6:4 buried with him by baptism. The references to baptism in Romans 6:3-5 clearly imply immersion, as no other mode could picture the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Likewise, immersion also portrays the death of the believer to his old life and his resurrection to a new life, with the “old man” (Romans 6:6) “dead indeed unto sin,” but with the new man “alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11). There is nothing in the baptismal waters themselves, of course, which produces this miracle, but rather the “washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5) which is accomplished by the baptism of the Holy Spirit into Christ Himself (I Corinthians 12:13). Nonetheless, the immediate submission of the new believer to the ordinance of baptism, thus identifying himself publicly with Christ and the other local believers, with all the impressive pictorial symbolism in the immersion itself, should—and normally does—produce a tremendous impact and change in his life.

6:4 should walk. The modifier “should” is better rendered “shall” (same in Romans 6:6).

6:6 old man. The term “old man” is used also by Paul in Ephesians 4:22 and Colossians 3:9, referring to the old, unregenerate nature and its sinful ways.

6:6 is crucified. This phrase should be translated “was crucified.” See note on Romans 6:2.

6:10 died unto sin once. The Greek ephipaz, translated “once” here, actually means “only once” or “once for all.” It is used just four other times, always with this specific meaning. “Five hundred brethren” saw the resurrected Christ “at once” (I Corinthians 15:6). We are sanctified through the offering of the “body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). See also Hebrews 7:27; 9:12.

6:11 reckon. We are not told to try to die unto sin, but rather to realize that, in Christ, we have died to sin! This is the greatest incentive to godly living. The grateful knowledge that we have been saved by grace, through Christ’s death for us, transforms the life and attitude in a way that fear of the law’s curse could never do.

6:11 alive unto God. If this command seems unrealistic, remember that God’s commands always imply God’s ennablings.