For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

ROMANS 6:10KJV
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Romans 6:10 (KJV)

What does Romans 6:10 mean?

Romans 6:10 teaches that Jesus died to deal with sin once and for all, and now that he lives again, his life is fully devoted to God. The verse highlights a one-time, decisive event in Jesus’ death, followed by a new, ongoing relationship with God in his resurrection life.

Paul is writing to Christians in Rome, explaining how Jesus’ death and resurrection change the way believers think about sin and life. The verse draws a sharp contrast: Jesus’ death was a single act “unto sin,” but his resurrected life is continuous and entirely “unto God.” This helps the readers understand that Jesus’ work regarding sin is complete, and his new life sets a pattern for how believers can live for God.

The Greek behind Romans 6:10

  • ἁμαρτία (hamartia, “sin”): This word refers to sin in a broad sense, not just individual acts but the whole power or realm of sin. Paul’s use here shows that Jesus’ death was directed at breaking the hold of sin itself.
  • ἐφάπαξ (ephapax, “once”): This word means “once for all, one time only.” It stresses that Jesus’ death was a unique, unrepeatable event, not something that needs to happen again.
  • ζῇ (zē, “liveth”): This verb is in the present tense, showing ongoing action. Jesus’ resurrected life is continuous, not just a moment in the past, and is entirely oriented toward God.

Why Romans 6:10 matters

  • Romans 6:10 clarifies that Jesus’ death was a single, sufficient act to address sin, countering any idea that his sacrifice needs repeating.
  • The verse emphasizes the difference between Jesus’ relationship to sin (ended by his death) and his relationship to God (now ongoing and complete), helping readers see the finality of his victory over sin.
  • By connecting Jesus’ experience to the lives of believers, Paul prepares his readers to understand how they, too, can consider themselves “dead to sin but alive to God” (as he says in the next verse).

Where else these words appear

“once” Greek G2178 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
  • Hebrews 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
  • Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

“died” Greek G599 · used in 99 verses

  • Matthew 8:32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
  • John 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
  • Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

“liveth” Greek G2198 · used in 127 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
  • 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.