The New Life in Christ

6 What should we say then?^(A) Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?^{(B) 2} Absolutely not!^(C) How can we who died to sin^(D) still live in it? ³ Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized^(E) into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?^{(F) 4} Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death,^(G) in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead^(H) by the glory of the Father,^(I) so we too may walk in newness^[a] of life.^{(J) 5} For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death,^(K) we will certainly also be^[b] in the likeness of his resurrection. ⁶ For we know that our old self^[c](L) was crucified with him^(M) so that the body ruled by sin^[d] might be rendered powerless^(N) so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, ⁷ since a person who has died^(O) is freed^[e] from sin. ⁸ Now if we died with Christ,^(P) we believe that we will also live with him, ⁹ because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead,^(Q) will not die again. Death no longer rules over him.^{(R) 10} For the death he died, he died to sin once for all time; but the life he lives, he lives to God. ¹¹ So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin^(S) and alive to God in Christ Jesus.^[f]

¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey^[g] its desires. ¹³ And do not offer any parts^[h] of it to sin^(T) as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God,^(U) and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. ¹⁴ For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law^(V) but under grace.^(W)

From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God

¹⁵ What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?^(X) Absolutely not!^{(Y) 16} Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone^[i] as obedient slaves,^(Z) you are slaves of that one you obey^(AA)—either of sin leading to death^(AB) or of obedience leading to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin,^(AC) you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching to which you were handed^[j] over,^{(AD) 18} and having been set free from sin,^(AE) you became enslaved to righteousness. ¹⁹ I am using a human analogy^(AF) because of the weakness of your flesh.^[k] For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification. ²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with regard to righteousness.^{[l](AG) 21} So what fruit was produced^[m] then from the things you are now ashamed of?^(AH) The outcome of those things is death.^{(AI) 22} But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God,^(AJ) you have your fruit, which results in sanctification^(AK)—and the outcome is eternal life!^{(AL) 23} For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.^(AM)

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.^(A) The life I now live in the body,^[a] I live by faith in the Son of God,^(B) who loved^(C) me^(D) and gave himself^(E) for me.^{(F) 21} I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law,^(G) then Christ died^(H) for nothing.

²⁵ I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean.^(A) I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.^{(B) 26} I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;^(C) I will remove your heart of stone^[a] and give you a heart of flesh.^{(D) 27} I will place my Spirit within you^(E) and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances.^(F)

²⁴ He himself bore our sins^(A) in his body^(B) on the tree;^(C) so that, having died to sins,^(D) we might live for righteousness.^(E) By his wounds^[a](F) you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray,^[b](G) but you have now returned to the Shepherd^(H) and Overseer^[c] of your souls.

Sons and Heirs

²⁷ For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.^(A)