Big Idea: In chapter 6 Paul presents another blessing: new dominion. The first Adam forfeited his dominion over the earth. But Christ, the last Adam, inaugurated a new age and new covenant, restoring the lost dominion. Believers enter that new dominion by uniting with Christ’s death and resurrection: they become dead to sin and alive to God.

Understanding the Text

While Romans 3:21–5:21 developed the theme of justification, Romans 6:1–8:16 is devoted to the topic of sanctification.1On the one hand, justification and sanctification are to be distinguished, as shown in table 1. On the other hand, justification and sanctification should not be completely separated, since the latter flows out of the former, as 6:1–14 demonstrates.

The Distinction between Justification and Sanctification:

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