Romans 6:6 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Our old man— Our wicked and corrupt fleshly self, Galatians 5:24.Ephesians 4:22. Colossians 2:11. 1 Peter 4:1. The utter destruction of the body of sin in us, is certainly intended in the Gospel; but the particular import of the Greek word καταργηθη, is, to make void, debilitate, enervate, disannul, abolish, or depose. Compare chap. Romans 3:31 Romans 4:14. 1 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 13:8; 1 Corinthians 15:24. Ephesians 2:15. 2 Timothy 1:10. It will conduce much to the understanding of St. Paul in this and the two following Chapter s, if it be observed that these phrases, to serve sin,—to be servants of sin,—sin reigning in our mortal bodies,—to obey sin in the lusts of our bodies,—to yield our members instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, or servants of uncleanness,—and of iniquity unto iniquity,—to be free from righteousness,—to walk, live, or be after the flesh,—to be carnally-minded, all signify one and the same thing; namely, the giving ourselves up to the conduct of our carnal and sinful appetites; allowing any of them the command over us, and the conduct and prevalency in determining us. On the contrary, the walking after the spirit, or in newness of life,—the crucifixion of the old man,—the destruction of the body of sin, the deliverance from the body of death,—to be freed from sin,—to be dead to sin, and alive unto God,—to yield ourselves unto God, as those who are alive from the dead,—to yield our members servants of righteousness unto holiness, or instruments of righteousness unto God,—to be servants of obedience unto righteousness,— made free from sin,—servants of righteousness,—to be after the Spirit, to be spiritually-minded,—to mortify the deeds of the body,—do all signify a constant steady purpose and sincere endeavour to obey the law and will of God in every thing through grace; these several expressions being used in several places, as best serves the occasion, and illustrates the sense.