Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The word "mortal" applied to our bodies is crucial here; it highlights that our physical bodies are temporary and still susceptible to sin, serving as a constant reminder that sin's dominion is fundamentally at odds with the new, eternal life we have in Christ. This means resisting sin isn't just about a future victory, but about actively choosing not to let our temporary, earthly frame be ruled by sin now.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is wrapping up his theological argument about the believer's union with Christ in death and resurrection. He’s explained that because we’ve died with Christ to sin and are now alive to God, we’re no longer slaves to sin. Now, he transitions to the practical implications of this truth, urging believers to actively resist sin's influence in their daily lives.
Paul uses strong language here, likening sin to a ruler. But what does it mean for sin to 'reign' in us today, especially when we're supposed to be 'dead to sin'?
Paul calls us to actively resist sin's rule in our lives. The word 'reign' suggests a kingly authority that sin attempts to exert over us.
The Realm of Rule
This isn't about sin being completely gone, but about who is in charge. We are called to refuse sin's imperious demands and not allow it to dictate our lives.
If sin is still active and tempting, how can we possibly stand against its reign? What empowers us to say 'no'?
While sin attempts to reign, we are not left powerless. The incredible truth is that our identity in Christ grants us the authority and the strength to resist sin's dominion.
Alive and Free
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This isn't about self-effort alone. It's about recognizing our union with Christ, who has already defeated sin and death. By His Spirit living within us, we have the capacity to live a life that is no longer dominated by sin's desires.
Understand the original words
thnētos sōma · Greek Adjective
Refers to the physical body that is subject to death and decay. It is the sphere where sin often seeks to exert its influence before the final resurrection.
epithumia · Greek Noun
Strong desires or cravings, often used in a negative sense to describe the uncontrolled longings of the fallen nature.
This verse echoes the struggle against sin's dominion, stating that if one does not do well, 'sin is lurking at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.' This highlights the ongoing battle for control that Romans 6:12 addresses.
Joshua 24:15Joshua's challenge, 'choose this day whom you will serve,' directly parallels the choice presented in Romans 6:12: whether to obey sin or to serve God. It emphasizes the personal responsibility in the battle against sin's reign.
Colossians 3:5This passage calls believers to 'put to death' their earthly members, including immorality, impurity, and evil desire, which directly relates to not letting sin reign in the mortal body. It shows the practical outworking of the command in Romans 6:12.
1 Peter 4:2Peter urges believers not to spend the rest of their earthly lives in the lusts of men but for the will of God, which resonates with the command in Romans 6:12 to not obey sin's passions in the mortal body.
henryRomans 6:11-15: "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
6:11-15 The strongest motives against sin, and to enforce holiness, are here stated. Being made free from the reign of sin, alive unto God, and having the prospect of eternal life, it becomes believers to be greatly concerned to advance thereto. But, as unholy lusts are not quite rooted out in this life, it must be the care of the Christian to resist their motions,…
cambridgeRomans 6:12: "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."
12 . Let not sin therefore reign ] Here begins the direct moral appeal to the will. This till now has been either withheld, (while the Divine motive was being explained,) or made only indirectly, as in Romans 6:2 ; Romans 6:6 , and Romans 3:31 .—Notice how perfectly free and natural is the appeal to the will. reign ] This word implies sin’s presence still in the “mortal body” of the just…
The word "mortal" applied to our bodies is crucial here; it highlights that our physical bodies are temporary and still susceptible to sin, serving as a constant reminder that sin's dominion is fundamentally at odds with the new, eternal life we have in Christ. This means resisting sin isn't just about a future victory, but about actively choosing not to let our temporary, earthly frame be ruled by sin now.
Paul is wrapping up his theological argument about the believer's union with Christ in death and resurrection. He’s explained that because we’ve died with Christ to sin and are now alive to God, we’re no longer slaves to sin. Now, he transitions to the practical implications of this truth, urging believers to actively resist sin's influence in their daily lives.
Paul is wrapping up his theological argument about the believer's union with Christ in death and resurrection. He’s explained that because we’ve died with Christ to sin and are now alive to God, we’re no longer slaves to sin. Now, he transitions to the practical implications of this truth, urging believers to actively resist sin's influence in their daily lives.
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions." — The word "mortal" applied to our bodies is crucial here; it highlights that our physical bodies are temporary and still susceptible to sin, serving as a constant reminder that sin's dominion is funda…
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Last reviewed October 2026