Romans 6:7 – justified from sin 

… that the body of Sin may be nullified, for us by no means to be still slaving to sin. For one who dies has been justified from sin.

The idea behind verse 7 is not that whoever dies is acquitted of guilt. That would make no sense. Dying does not end a person’s guilt. Indeed, dying ends criminal prosecution. After all, it makes no sense to punish a dead person. But remember that in verse 7 Paul is also not talking about justification of guilt but justification of sin (singular).

Whoever dies is justified, that is, acquitted from sin. Death puts an end to the power of sin because sin simply has no say over a dead person. A dead person cannot do anything and therefore cannot sin. Death is the result of sin on the one hand (5:12) and at the same time the end of sin. In fact, sin puts itself out of action through death.

Paul establishes these things to highlight the position of us who believe. Because we died “with Christ,” we have thus also been acquitted from sin. This is how GOD reckons. Why would we reckon otherwise? 

Delen: