The Old Man Was Crucified

A Sermon on Romans 6:5-6

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Scripture

Romans 6:5-6 ESV KJV

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we …

Sermon Description

What does it mean when Christians say to “put off the old man”? Sometimes, Christians can get carried away with the notion of the “old self,” saying they need the old self to die and be crucified. However, in this sermon from Romans 6:5–6 titled “The Old Man Was Crucified,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the old self is indeed gone and was crucified with Christ. Paul says that because the Christian is united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, any old self that was under the reign of sin has also died. Although the Christian was not physically with Christ during those acts, they were spiritually with Him. Even now, they are spiritually with Christ and growing. Instead of saying that the old self needs to die, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the Christian needs to shed old characteristics of sin. They should no longer live like the old self because He has already died. Paul guarantees that it has already been done and Christ’s people are no longer slaves to sin.

Sermon Breakdown

The sermon begins by introducing Romans 6:5-6. Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that verse 5 summarizes what Paul has said in verses 3-4 about being united with Christ in his death and resurrection through baptism. Verse 6 then expounds on the first half of verse 5.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses the meaning of "planted together" in verse 5. He says it refers to a joint growth leading to essential union, like branches in a vine. It emphasizes the intimate union believers have with Christ.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "likeness" is used because our death and resurrection are not identical to Christ's, though we share in the benefits and results. Christ's were unique as the Son of God, while ours are spiritual.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones says "shall be" in verse 5 refers not just to the future bodily resurrection but to new life believers have now. Verse 11 shows Paul is talking about reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive to God now.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones says verse 5 teaches the certainty that if we share in Christ's death, we will share in his resurrection. Our future glorification is guaranteed.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones introduces verse 6, noting "knowing this" refers to something believers should be certain of by faith, not experience. He asks if we really know and live in light of this truth.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses the meaning of "old man." He says it does not refer to the carnal nature, our pre-Christian moral being, or the flesh. Rather, it refers to who we were in Adam, under sin and wrath. This "old man" was crucified with Christ.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that "crucified with" does not mean a slow process but a definitive past event. Christ died once, and we died with him. The "old man" is gone.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones reconciles this with verses calling us to put off the old man. We are to put off living like the old man, not the old man himself. We are to live like the new man we are in Christ.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes this is objective truth to believe, not experience. Like Abraham, we believe God's word about what Christ has done and who we are in him. Experience follows faith.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes this answers the objection in verse 1. God's grace delivers us from sin to new life in Christ.

The Book of Romans

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.