Romans · Lesson 8
Dead to Sin, Alive to God
Setting
The truth that where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, could leave the false impression that God’s free gift of justification encourages sinning. Through the voice of the interlocutor, Paul immediately states this possible objection to the gospel and answers it by showing how the life of a believer is decidedly cut off from sin and completely dedicated to righteousness.
Did you know?
- In this passage, Paul uses a few Greek compound words with the meaning of “together” when speaking of the believer’s union with Christ: “buried together” (); “united together” (); “crucified together” (); and “live together” ().
- Likeness (): In the New Testament, this word means the copy of an object and often denotes a physical representation (e.g. ; ; ; ; ).
Outline
- Union with Christ in His His Death and Resurrection
- Being Slaves of Righteousness
Questions
On the whole lesson
Note that the recurring theme of death and life runs through the entire passage. What is Paul’s message behind this theme?
Likewise, what important point does Paul make through the repeated use of the analogy of lordship and slavery?
· Union with Christ in His His Death and Resurrection
How is union with Christ central to this segment?
What do we learn from this segment about: a. The necessity of baptism? b. The effect of baptism? c. The form of baptism? d. Christian life after baptism?
Why is the command word “consider” so important ()? How does it help make a difference in how we live our lives as Christians?
· Being Slaves of Righteousness
How is the previous segment related to this segment?
What do these commands mean to you in practical terms? a. “Do not let (sin) reign” (); b. “Do not present your members” and “present your members” ():
Why does a believer not have any excuse to keep sinning?
How are we not under law but under grace ()?
What is “the standard of teaching” to which we have been committed ()?
Is obedience contrary to freedom?
Why is obedience so important for a Christian?
How do you consider yourself a slave of righteousness in your daily life?
What are the respective consequences of being a slave to sin and being a slave to righteousness (, 22)?
How is this segment a source of encouragement?
The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (). Based on what we have learned in Romans so far, how do we receive this gift of God?