Romans 6:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Again note the Apostle's skill, how he unfolds his thought from the opposite side. Since the Cross and death naturally brought some into fear, he proves that these very things should strengthen them in hope. If Christ died once, Paul says, do not think that He is mortal. On the contrary, for this very reason He remains immortal, since His death was the death of death. Because He died, He dies no more.

If through Baptism we died with Christ, then we believe that we shall always have the resurrection present within us, namely the resurrection that consists in a new life. For Christ also, having risen from the dead, lives forever and dies no more.

For as Christ rose from the dead and dies no more, since He endured the death owed as recompense for our sin...

In these words the Apostle has shown sufficiently that he wishes to turn believers away from sin. Christ, he says, died once, and it is impossible for Him to die a second time, because He now has an immortal body. Therefore we all receive one Baptism. Do not, then, expect another cleansing of sins through Baptism. He rightly said that Christ died to sin, because He was not subject to death. For "He committed no sin" (1 Pet 2:22), but for our sin He accepted death.

Although death formerly had dominion over Him, it had dominion by His will.

This sacrifice, which in an extraordinary way saves our soul from certain destruction, restores for us in mystery the death of the Only-begotten Son. Although He, having risen from death, dies no more, and death no longer has dominion over Him, for He is immortal and incorruptible in Himself, nevertheless for our sake He is offered again in this mystery of the offering of the Gifts. Therefore, where His Body is eaten, there His flesh is distributed for the salvation of the people (Mt 26:26; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24). His Blood no longer stains the hands of unbelievers, but enters the hearts of those faithful to Him.

"Christ, having risen from the dead, dies no more." According both to the judgment of God's righteousness and to human judgment, one who has once borne punishment is no longer subject to liability and punishment for his sin.

But Christ died for man's sin, which He had taken upon Himself. Therefore, when He rose, death could no longer have any authority over Him, as over One without sin and as One Who had already borne punishment for sin.

In this the Apostle gives Christians a moral lesson. He teaches them that, after they have died to sin in baptism and have risen, coming alive to a holy life, they must not die again through sin by allowing themselves to fall into sin.

Having explained, as applied to us, the likeness of Christ's death, the Apostle then turns to the likeness of Christ's Resurrection. The crucified Christ rose from the dead to the glory of His Father. Yet "having been raised from the dead, He dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death He died, He died to sin once," that is, for human sin. "But the life He lives, He lives to God," that is, now eternally, to the glory of God (Rom 6:9-10).

So Christians also, as though rising when they come forth from the font of baptism, must begin to "walk in newness of life." They must see that "sin should not reign in their mortal body, that they should obey it in its lusts" (Rom 6:12).

Concerning the resurrection spoken of here, and spoken of earlier in verse 5, one must observe the following. According to the course of the Apostle's discourse, he seems to be speaking of how we must live after baptism, fleeing sin and being zealous for righteousness.

Yet one may also see here a reference to the future resurrection, whose outline is laid down in regeneration, which is resurrection in the spirit. In the brightness of the future resurrection, the Apostle points to a motive for brightness and purity of life here.

He speaks, as it were, in this way. We died with Christ in baptism. Without doubt, we shall also rise with Him. Take heed, then, to keep yourself after baptism, so that you may rise in glory.

Here is the foundation of the obligation to sinlessness, and of the hope of standing firm in it. The risen Christ dies no more. You too must not allow yourself to die through sin.

Death has no dominion over the risen Christ. Believe and hope that sin also will not gain dominion over you, when you are clothed with the power of Christ the Lord, Who is not subject to death.

Only be faithful to what you received in baptism. Preserve hatred for sin and love for righteousness. If you remained alone, then your new life and your safety from sin would certainly be unreliable.

But since you are with Christ, be of good hope. With Him you are strong with the strength with which He is strong. For all that is in Him is also yours, by His goodness and love for mankind.