What is the context?
Paul continues the connection between Christ’s death and the believer’s life. Union with His death points toward union with His resurrection. The old self is crucified with Him so that sin’s mastery is broken and the person no longer serves it as a slave.
Christ’s resurrection is decisive: He will not die again, and death no longer rules over Him. His death was once for all, and He lives to God. Paul calls believers to reckon with what their belonging to Him means.
To count oneself dead to sin and alive to God is to live from that changed allegiance. It does not mean pretending that temptation is absent. The commands that follow call for concrete choices about how people use their bodies and conduct their lives.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly understand this passage as connecting freedom from sin’s rule with participation in Christ’s death and life. Calvin on verse 6 distinguishes that freedom from an immediate end to every sinful act; Wesley on verse 6 likewise describes the old nature being put to death through union with Christ. Both connect what Christ has done with an ongoing changed life.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Hebrews 2:14–18 connects Jesus’ sharing our humanity, His death, freedom from slavery to the fear of death and His help for those being tempted. Rescue and continuing help belong to the same Lord.
The future also matters. Romans 8:23–25 describes believers waiting for the redemption of their bodies. New life now and the hope of resurrection belong together; Paul does not limit God’s saving work to an inward feeling or abandon the body’s future.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.