“Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more dominion over him” (KJV, Rom. 6:9).
“Knowing”
The Christian must know what has taken place in the life of Christ and himself. It will do no good to go about life carried around by every wind of doctrine. Knowing comes through knowledge. Thus the Christian must not take Paul’s words about knowledge puffing up but love building up out of context. Knowledge is essential for the Christian but not all knowledge.
Knowledge of the Bible is of the utmost importance. If someone does not know what the Bible says, how could he ever hope to obey? If someone does not know about Jesus and what He has done, how could he ever hope to believe rightly?
Nevertheless, the modern man is often swept away into a world that cries for his attention, and thus he increases in knowledge of things that will not last for eternity. Satan is in the world, and his primary tactic is deception. But if the Christian does not know right from wrong and truth from error, he will never be able to discern when the enemy is striking.
The Greek word translated as knowing is eido, which carries the meaning of knowing, considering, understanding, and even being sure of. This last definition is of importance for the reader of Romans 6. The Christian’s knowing must go beyond simply knowing what the Bible says to being sure of what it conveys.
Paul has highlighted various matters the Christian must know in Romans 6:1-11. He has said, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Rom. 6:3). Later Paul says, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Rom. 6:6). Finally, he tells us, “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more dominion over him” (KJV, Rom. 6:9). Thus, Paul was highly concerned that his listeners would know what took place in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and what that meant for the Christian.
“that Christ being raised from the dead”
But what was it that Paul stressed in Romans 6:9. Here we see that Christ has been raised from the dead. The resurrection of Christ is an outstanding fact of Christianity. The event itself is of the highest importance. Paul has stated, “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain… And if Christ be not raised your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:14, 17). Thus, the resurrection of Christ is an essential element of faith and preaching. If the resurrection had not happened, the faith of the Christian would be in vain.
Nevertheless, Paul was convinced, as is the Christian, that Christ has risen from the dead. But how was Christ raised from the dead? First, the Bible tells the reader that the Father raised Christ from the dead. In reference to the Father, Paul said, “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:19-20). The Father, by His mighty power, raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand.
Nevertheless, Jesus, in His divinity, was also at work in raising the man Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus has said, “…Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). John went on to say, “But he spake of the temple of his body” (John 2:21). Therefore, both the Father and the Son played their part in the resurrection.
Finally, one can see the Holy Spirit worked with the Father and the Son. Peter said, “For Christ also hath suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Pet. 3:18). While Christ died for sins, He did not stay dead. Instead, the Holy Spirit raised the Son from the dead.
“dieth no more”
Christ was raised from the dead to die no more. The God-Man Christ Jesus dwells in glory with the Father. He took on flesh when He came to earth, and His body was laid in a tomb after His death. But the Father, Christ’s divinity, and the Holy Spirit raised the man Jesus Christ from the dead. Death could not hold Jesus. The grave could not shout the cry of victory. Satan could not crush the head of the Son but only bruise His heel.
When Jesus Christ died for sinful man, the One Who knew no sin became sin so that man could become the righteousness of God. As Jesus hung on the cross, the earth turned to darkness. The wrath of God and sorrow of God were depicted in the darkness, and while man was unable to see the Son because of the dark sky, even the Father Himself turned His face away.
Christ died quicker than the average man when hung on a cross. He did not hold onto His life or seek to save it. Instead, Christ gave Himself as an offering for mankind. The resurrection is important at this point in the story. The resurrection tells the Christian that God accepted Jesus Christ’s death and offering. Jesus then rose from the dead and was vindicated before a watching world.
He came back to the earth but in a glorified state. People could see Him, but when they did, they saw a new Christ, One Who could not die again. It would have been impossible for the Roman soldiers to have arrested Christ and killed him on the cross for the second time. Even if the Jews wanted to bring Him before the Sanhedrin and yell “crucify,” it would have been useless.
Paul tells the reader that Christ died and rose from the dead, never to die again. It is through Christ’s resurrected life that cannot be overcome by death that Christ assumes His role as King and Priest. Scripture says, “And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Heb. 7:15-17). Jesus has risen from the grave and will never see the grave again.
“death no more dominion over him”
The reason being is that death has no more dominion over Him. The Bible speaks of death coming once and then judgment. Christ came and died and was judged. He took upon Himself the sin of man and absorbed the wrath of God. However, at the same time, God looked upon Christ and found Him not guilty.
Christ was never guilty of commiting sin, but this does not mean He could not pay the debt. If a court of law told a man he must pay one million dollars or suffer the consequences, surely, someone else could pay the fine while not being guilty of the crime. The sin of man was credited to Christ’s account, but it does not make Christ guilty of sin.
Christ died but rose from the dead in triumph. So the Christian will as well. The force of Romans 6:1-10 is that what has happened to Christ has happened to the believer. Christ rose from the dead, and so does the believer through union with Christ.
As a result of Christ rising from the grave and defeating death, Paul could later say, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:14). Death and sin no longer have dominion. The Christian has risen with Jesus.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for my union with Jesus. Open my eyes to help me understand what You have done for me in Jesus on a greater level. In Jesus’ name, Amen.