An Introduction to Romans 6
A Sermon on Romans 6:1-2
Originally preached Oct. 3, 1958
Scripture
1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Romans 6:1–2 titled “An Introduction to Romans 6,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains why this passage is so important. Here is found the great truth of justification by faith alone through the work of Christ alone. He explains why justification by faith alone rightly understood does not lead to a life of sin and immorality. This is because the gospel not only makes the Christian righteous before God, but also gives them the Holy Spirit and the desire to live a life of purity. It is only by abusing the doctrine of justification by faith alone that people are encouraged to sin and to break the law of God. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how this is a deeply practical doctrine that has profound and lasting impact for how the Christian lives as a follower of Jesus Christ. All who come to Jesus as repentant sinners and believe upon His name will be saved, and justified by faith in Christ alone.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle is not starting an entirely new section or theme in chapter 6. He is continuing and elaborating on what he has been discussing in chapter 5.
- Chapter 6 deals with the question of whether the doctrine of salvation by grace alone leads to antinomianism or lawlessness. The apostle shows that is not the case.
- Verses 1-2 raise the question of whether we should continue in sin so that grace may abound. The apostle answers with a strong "God forbid!" or "May it never be!"
- True preaching of salvation by grace alone will often be misunderstood as leading to lawlessness. But properly understood, it does not lead to that.
- The apostle will deal with this question in two ways: doctrinally (verses 3-14) and practically/experimentally (verses 15-23).
- In verses 3-11, the apostle elaborates on our union with Christ, showing how it is incompatible with continuing in sin.
- In verses 12-14, the apostle makes a general appeal based on what he has said.
- The key phrase in verse 2 is "died to sin" (not "are dead to sin"). This refers to something that happened definitively in the past.
- "Died to sin" refers to when we ceased to be in Adam and came to be in Christ. The apostle will expound on what this means.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans 6: Understanding Grace and Sin
What is the main topic of Romans chapter 6 according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Romans chapter 6 deals with the danger of antinomianism - the false idea that since God's grace abounds where sin abounds, Christians can continue in sin to make grace increase. He explains that chapter 6 is not the beginning of a new section on sanctification as commonly thought, but rather addresses a potential misunderstanding of the doctrine of justification by faith that he had been explaining in previous chapters.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the relationship between Romans chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that chapters 6 and 7 are essentially a "kind of parenthesis" between chapters 5 and 8. The main argument about assurance and the finality of justification runs from chapter 5 to chapter 8. Chapters 6 and 7 interrupt this flow to address two potential objections: chapter 6 deals with the danger of antinomianism (whether grace encourages sin), and chapter 7 explains the place and function of the law in God's plan of redemption.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is a good test of whether someone is preaching the true gospel?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "True preaching of the Gospel of salvation by grace alone always leads to the possibility of this charge being brought against it" - the charge of antinomianism. He states: "If my preaching and presentation of the Gospel of salvation doesn't expose it to that misunderstanding, well, then it isn't the gospel." He adds that if a preacher's message about salvation has never been misunderstood as potentially promoting sin, they should reexamine their sermons to ensure they're truly preaching the New Testament salvation offered to the ungodly.
What is the correct translation of "dead to sin" in Romans 6:2 according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that the Authorized Version's translation "dead to sin" is poor. He explains it should be translated as "died to sin" using the aorist tense, which refers to a definite event in the past that happened once and forever at a specific point in time. It's not an ongoing process or current state but a completed action that occurred at one unique point in a believer's history - specifically when they ceased to be "in Adam" and began to be "in Christ."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones divide Romans chapter 6 in his analysis?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones divides Romans chapter 6 into two main sections: 1. Verses 1-14: Deals with the danger of antinomianism in a "more or less purely doctrinal manner" by elaborating on the doctrine of believers' union with Christ 2. Verses 15-23: Addresses the same issue but in a "more practical" and "more experimental" manner
Within the first section, he further divides it into: - Verses 1-2: Raising the question and giving a general answer - Verses 3-11: A detailed answer and exposition of the doctrine of union with Christ - Verses 12-14: A general appeal based on the doctrine
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.