WHAT SHALL WE SAY THEN? (τ ουν ερουμεν?). "A debater's phrase" (Morison). Yes, and an echo of the rabbinical method of question and answer, but also an expression of exultant victory of grace versus sin. But Paul sees the possible perversion of this glorious grace.SHALL WE CONTINUE IN SIN? (επι... [ Continue Reading ]
DIED TO SIN (απεθανομεν τη αμαρτια). Second aorist active of αποθνησκω and the dative case. When we surrendered to Christ and took him as Lord and Saviour. Qualitative relative (οιτινες, we the very ones who).HOW (πως). Rhetorical question.... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST (εβαπτισθημεν εις Χριστον). First aorist passive indicative of βαπτιζω. Better, "were baptized unto Christ or in Christ." The translation "into" makes Paul say that the union with Christ was brought to pass by means of baptism, which is not his idea, for Paul was not a s... [ Continue Reading ]
WE WERE BURIED THEREFORE WITH HIM BY MEANS OF BAPTISM UNTO DEATH (συνεταφημεν ουν αυτω δια του βαπτισματος εις τον θανατον). Second aorist passive indicative of συνθαπτω, old verb to bury together with, in N.T. only here and Colossians 2:12. With associative instrumental case (αυτω) and "by means... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF WE HAVE BECOME UNITED WITH HIM BY THE LIKENESS OF HIS DEATH (ε γαρ συμφυτο γεγοναμεν τω ομοιωματ του θανατου αυτου). Condition of the first class, assumed to be true. Συμφυτο is old verbal adjective from συμφυω, to grow together. Baptism as a picture of death and burial symbolizes our like... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR OLD MAN (ο παλαιος ημων ανθρωπος). Only in Paul (here, Colossians 3:9; Ephesians 4:22).WAS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM (συνεσταυρωθη). See on Galatians 2:19 for this boldly picturesque word. This took place not at baptism, but only pictured there. It took place when "we died to sin" (verse Romans 6:... [ Continue Reading ]
IS JUSTIFIED (δεδικαιωτα). Perfect passive indicative of δικαιοω, stands justified, set free from, adding this great word to death and life of verses Romans 6:1; Romans 6:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH CHRIST (συν Χριστω). As pictured by baptism, the crucifixion with Christ of verse Romans 6:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
DIETH NO MORE (ουκετ αποθνησκε). "Christ's particular death occurs but once" (Shedd). See Hebrews 10:10. A complete refutation of the "sacrificial" character of the "mass.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DEATH THAT HE DIED (ο απεθανεν). Neuter relative, cognative accusative with απεθανεν.ONCE (εφαπαξ). Once and once only (Hebrews 9:26), not ποτε (once upon a time).THE LIFE THAT HE LIVETH (ο ζη). Cognate accusative of the relative.... [ Continue Reading ]
RECKON YE ALSO YOURSELVES (κα υμεις λογιζεσθε). Direct middle imperative of λογιζομα and complete proof that Paul does not mean that baptism makes one dead to sin and alive to God. That is a spiritual operation "in Christ Jesus" and only pictured by baptism. This is a plea to live up to the ideal... [ Continue Reading ]
REIGN (βασιλευετω). Present active imperative, "let not sin continue to reign" as it did once (Romans 5:12).MORTAL (θνητο). Verbal adjective from θνησκω, subject to death. The reign of sin is over with you. Self-indulgence is inconsistent with trust in the vicarious atonement.THAT YE SHOULD OBE... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER PRESENT (μηδε παριστανετε). Present active imperative in prohibition of παριστανω, late form of παριστημ, to place beside. Stop presenting your members or do not have the habit of doing so, "do not go on putting your members to sin as weapons of unrighteousness."INSTRUMENTS (οπλα). Old w... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL NOT HAVE DOMINION (ου κυριευσε). Future active indicative of κυριευω, old verb from κυριος, "shall not lord it over you," even if not yet wholly dead. Cf. 2 Corinthians 1:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT THEN? (τ ουν?). Another turn in the argument about the excess of grace.SHALL WE SIN? (αμαρτεσωμεν?). First aorist active deliberative subjunctive of αμαρτανω. "Shall we commit sin" (occasional acts of sin as opposed to the life of sin as raised by επιμενωμεν τη αμαρτια in verse Romans 6:1)... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS SERVANTS YE ARE WHOM YE OBEY (δουλο εστε ω υπακουετε). Bondservants, slaves of the one whom ye obey, whatever one's profession may be, traitors, spies sometimes they are called. As Paul used the figure to illustrate death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ and not in sin, so now he... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREAS YE WERE (ητε). Imperfect but no "whereas" in the Greek. Paul is not grateful that they were once slaves of sin, but only that, though they once were, they turned from that state.TO THAT FORM OF DOCTRINE WHEREUNTO YE WERE DELIVERED (εις ον παρεδοθητε τυπον διδαχης). Incorporation of the... [ Continue Reading ]
YE BECAME SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (εδουλωθητε τη δικαιοσυνη). First aorist passive indicative of δουλοω, to enslave. "Ye were made slaves to righteousness." You have simply changed masters, no longer slaves of sin (set free from that tyrant), but ye are slaves of righteousness. There is no midd... [ Continue Reading ]
I SPEAK AFTER THE MANNER OF MEN (ανθρωπινον λεγω). "I speak a human word." He begs pardon for using "slaving" in connection with righteousness. But it is a good word, especially for our times when self-assertiveness and personal liberty bulk so large in modern speech. See Romans 3:5; Galatians 3:... [ Continue Reading ]
FREE IN REGARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (ελευθερο τη δικαιοσυνη). Ye wore no collar of righteousness, but freely did as ye pleased. They were "free." Note dative case, personal relation, of δικαιοσυνη.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT FRUIT THEN HAD YE AT THAT TIME? (τινα ουν καρπον ειχετε τοτε?). Imperfect active, used to have. A pertinent question. Ashes in their hands now. They are ashamed now of the memory of them. The end of them is death.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE HAVE YOUR FRUIT UNTO SANCTIFICATION (εχετε τον καρπον υμων εις αγιασμον). Freedom from sin and slavery to God bring permanent fruit that leads to sanctification.AND THE END ETERNAL LIFE (το δε τελος ζωην αιωνιον). Note accusative case ζωην αιωνιον, object of εχετε (ye have), though θανατος i... [ Continue Reading ]
WAGES (οψωνια). Late Greek for wages of soldier, here of sin. See on Luke 3:14; 1 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 11:8. Sin pays its wages in full with no cut. But eternal life is God's gift (χαρισμα), not wages. Both θανατος and ζωην areETERNAL (αιωνιον).... [ Continue Reading ]