What is the meaning of "he who has died is freed from sin"? It could have several meanings, such as dead people do not sin because they have been immobilized. Remember, however, sin began in the spirit realm so dying and passing into the spirit realm does not solve the problem of sin.

It appears that the expression "he who has died is freed from sin" is an integral part of the preceding verse. Our adamic nature has been crucified so the body of sin may be destroyed, the purpose being that we should not be the slave of sin; for, or because, he who has thus died on the cross with Christ is no longer guilty of infractions of the Law of Moses, the law that defines sin.

How do you put this together?

From our point of view the meaning is as follows: If we are willing to count ourselves dead with Christ on the cross we no longer have to deal with the requirements of the Law of Moses. In addition we have been forgiven our sins as defined by any other law.

A study of Paul's epistles will reveal he often referred to the Law as the background from which he was advancing. Paul viewed sin, on the one hand, as any transgression of the Law of Moses. Then Paul viewed sin, on the other hand, as the works of the flesh without reference to the Law. It is important when studying Paul to keep this distinction in mind. Otherwise, we conclude that it is not important whether or not we gain victory over sin.

Paul is saying, "We can forget about circumcision, the Sabbath, and the dietary laws. The old nature is reckoned dead with Christ." The concept of freedom from the Law on the basis of death is elaborated in the seventh chapter of Romans.

We are completely justified and acquitted as far as the guilt of sin is concerned sin as defined by the Law of Moses and all other moral law.

Christ has borne our judgment on the cross. We now are totally without condemnation and are free to proceed with the salvation of God through Jesus Christ.

I think Evangelical teaching sees this part clearly. The problem has arisen over what comes next. Does our freedom from condemnation signify we now are without a sin nature or that the actions of our sin nature are not judged as sin by the Lord? Hardly this, for then the remainder of the chapter would make little sense.

Remember, the purpose of our crucifixion and the doing away with the body of sin is that we not be the slave of sin. Now we are speaking of sinful behavior as defined by the eternal moral law of God, not necessarily the ordinances of the Law of Moses.

Our adamic nature has been crucified with Christ. The purpose is that the body of sin may be destroyed. The further purpose is that we not remain as a slave of sin. We no longer need be concerned with the finger-pointing of the Law of Moses because the Law does not address those who are dead.

What comes next? Newness of life. Freedom from the bondages of sin accomplished initially by obedience to the commandments of the Apostles and finally by the formation of the Sinless One in us. All of this without further reference to the Law of Moses.

If newness of life does not follow our crucifixion with Christ, then we hang there on the cross without bringing forth the righteous fruit of the new creation. We have been forgiven but the program of redemption has been aborted.