Meaning of Count Yourselves in Romans 6:11
Understanding "Count Yourselves" in Romans 6:11
Romans 6:11 instructs believers to "count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus" [1]. This verse is part of Paul's argument about the believer's union with Christ and its implications for their relationship with sin.
The surrounding context in Romans 6 discusses the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection. Paul explains that just as Christ died to sin once and for all, believers should consider themselves dead to sin's power and alive to God in Christ Jesus [4]. The literary context emphasizes the transformative effect of being "in Christ."
The phrase "count yourselves" translates a Greek verb (logizomai) that means to reckon or consider something as true, often despite contrary appearances [3]. In this context, believers are to consider themselves dead to sin, not in the sense that they are sinless, but that they are no longer slaves to sin. This reckoning is based on their union with Christ, who died to sin and was raised to new life.
The key terms here are "dead to sin" and "alive to God." Being "dead to sin" means that believers are no longer under sin's dominion or condemnation. Being "alive to God" signifies their new status as those who are united with Christ and live under God's grace [4, 5].
Interpreters have understood "count yourselves" in various ways. Adam Clarke suggests that believers should "die as truly unto sin, as he died for sin. Live as truly unto God, as he lives with God" [3]. John Gill emphasizes that believers should believe their discharge from sin and not fear condemnation or death on its account, since Christ has died for sin [4]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note that the phrase "dead indeed unto sin" means being dead on the one hand to sin, highlighting the definitive break with sin that occurs in union with Christ [5].
The Tyndale House commentary on related passages sheds light on the concept of being "made right with God" through identification with Christ and the Spirit's work, as seen in 1 Corinthians 6:11 [6]. This understanding underscores the transformative nature of the believer's union with Christ.
In tradition, Romans 6:11 has been used to emphasize the believer's new status in Christ and the implications for their life. It has been seen as a call to live out the reality of their union with Christ, being dead to sin and alive to God.
The historical setting of Romans, written by Paul to the Roman church in the mid-1st century, underscores the relevance of this passage to early Christian communities struggling with the implications of their faith [2].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 6:11 (BSB) — So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
- Romans “Romans 6:21 (Rotherham) — What fruit, therefore, had ye then—in things for which ye now are taking shame to yourselves? For, the end of those things, is death.”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 6:11: Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead - Die as truly unto sin, as he died for sin. Live as truly unto God, as he lives with God. This seems to be the spirit of the apostle's meaning.”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 6:11: Likewise reckon ye also yourselves,.... Two things the apostle would have believers consider of themselves, and reckon themselves, to be, in consequence of their relation to Christ, who was dead, but is alive, and as agreeable thereunto: the one is, that they would look upon themselves to be dead indeed unto sin: believe their discharge from it, and not fear condemnation and death on account of it; and that it shall not be imputed to them, or have any damning power over them, since Christ has died unto it, or for it; and therefore should have no fellowship with it, ”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 6:11: Likewise--even as your Lord Himself. reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed--"dead on the one hand" unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord--(The words, "our Lord," at the close of this verse, are wanting in the best manuscripts.) Note, (1) "Antinomianism is not only an error; it is a falsehood and a slander" [HODGE]. That "we should continue in sin that grace may abound," not only is never the deliberate sentiment of any real believer in the doctrine of Grace, but is abhorrent to every Christian mind, as a monstrous abuse ”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 6:11: 6:11 Following the strong warning of 6:9-10, Paul reaffirms his confidence in the genuineness of his readers’ conversion. • you were cleansed (cp. Acts 22:16): Cleanliness is a metaphor for the righteousness that comes from forgiveness (see Titus 3:5). They were made holy by God himself (see 1 Cor 1:2). • They were made right with God by their identification with the Lord Jesus Christ and by the transforming work of the Spirit of our God. God has forgiven them and views them as righteous (see Rom 1:17; 3:21-26), and their lives have really been changed for ”