Paul’s interim conclusion has been that the Law has increased sin, increased the trespass or transgression. He has also said that this is good because where sin increases, so does grace. Does this mean that we have an excuse, a justification even for continuing to sin? Does what we do matter if we are forgiven and justified by grace? Are we even doing God a favour by causing an increase in grace (v1)? Paul’s response is a phrase μὴ γένοιτο which has the emphatic sense of “surely not” or “by no means”. His reason is that we have died to sin, it no longer rules over us. So why would we act as though we were still living in the realm and under the rule of sin? (v2).
Paul then draws on the symbolism of baptism to make his point. We have been baptised into Christ. Baptism is the outward declaration of our new life, that we have been united with Christ in our hearts. This means that we have been baptised, initiated into all aspects of Christ’s life. Remember that justification means that his life, his obedience has been credited to us. This includes his death. We have died to our old selves, with Christ (v3). This means that if we have been baptised into his death, then we share in his resurrection too. We are raised to new life, a life that we are called to walk in, or live out. In other words, we have a new identity and our lives should reflect that. Note that baptism by immersion with the person being placed under the water and then raised back out of it neatly captures the imagery of death, burial and resurrection. However, that’s not the primary way that Paul is using the symbol of baptism. Rather, his point is that baptism is an act of initiation, in this case into the life of Christ.
Faithroots 