Chapter 6
Believers
must die to sin, and live to God
|
1,
2
|
This
is urged by their Christian baptism and union with Christ
|
3–10
|
They
are made alive to God
|
11–15
|
And
are freed from the dominion of sin
|
16–20
|
The
end of sin is death, and of holiness everlasting life
|
21–23
|
Verses 1, 2
The
apostle is very full in pressing the necessity of holiness. He does not explain
away the free grace of the gospel, but he shows that connexion between
justification and holiness are inseparable. Let the thought be abhorred, of
continuing in sin that grace may abound. True believers are dead to sin,
therefore they ought not to follow it. No man can at the same time be both dead
and alive. He is a fool who, desiring to be dead unto sin, thinks he may live
in it.
Verses 3–10
Baptism
teaches the necessity of dying to sin, and being as it were buried from all
ungodly and unholy pursuits, and of rising to walk with God in newness of life.
Unholy professors may have had the outward sign of a death unto sin, and a new
birth unto righteousness, but they never passed from the family of Satan to
that of God. The corrupt nature, called the old man, because derived from our
first father Adam, is crucified with Christ, in every true believer, by the
grace derived from the cross. It is weakened and in a dying state, though it
yet struggles for life, and even for victory. But the whole body of sin,
whatever is not according to the holy law of God, must be done away, so that
the believer may no more be the slave of sin, but live to God, and find
happiness in his service.
Verses 11–15
The
strongest motives against sin, and to enforce holiness, are here stated. Being
made free from the reign of sin, alive unto God, and having the prospect of
eternal life, it becomes believers to be greatly concerned to advance thereto.
But, as unholy lusts are not quite rooted out in this life, it must be the care
of the Christian to resist their motions, earnestly striving, that, through
Divine grace, they may not prevail in this mortal state. Let the thought that
this state will soon be at an end, encourage the true Christian, as to the
motions of lusts, which so often perplex and distress him. Let us present all
our powers to God, as weapons or tools ready for the warfare, and work of
righteousness, in his service. There is strength in the covenant of grace for
us. Sin shall not have dominion. God’s promises to us are more powerful and
effectual for mortifying sin, than our promises to God. Sin may struggle in a
real believer, and create him a great deal of trouble, but it shall not have dominion;
it may vex him, but it shall not rule over him. Shall any take occasion from
this encouraging doctrine to allow themselves in the practice of any sin? Far
be such abominable thoughts, so contrary to the perfections of God, and the
design of his gospel, so opposed to being under grace. What can be a stronger
motive against sin than the love of Christ? Shall we sin against so much
goodness, and such love?
Verses 16–20
Every man
is the servant of the master to whose commands he yields himself; whether it be
the sinful dispositions of his heart, in actions which lead to death, or the
new and spiritual obedience implanted by regeneration. The apostle rejoiced now
they obeyed from the heart the gospel, into which they were delivered as into a
mould. As the same metal becomes a new vessel, when melted and recast in
another mould, so the believer has become a new creature. And there is great
difference in the liberty of mind and spirit, so opposite to the state of
slavery, which the true Christian has in the service of his rightful Lord, whom
he is enabled to consider as his Father, and himself as his son and heir, by
the adoption of grace. The dominion of sin consists in being willingly slaves
thereto, not in being harassed by it as a hated power, struggling for victory.
Those who now are the servants of God, once were the slaves of sin.
Verses 21–23
The
pleasure and profit of sin do not deserve to be called fruit. Sinners are but
ploughing iniquity, sowing vanity, and reaping the same. Shame came into the
world with sin, and is still the certain effect of it. The end of sin is death.
Though the way may seem pleasant and inviting, yet it will be bitterness in the
latter end. From this condemnation the believer is set at liberty, when made
free from sin. If the fruit is unto holiness, if there is an active principle
of true and growing grace, the end will be everlasting life; a very happy end!
Though the way is up-hill, though it is narrow, thorny, and beset, yet
everlasting life at the end of it is sure. The gift of God is eternal life. And
this gift is through Jesus Christ our Lord. Christ purchased it, prepared it,
prepares us for it, preserves us to it; he is the All in all in our salvation.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
Rick Meyers.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. e-Sword ®: www.e-sword.net
