Romans 6:12

Romans 6:12 serves as a vital command for believers, building upon the profound theological truths presented earlier in the chapter. Having established that Christians are dead to sin and alive unto God through identification with Christ's death and resurrection, Paul now issues a practical exhortation: do not allow sin to rule your earthly existence.

Context

This verse is the logical outflow of Paul's teaching in Romans 6. He addresses the misconception that grace encourages sin, powerfully asserting that believers have been fundamentally changed. Through baptism, they have symbolically died with Christ to their old, sinful nature and have been raised with Him to walk in "newness of life." Therefore, since sin no longer has dominion over them (as stated in Romans 6:14), the command is to actively prevent it from regaining control. It's a call to live out the spiritual reality of their salvation.

Key Themes

• Sin's Loss of Dominion: The verse implies that while sin is still present and tempting, it no longer holds the ultimate authority over a believer's life. The power structure has shifted due to Christ's work.
• The Believer's Responsibility: "Let not sin therefore reign" is an imperative, a command. It underscores that believers have a choice and an active role in resisting sin's influence, rather than passively succumbing to it. This requires intentional effort and reliance on God's grace.
• The Battle in the Mortal Body: The "mortal body" is the arena where this spiritual battle unfolds. Though our spirits are made new, our physical bodies and their desires remain susceptible to temptation, making the fight against "the lusts thereof" a daily reality.

Linguistic Insights

• "Reign" (Greek: basileuetō): This word is an imperative verb, meaning "let it not be king" or "let it not rule." It vividly portrays sin as a tyrannical monarch seeking to govern one's life. The command is to dethrone this usurper.
• "Mortal body" (Greek: thnētō sōmati): This refers to the physical body, which is subject to death and decay, and also to earthly desires and weaknesses. It highlights the ongoing tension between our renewed spirit and our unredeemed flesh.
• "Lusts" (Greek: epithymiais): While often associated with sexual desires, epithymia broadly means "strong desires" or "cravings." These can be for anything—power, greed, comfort, or illicit pleasures—that draw us away from God's will.

Practical Application

Romans 6:12 calls believers to a conscious and continuous act of surrender and resistance. It's not a passive hope but an active discipline. To prevent sin from reigning:

• Acknowledge Your New Identity: Remind yourself daily that you are alive unto God and no longer a slave to sin.
• Make Deliberate Choices: Actively choose to obey God's commands and refuse to yield to sinful inclinations. This involves presenting your body as an instrument of righteousness, as Paul explains in Romans 6:13.
• Guard Your Desires: Be aware of the "lusts" that seek to control you. Cultivate spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, and fellowship to strengthen your resolve against temptation.
• Rely on the Holy Spirit: You are not alone in this battle. The power of the Holy Spirit enables you to walk in victory over sin, fulfilling the righteousness of the law (Romans 8:4).

This verse is a constant reminder that while salvation is a free gift, living out that salvation involves an ongoing commitment to resisting sin's pull and pursuing holiness.