textual unanimity on sunestaurōthē, underscoring Paul’s emphasis. Adam vs. Christ Romans 5 set up Adam as the federal head introducing sin and death. The “old self” = humanity in Adam; crucifixion with Christ ends that headship and transfers believers to Christ’s reign (5:17). Behavioral research on identity formation corroborates Scripture: a decisive shift in identity produces new behavioral patterns (see Prochaska & DiClemente’s Stages of Change model). Legal Position and Ongoing Experience • Legal: Sin’s claim in God’s courtroom is canceled (Colossians 2:14-15). • Experiential: Believers must “reckon” (logizesthe, 6:11) this fact true daily. Sanctification flows from the completed crucifixion but requires continual yielding (6:13). Baptismal Imagery First-century baptism was immediate and public. Archaeological finds at early house-church baptisteries (e.g., Dura-Europos, ca. A.D. 250) reveal murals of Adam and Christ, reflecting this passage’s theology: going under water symbolizes burial; rising symbolizes new life (6:4). Old Self in Broader Canon • Ephesians 4:22-24 contrasts putting off the “old self” with putting on the “new.” • Colossians 3:9-10 speaks of stripping off the “old man.” • Jesus predicted this reality: “The ruler of this world will be cast out” (John 12:31-32). Body of Sin Rendered Powerless Katargeō appears in papyri for canceling contracts. Sin’s “contract” over the believer is void. Yet the presence of sin lingers (7:23), awaiting final eradication at resurrection (8:23). Practical Implications 1. Assurance: The decisive break with sin has already occurred. 2. Holiness: Believers obey from a new nature, not mere will-power. 3. Evangelism: Conversion is not moral reform but death and resurrection. 4. Worship: Glory goes to God alone; self-help receives no credit. Common Misunderstandings Addressed • Mythical Language? Early creedal statements (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) and hostile witnesses (Tacitus, Annals 15.44) confirm Christ’s historical crucifixion. Our union is theological, but His cross is historical fact. • Second Blessing? Romans 6 describes every believer, not an elite group; sanctification grows from the same crucifixion all share. Eschatological Horizon Christ’s resurrection guarantees ours (6:8-9). The old self’s death ensures the new creation’s eventual bodily manifestation (8:30). Summary “Our old self was crucified with Him” declares that the entire Adamic identity of the believer died when Christ died. Sin’s legal dominion is annulled; believers now live under grace’s rule, empowered to walk in newness of life while awaiting full glorification. |
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