KNOWING THIS

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” (Rom. 6:6).

In the context of Romans the sixth chapter, Paul is answering his own rhetorical question, “Shall we continue to sin that grace may abound?” (Verse 1). Paul reminds them of something of which they should already be aware. This is indicated by the use of the phrase "Knowing this." What should they have known? Their "Old man" was crucified or, to put it another way, the "Old man" was put out of service. Paul goes on to describe what characterized the "Old man." The "Old man" consisted of the "Body of sin." This body is not sin by accident of birth in that sin is somehow inherited, and thus cannot do anything but sin. This body is persistent in sin in that it seeks satisfaction in the pleasure brought to it. Just as a person eats and is hungry again, the "Body of sin" seeks satisfaction continuously. Thus, so as to be pleasing to God by submitting to His will, the "Body of sin" must be rendered inoperative. It must be put out of order. This is the literal meaning of the phrase "Done away with." Compare this phrase with those found in 1 Corinthians 13:8 & 10. The words fail and vanish are translated from the same word in the Greek translated "Done away." The process by which the "Body of sin" is put out of service is through baptism (Verse 3). This process is described in more detail in Colossians 2:11-13. Paul's point is simple: if the old man "Body of sin" is put out of service, the child of God is no longer a servant of sin, but rather is free (Verse 7).

When we get the urge to sin, we need to be reminded of our baptism when our old man was crucified and the “Body of sin” was put out of commission. Do not allow the old man to rear his ugly head again. Keep reminding yourself of who you are in Jesus Christ and who it is you are supposed to serve by "Knowing this.”