"Shall We Continue In Sin?"

 As Paul begins Romans 6 he asks an interesting question--"shall we continue in sin?"--and his answer is compelling: "God forbid." The nature of both question and answer is such that they demand investigation. Understanding the context in which this question and answer are found is vital if we are to understand either. Paul had been emphasizing two general themes in the previous 5 chapters--sin and grace--and now sums up what had been said in chapter 5.

Sin abounds, 5:20, reigns, 5:21, and is that which brings about spiritual death, 5:12.

But, grace also abounds, 5:17,20, it likewise reigns, 5:21 and brings justification from sin, 3:24.

Whether Paul raises this question in anticipation of what some might argue, based on what he had just said, or there was an awareness that some might raise this question in all innocence and honesty, there might be those who would conclude that one's sins don't really matter because of the abundance of God's grace. To this Paul responds, "God forbid" in vss. 2,16,21 and we now go in search of why we should not "continue in sin that grace might abound." The background and context of the chapter.

Paul gives three reasons for his negative answer to the question and each answer is in the form of a question that is intended to make the reader think.

Question 1, vss. 2b-14---"We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?" Note the words "died" and "live" and how many times they, and their synonyms, are repeated in this section. While his statement regarding baptism being a burial should certainly cause one to conclude that this action is immersion as opposed to sprinkling or pouring, such is not Paul's reason for saying this. He is making the point that in baptism there is a burial and resurrection and these actions are intended to signify a death to sin and a rising to a new life. How easy to understand and argue well for immersion as opposed to sprinkling; how difficult to grasp and live the truth that we should cease our continuing in sin. God forbid that those who have been buried should do this!

Question 2, vss. 16-20---"Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Once again, notice two key words in the question and the following verses: servants and obedience. We are the servants of what and whom we "present" ourselves to and there are only two choices: sin or obedience to God (see Matt. 6:24). "By no means" (NIV) should we, once having become "obedient from the heart to that form of teaching unto which ye were delivered" and having been "made free from sin", turn and serve sin by living in it and thereby become once again the Devil’s child!

Question 3, vss. 21-23---"What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed?"

Do you see the words "fruit," "end," "wages," "gift"? The final reason Paul gives for not continuing in sin is because of the "wages" it pays: death. Forfeit eternal life by continuing to sin with impunity? "May it never be!" (NASV)

"Shall we continue in sin...?" Absolutely not: our baptism should mean more to us than that, the one whose servant we become should deter us, and the eternal consequences of such an attitude and subsequent conduct will prevent it.

David Smitherman