Romans 6:8

Now, &c. This ver. and Romans 6:9-11 carry on, in a brief paragraph, the truth just stated, with special reference to the permanence and power of the Lord's resurrection-life, which is the pledge of the Christian's "new life." Here too the view of His resurrection-life as a life "unto God" is distinctly stated; (see below on Romans 6:12;) the point which specially affects the argument then following.

if we be dead with Christ Better, as we died with Christ; (see on Romans 6:2). Here observe that it is in different senses respectively that man "dies in Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:22), and "dies with Christ." "In Adam," he incurs death in his own person, as penalty for inherited guilt (see on ch. Romans 5:12). "With Christ" he, not in his own person, but in that of Christ, his Representative, suffers death as expiation; is viewed as having thereby exhausted the claim of the law against him; and thus arrives in the happy state of justification, with its attendant results of sanctifying change in affections and will.

we believe On the firm ground of our "death with Him."

we shall also live The future points not so much to bodily resurrection and life in glory, as to the immediate prospect, on justification, of "newness of life." Q. d., "We live, and shall continue to do so, in our near and distant future." The future "glory" is not yet the direct subject, as it is in parts of ch. 8: the future of the life of graceis in view here.

with him i.e., by connexion with Him as the Second Adam.