Now let’s look more closely at the Greek word erroneously translated “destroy” in Rom 6:6 of the KJV. This mistranslation leads many to the erroneous idea that Sin has been “destroyed.” Actually, here in Romans 6:6 Paul is saying the “body of Sin” has been “made of no effect” (cf., Strongs #2673) in the flesh of believers.

“Knowing this, that OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED With Him, (so) the body of sin might be DESTROYED (correction, Greek, kartargeo, Made of No Effect), (so) that henceforth we should not serve sin. ⁷ For He That Is Dead Is Freed From (The Power of The) Sin (Nature). (Romans 6:6-7 KJV, with emphasis)

Yet, some think the “spirit” (cf., Eph 2:2) of “Sin” was “destroyed” at the cross. Then others say the Sin-nature vacated or “went out” when “Christ came in.” These views are clearly not borne out by an abundance of Scripture.

Here in Rom. 6:6 (above, cf., 6:3) we see that the one who died with Christ was us; “our old man (old soul-self) was crucified with Him.” Our death has thereby made “the body of Sin” (the flesh) “of no effect.”

But how, is Sin “made of no effect”? This is because “Sin,” which remains “in the flesh” of the believer cannot tempt dead men.

Paul says the Lord has “condemned Sin IN The Flesh” (Rom 8:3), where it is confined.

“For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His Own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] Condemned Sin in the Flesh [Subdued, Overcame, Deprived It of Its Power over all who accept that sacrifice], (Romans 8:3 AMP)

So “Sin” has not been eradicated or evicted from “the flesh” and it will not be until our “flesh” body dies.

“... sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:15).

In this series we’ve well established by Rom 7 that “Sin” dwells “in the flesh” body of every man. By contrast, Christ came not into our flesh, but to dwell much deeper in man. Christ indwells the core of tri-part believers, into our human “spirit,” where we are now “one spirit” with Him (1Cor 6:17, cf., Jn 3:6).

1. “Regeneration” by “the Spirit” (Tit 3:5) occurs in our “spirit,” not in our “the flesh.”
2. Our soul’s mind is being “renewed day by day” (Rom 12:2, 2Cor 4:12).
3. “Sin” is ‘condemned ...”in the flesh” (Rom 8:3).

The focus of Roman 6 is clearly that it was us, as the believers, who died with Christ as to our “old man (our old soul self).” Our co-death with Christ did NOT “destroy” our sinful “body” or expel sin. Obviously, you as a reader are alive physically and you likely still commit acts of “Sin” on occasion (cf., 1Jn 1:8). We, now being regenerated in our spirit, still live in the presence of the Sin in the “body of this death” (Rom 7:24).

We, as to our “old man” have died with Christ and thus we are free from Sin’s POWER over us, and ... we have also been “made alive... in Christ” (1Cor 15:22). Being dead, we are free from Sin’s POWER - dead men are never tempted by Sin. Yes, we as believers are free from Sin’s Power, but we are not yet free of Sin’s PRESENCE and we will not be free of Sin’s presence until this body dies; or Rapture alive (1Thes 4:16-18). Dead or alive, “we shall be changed” (1Cor 15:51-52). It only then that we shall “exchange” this “mortal, corruptible,” “body of sin” for an “incorruptible” spirit-body, like Jesus’ in His resurrection.

Again, the Greek word “kartargeo,” translated “destroyed” in Romans 6:6 means “made of no effect.” This also applies to the believer’s relationship to “the Law.”

“now we are delivered from (Gk. kartargeo) the Law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit ...” (Rom 7:6).

The same Greek word is correctly translated as “of no effect” in Gal 5:4 (KJV). “Christ is Become of No Effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law...” Here Paul says, one who lives under “the Law” makes Christ of no benefit.

The Greek “kartargeo,” is translated “done away” and “abolished,” applying “the Law” four times (2 Cor 3:7, 11, 13, 14 KJV). The very same word, “kartargeo,” is translated “abolished,” in Eph 2:15 (KJV), then as “loosed” in Rom 7:2, and “delivered from” in Rom 7:6... all specifically applying specifically to “The 10 Commandments” of “the Law.”

E.g., “Having ABOLISHED (made of no effect) in his (Christ’s) flesh the enmity (opposition), even (which is by) THE LAW OF COMMANDMENTS ...” (Eph 2:15a)

Thankfully, the believer is dead to both “the Law” (Rom 7:4) and “Sin in the flesh” (Rom 8:3, Rom 6:11).

Our co-death with Christ has made “the Law,” which was contrary us, “of not effect.” Believers are free from the demands of the external written “Law” that EMPOWERED “Sin” and “killeth” (2Cor 3:6). Thus, believers are free totally from the “Power of” and “Dominion of” (Rom 6:14a) “Sin in the flesh.”

Our co-death with Christ has delivered us from the “Old Covenant (Law)” that is “Hostile to Us.”

“(Christ) having canceled out the Certificate of Debt consisting of decrees Against Us and which was Hostile to Us; and He (Christ) has taken it (the Law) out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” (Col 2:14)

In 2 Cor. 3:6-16 Paul draws these comparisons between the “Old Covenant” and “New Testament” (v6).

• The Old Covenant - “Law,” is External, written on “tables of stone” (v. 3, 7).

   - The New Testament “Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” is written IN the “the heart” (v. 3).

• The Old Covenant is of the outer “letter” (v. 6) 

- The New Testament is an inner relationship with the indwelling “Spirit of life” (v. 6)

• The Old Covenant “killeth” (v. 6)

      - The New Testament “Spirit... giveth life” (v.6)

• The Old Covenant is the “ministration of death” and “condemnation” (v. 7, 9)

      - The New Testament relationship is by the “ministration of Spirit” and “righteousness” (v. 8, 9)

• The Old Covenant - is “glorious” (v. 7, 9)

      - The New Testament relationship “exceeds” (v9), “remaineth,” and is “much more glorious” (v. 11)

• The Old Covenant “Law” is “abolished, done away,” (v7, 11, 13, 14)

But The New Testament relationship of “the Law (the spontaneous regulating power) of the Spirit of life in

Christ Jesus’ - ‘remains” (v11) in us.

A “Covenant” is a “promise” or “contract,” while a “Testament” is in a “last will and testament” after the death of the “testator” has died. Jesus is our Testator who rose from the dead to now live within us as our new life. We as believers are literal “heirs” of His life after His death and resurrection as “the life-giving spirit.”

“For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. ¹⁷ For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (Heb. 9:16-17)